This is an old thread, but for those who have the same problem, try something like this.
- (NSInteger)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView numberOfRowsInSection:(NSInteger)section { if (tableView == _searchDisplayController.searchResultsTableView) { if (_searchResults.count == 0) { for (UIView *view in tableView.subviews) { if ([view isKindOfClass:[UILabel class]]) { ((UILabel *)view).text = @"YOUR_TEXT"; } } } return _searchResults.count; } else { return (_items.count == 0) ? 0 : _items.count; } }
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