A method and apparatus for performing global searching using second display devices. In an IPTV system, a second display application is typically a more complex application. There are typically many features, which increase complexity when a user attempts to find an asset, a service, a utility, a shortcut, or other information and/or content of the second display application. The use of a global search tool enhances the usage of the second display application, especially when a utility is buried in the second display application, making that utility more difficult to access.