Personal television channel system

• US 6,774,926 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2000
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UV Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D., Treyz, G. Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Srivastava, Vivek
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEMICCO, MATTHEW R
• Application Number:
  US09/518,844
• Time in Patent Office: 1,621 Days
• Field of Search: 725/141, 725/133, 725/153, 725/48, 725/87, 725/109-110, 348/14-1-, 348/14-8-, 348/14.11
• US Class Current: 348/14.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4586 Content update operation triggered locally, e.g. by comparing the version of software modules in a DVB carousel to the version stored locally deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17345 Control of the passage of the selected programme

Abstract

A system is provided in which contributors such as individuals in the home may create personal television channel programming. Personal television programs may be distributed to multiple viewers over a communications network such as the Internet. Personal television program schedule information may be stored in a database that is also used to store program schedule information for traditional television channels. Viewers may use a program guide or other interactive television application to view program schedule information, to set reminders, to set favorites, to establish parental controls, and perform other such functions. Links may be provided from displayed personal television channels to web sites, chat rooms, e-mail applications, and other such features.

Claims

1. A method for using a system in which personal television programs are scheduled for distribution to viewers on personal television channels, comprising:

providing an opportunity for different contributors who are individuals to supply personal television program schedule information to a program schedule database that indicates particular future times and dates at which certain personal television programs are to be available for viewing by the viewers on viewer equipment;

providing the viewers with access to the personal television program schedule information at the viewer equipment;

providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment of each of the viewers over a communications network; and

providing each of the contributors with an opportunity to provide the program schedule database with a description of that contributor'"'"'s personal television channel.

2. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising allowing the viewers to access the personal television program schedule information using a program guide implemented on a set-top box connected to a television.

3. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising allowing the viewers to access the personal television program schedule information using an on-line program guide.

4. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing a display screen to the viewers that contains a list of certain recommended personal television channels.

5. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of certain sports-related personal television channels.

6. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of both traditional television programs and personal television programs.

7. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs; and

allowing a viewer to display a movable highlight region in the screen on top of certain desired personal television programs.

8. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs;

allowing a viewer to display a movable highlight region in the screen on top of certain desired personal television programs; and

allowing the viewer to access additional information for those programs by pressing a remote control button.

9. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing the viewers with an opportunity to search through the personal television program schedule information in the program schedule database to locate desired personal television programs based on title information.

10. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing the viewers with an opportunity to search through the personal television program schedule information in the program schedule database to locate desired programs based on category information.

11. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the personal television programs are provided on personal television channels, the method further comprising providing each of the viewers with an opportunity to view a description of the personal television channels.

12. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs; and

providing the viewers with an opportunity to select a given one of the personal television programs from the list for automatic recording on the viewer equipment.

13. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing the viewers with an opportunity to select certain personal television programs as favorites.

14. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the personal television programs are provided on personal television channels, and wherein the method further comprises providing the viewers with an opportunity to select certain personal television channels as favorites.

15. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying a list of programming on the viewer equipment, wherein the list includes both traditional television programs and personal television programs, and wherein at least some of the personal television channels are available for viewing on demand.

16. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:

displaying video for one of the personal television programs on the viewer equipment; and

displaying linking information as an overlay on top of the displayed video.

17. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing a link from a personal television program to a web site.

18. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:

displaying video for a given one of the personal television programs on the viewer equipment; and

providing a viewer-selectable link related to the given personal television program.

19. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a list of personal television programs on the viewer equipment;

allowing the viewer to select a given one of the personal television programs; and

displaying an information screen containing information on the selected personal television program.

20. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:

allowing the viewer to select a given one of the personal television programs; and

displaying a viewer-selectable option that tunes the viewer equipment to a channel related to the given one of the personal television programs.

21. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing the viewers with an opportunity to locate personal television programs in the program schedule database based on the name of the contributor.

22. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing the viewers with an opportunity to block personal television programs based on parental control settings.

23. The method defined in claim 1 wherein providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment comprises providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment in real time.

24. The method defined in claim 1 wherein providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment comprises providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment over the Internet in real time.

25. The method defined in claim 1 wherein providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment comprises:

providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to a cable system headend over the Internet in real time; and

distributing the personal television programs from the cable system headend to the viewer equipment of the viewers as an MPEG stream.

26. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising distributing the personal television program schedule information to the viewer equipment by distributing the personal television program schedule information to a plurality of television distribution facilities from the program schedule database by satellite and by distributing the personal television program schedule information from each of the television distribution facilities to a plurality of viewers who are associated with that television distribution facility.

27. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising distributing the personal television program schedule information to the viewer equipment by simultaneously distributing the personal television program schedule information to a plurality of cable system headends from the program schedule database by satellite and by distributing the personal television program schedule information from each of the cable system headends to a plurality of viewers who are associated with that cable system headend.

28. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the viewer equipment of each viewer comprises a set-top box, the method further comprising distributing the personal television program schedule information to the set-top box of each viewer by simultaneously distributing the personal television program schedule information to a plurality of cable system headends from the program schedule database by satellite and by distributing the personal television program schedule information from each of the cable system headends to a plurality of set-top boxes of viewers who are associated with that cable system headend.

29. A system in which personal television programs are scheduled for distribution to viewers on personal television channels, the system comprising:

means for providing an opportunity for different contributors who are individuals to supply personal television program schedule information to a program schedule database that indicates particular future times and dates at which certain personal television programs are to be available for viewing by the viewers on viewer equipment;

means for providing the viewers with access to the personal television program schedule information at the viewer equipment;

means for providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment of each of the viewers over a communications network; and

means for providing each of the contributors with an opportunity to provide the program schedule database with a description of that contributor'"'"'s personal television channel.

30. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for allowing the viewers to access the personal television program schedule information using a program guide implemented on a set-top box connected to a television.

31. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for allowing the viewers to access the personal television program schedule information using an on-line program guide.

32. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for providing a display screen to the viewers that contains a list of certain recommended personal television channels.

33. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of certain sports-related personal television channels.

34. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of both traditional television programs and personal television programs.

35. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising:

means for displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs; and

means for allowing a viewer to display a movable highlight region in the screen on top of certain desired personal television programs.

36. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising:

means for displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs;

means for allowing a viewer to display a movable highlight region in the screen on top of certain desired personal television programs; and

means for allowing the viewer to access additional information for those programs by pressing a remote control button.

37. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for providing the viewers with an opportunity to search through the personal television program schedule information in the program schedule database to locate desired personal television programs based on title information.

38. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for providing the viewers with an opportunity to search through the personal television program schedule information in the program schedule database to locate desired programs based on category information.

39. The system defined in claim 29 wherein the personal television programs are provided on personal television channels, the system further comprising means for providing each of the viewers with an opportunity to view a description of the personal television channels.

40. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising:

means for displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs; and

means for providing the viewers with an opportunity to select a given one of the personal television programs from the list for automatic recording on the viewer equipment.

41. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for providing the viewers with an opportunity to select certain personal television programs as favorites.

42. The system defined in claim 29 wherein the personal television programs are provided on personal television channels, and wherein the system further comprises means for providing the viewers with an opportunity to select certain personal television channels as favorites.

43. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for displaying a list of programming on the viewer equipment, wherein the list includes both traditional television programs and personal television programs, and wherein at least some of the personal television channels are available for viewing on demand.

44. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising:

means for displaying video for one of the personal television programs on the viewer equipment; and

means for displaying linking information as an overlay on top of the displayed video.

45. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for providing a link from a personal television program to a web site.

46. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising:

means for displaying video for a given one of the personal television programs on the viewer equipment; and

means for providing a viewer-selectable link related to the given personal television program.

47. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising:

means for displaying a list of personal television programs on the viewer equipment;

means for allowing the viewer to select a given one of the personal television programs; and

means for displaying an information screen containing information on the selected personal television program.

48. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising:

means for allowing the viewer to select a given one of the personal television programs; and

means for displaying a viewer-selectable option that tunes the viewer equipment to a channel related to the given one of the personal television programs.

49. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for providing the viewers with an opportunity to locate personal television programs in the program schedule database based on the name of the contributor.

50. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for providing the viewers with an opportunity to block personal television programs based on parental control settings.

51. The system defined in claim 29 wherein the means for providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment comprises means for providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment in real time.

52. The system defined in claim 29 wherein the means for providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment comprises means for providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment over the Internet in real time.

53. The system defined in claim 29 wherein the means for providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment comprises:

means for providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to a cable system headend over the Internet in real time; and

means for distributing the personal television programs from the cable system headend to the viewer equipment of the viewers as an MPEG stream.

54. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for distributing the personal television program schedule information to the viewer equipment by distributing the personal television program schedule information to a plurality of television distribution facilities from the program schedule database by satellite and by distributing the personal television program schedule information from each of the television distribution facilities to a plurality of viewers who are associated with that television distribution facility.

55. The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for distributing the personal television program schedule information to the viewer equipment by simultaneously distributing the personal television program schedule information to a plurality of cable system headends from the program schedule database by satellite and by distributing the personal television program schedule information from each of the cable system headends to a plurality of viewers who are associated with that cable system headend.

56. The system defined in claim 29, wherein the viewer equipment of each viewer comprises a set-top box, the system further comprising means for distributing the personal television program schedule information to the set-top box of each viewer by simultaneously distributing the personal television program schedule information to a plurality of cable system headends from the program schedule database by satellite and by distributing the personal television program schedule information from each of the cable system headends to a plurality of set-top boxes of viewers who are associated with that cable system headend.

57. A system in which personal television programs are scheduled for distribution to viewers on personal television channels, comprising:

contributor equipment that allows different contributors who are individuals to supply personal television program schedule information and a description of that contributor'"'"'s personal television channel to a program schedule database, wherein the personal television program schedule information indicates particular future times and dates at which certain personal television programs are to be available for viewing by the viewers;

viewer equipment that provides the viewers with access to the personal television program schedule information; and

a communications network connected to the contributor equipment and the viewer equipment, wherein the communications network provides the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment of each of the viewers.

58. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment comprises a set-top box connected to a television, and wherein the viewer equipment allows the viewers to access the personal television program schedule information using a program guide implemented on the set-top box.

59. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment allows the viewers to access the personal television program schedule information using an on-line program guide.

60. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment provides a display screen to the viewers that contains a list of certain recommended personal television channels.

61. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment displays a screen to the viewers that contains a list of certain sports-related personal television channels.

62. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment displays a screen to the viewers that contains a list of both traditional television programs and personal television programs.

63. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment:

displays a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs; and

allows a viewer to display a movable highlight region in the screen on top of certain desired personal television programs.

64. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment:

displays a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs;

allows a viewer to display a movable highlight region in the screen on top of certain desired personal television programs; and

allows the viewer to access additional information for those programs by pressing a remote control button.

65. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment further provides the viewers with an opportunity to search through the personal television program schedule information in the program schedule database to locate desired personal television programs based on title information.

66. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment further provides the viewers with an opportunity to search through the personal television program schedule information in the program schedule database to locate desired programs based on category information.

67. The system defined in claim 57 wherein the personal television programs are provided on personal television channels, and wherein the viewer equipment provides each of the viewers with an opportunity to view a description of the personal television channels.

68. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment:

displays a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs; and

provides the viewers with an opportunity to select a given one of the personal television programs from the list for automatic recording on the viewer equipment.

69. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment further provides the viewers with an opportunity to select certain personal television programs as favorites.

70. The system defined in claim 57 wherein the personal television programs are provided on personal television channels, and wherein the viewer equipment further provides the viewers with an opportunity to select certain personal television channels as favorites.

71. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment displays a list of programming that includes both traditional television programs and personal television programs, and wherein at least some of the personal television channels are available for viewing on demand.

72. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment:

displays video for one of the personal television programs; and

displays linking information as an overlay on top of the displayed video.

73. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment further provides on a screen a link from a personal television program to a web site.

74. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment:

displays video for a given one of the personal television programs; and

provides a viewer-selectable link related to the given personal television program.

75. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment:

displays a list of personal television programs;

allows the viewer to select a given one of the personal television programs; and

displays an information screen containing information on the selected personal television program.

76. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment:

allows the viewer to select a given one of the personal television programs; and

displays a viewer-selectable option that allows the user to tune the viewer equipment to a channel related to the given one of the personal television programs.

77. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment further provides the viewers with an opportunity to locate personal television programs in the program schedule database based on the name of the contributor.

78. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment further provides the viewers with an opportunity to block personal television programs based on parental control settings.

79. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the communications network provides the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment in real time.

80. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the communications network is the Internet and provides the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment in real time.

81. The system defined in claim 57, further comprising a cable system headend, and wherein the communications network is the Internet and provides the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the cable system headend in real time, and wherein the communications network provides the personal television programs from the cable system headend to the viewer equipment of the viewers as an MPEG stream.

82. The system defined in claim 57, further comprising a plurality of television distribution facilities, and wherein the communications network provides the personal television program schedule information from the program schedule database to the plurality of television distribution facilities by satellite, and wherein the communications network provides the personal television program schedule information from each of the television distribution facilities to a plurality of viewers who are associated with that television distribution facility.

83. The system defined in claim 57, further comprising a plurality of cable system headends, and wherein the communications network simultaneously provides the personal television program schedule information to the plurality of cable system headends from the program schedule database by satellite, and wherein the communications network provides the personal television program schedule information from each of the cable system headends to a plurality of viewers who are associated with that cable system headend.

84. The system defined in claim 57, wherein the viewer equipment of each viewer comprises a set-top box, and wherein the communications network provides the personal television program schedule information from the program schedule database to a plurality of cable system headends by satellite, and wherein the communications network provides the personal television program schedule information from each of the cable system headends to a plurality of set-top boxes of viewers who are associated with that cable system headend.

85. Machine-readable media for use in a system in which personal television programs are scheduled for distribution to viewers on personal television channels, wherein the machine-readable media is encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for:

providing an opportunity for different contributors who are individuals to supply personal television program schedule information to a program schedule database that indicates particular future times and dates at which certain personal television programs are to be available for viewing by the viewers on viewer equipment;

providing the viewers with access to the personal television program schedule information at the viewer equipment;

providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment of each of the viewers over a communications network; and

providing each of the contributors with an opportunity to provide the program schedule database with a description of that contributor'"'"'s personal television channel.

86. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for allowing the viewers to access the personal television program schedule information using a program guide implemented on a set-top box connected to a television.

87. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for allowing the viewers to access the personal television program schedule information using an on-line program guide.

88. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing a display screen to the viewers that contains a list of certain recommended personal television channels.

89. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of certain sports-related personal television channels.

90. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of both traditional television programs and personal television programs.

91. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for:

displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs; and

allowing a viewer to display a movable highlight region in the screen on top of certain desired personal television programs.

92. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for:

displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs;

allowing a viewer to display a movable highlight region in the screen on top of certain desired personal television programs; and

allowing the viewer to access additional information for those programs by pressing a remote control button.

93. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing the viewers with an opportunity to search through the personal television program schedule information in the program schedule database to locate desired personal television programs based on title information.

94. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing the viewers with an opportunity to search through the personal television program schedule information in the program schedule database to locate desired programs based on category information.

95. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the personal television programs are provided on personal television channels, and wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing each of the viewers with an opportunity to view a description of the personal television channels.

96. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for:

displaying a screen to the viewers that contains a list of the personal television programs; and

providing the viewers with an opportunity to select a given one of the personal television programs from the list for automatic recording on the viewer equipment.

97. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing the viewers with an opportunity to select certain personal television programs as favorites.

98. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the personal television programs are provided on personal television channels, and wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing the viewers with an opportunity to select certain personal television channels as favorites.

99. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for displaying a list of programming on the viewer equipment, wherein the list includes both traditional television programs and personal television programs, and wherein at least some of the personal television channels are available for viewing on demand.

100. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for:

displaying video for one of the personal television programs on the viewer equipment; and

displaying linking information as an overlay on top of the displayed video.

101. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing a link from a personal television program to a web site.

102. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for:

displaying video for a given one of the personal television programs on the viewer equipment; and

providing a viewer-selectable link related to the given personal television program.

103. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for:

displaying a list of personal television programs on the viewer equipment;

allowing the viewer to select a given one of the personal television programs; and

displaying an information screen containing information on the selected personal television program.

104. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for:

allowing the viewer to select a given one of the personal television programs; and

displaying a viewer-selectable option that tunes the viewer equipment to a channel related to the given one of the personal television programs.

105. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing the viewers with an opportunity to locate personal television programs in the program schedule database based on the name of the contributor.

106. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing the viewers with an opportunity to block personal television programs based on parental control settings.

107. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment in real time.

108. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to the viewer equipment over the Internet in real time.

109. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for:

providing the personal television programs from the contributor equipment of different individual contributors to a cable system headend over the Internet in real time; and

distributing the personal television programs from the cable system headend to the viewer equipment of the viewers as an MPEG stream.

110. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for distributing the personal television program schedule information to the viewer equipment by distributing the personal television program schedule information to a plurality of television distribution facilities from the program schedule database by satellite and by distributing the personal television program schedule information from each of the television distribution facilities to a plurality of viewers who are associated with that television distribution facility.

111. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for distributing the personal television program schedule information to the viewer equipment by simultaneously distributing the personal television program schedule information to a plurality of cable system headends from the program schedule database by satellite and by distributing the personal television program schedule information from each of the cable system headends to a plurality of viewers who are associated with that cable system headend.

112. The machine-readable media defined in claim 85, wherein the viewer equipment comprises a set-top box, and wherein the machine-readable media is further encoded with machine-readable instructions thereon for distributing the personal television program schedule information to the set-top box of each viewer by simultaneously distributing the personal television program schedule information to a plurality of cable system headends from the program schedule database by satellite and by distributing the personal television program schedule information from each of the cable system headends to a plurality of set-top boxes of viewers who are associated with that cable system headend.