Program guide system with video-on-demand browsing

• US 7,603,684 B1
• Filed: 03/04/1999
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry; Hunter B.
• Application Number:
  US09/262,870
• Time in Patent Office: 3,876 Days
• Field of Search: 725/39, 725/58, 725/101
• US Class Current: 725/39
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42228 the reprogrammable keys being displayed on a display screen in order to reduce the number of keys on the remote control device itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• 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 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• 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 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program and a program guide display. A viewer may use the program guide display to browse available video-on-demand (VOD) while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The viewer may browse through video-on-demand programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to order a given video-on-demand program, and set a desired broadcast time for that program.

Claims

1. An interactive television program guide system implemented on viewer television equipment having a main display screen, comprising:

means for displaying a given television program on the viewer television equipment;

means for displaying a partial screen program guide display on the viewer television equipment at the same time that said given television program is displayed, said program guide display including at least one video-on-demand program listing that is available for immediate display to the viewer;

means for displaying an indicator that a video clip preview is available for a given one of at least one video-on-demand program listing, wherein the indicator is associated with the video-on-demand program listing for which the video clip preview is available;

means for allowing a viewer to select at least one of the video-on-demand program listings; and

means for displaying a video-on-demand program immediately when the viewer selects said video-on-demand program listing.

2. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for displaying said program guide display as an overlay on top of said given program.

3. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for reducing the main display screen area occupied by said television program when the program guide display is active such that said television program may be viewed unobscured.

4. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for allowing a viewer to browse through additional video-on-demand program listings available in the program guide using remote control keys.

5. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 wherein the video-on-demand program listings are organized by category, further comprising means for allowing the viewer to browse through available categories in the program guide using remote control keys.

6. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for allowing a viewer to direct the program guide system to display the program guide display on said main display screen using a remote control key.

7. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for allowing a viewer to remove the program guide display from said main display screen and return to normal television viewing mode using a remote control key.

8. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for providing more detailed information about the video-on-demand program using a remote control key.

9. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for allowing a viewer to obtain more detailed information about a video-on-demand program by using a remote control key to display a detailed information screen on the main display screen.

11. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for allowing a viewer to change the television program shown on the viewer television equipment using remote control keys.

12. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises means for storing at least some of said video-on-demand program in a home storage device.

13. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 12 wherein the system further comprises means for watching said video-on-demand program stored in said home storage device.

14. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for indicating that a program displayed in the program guide display is available on demand.

15. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 14 wherein the indicating means is an icon.

31. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 further comprising:

means for allowing the viewer to request the video clip preview of the given video-on-demand program.

32. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 wherein the indicating indicator is an icon.

33. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 31 further comprising means for displaying the requested video clip preview in a video window.

34. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 33 further comprising means for automatically displaying a purchase screen immediately after said video clip preview is shown.

35. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 31 further comprising means for displaying the requested video clip preview in a full screen video window.

36. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 31 further comprising means for displaying the requested video clip preview in a partial screen video window while said program guide display is displayed.

37. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 36 further comprising means for displaying the given television program while said partial screen video window and said program guide display are displayed.

10. An interactive television program guide system implemented on viewer television equipment having a main display screen, comprising:

means for displaying a given television program on the viewer television equipment;

means for displaying a partial screen program guide display on the viewer television equipment at the same time that said given television program is displayed, said program guide display including at least one video-on-demand program listing that is available for immediate display to a viewer;

means for displaying an indicator that a video clip preview is available for a given one of the at least one video-on-demand program listing, wherein the indicator is associated with the video-on-demand program listing for which the video clip preview is available;

means for allowing the viewer to order a video-on-demand program associated with said at least one video-on-demand program listing; and

means for displaying said video-on-demand program immediately in response to receiving said order from said viewer.

108. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 10 further comprising:

means for allowing the viewer to obtain more detailed information about the video-on-demand program by using remote control info key to display a detailed information screen on the main display screen, and

means for allowing the viewer to order the video-on-demand program on the detailed information screen using a remote control key.

109. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 10 further comprising means for requiring the viewer to enter a parental control code to order the video-on-demand program.

110. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 10 wherein the means for allowing a viewer to order a video-on-demand program further comprises means for displaying a display screen requiring viewer input to complete said order.

111. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 10 wherein the means for allowing a viewer to order a video-on-demand program further comprises means for displaying an order confirmation display screen.

112. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 111 wherein the means for displaying an order confirmation display screen further comprises means for allowing said viewer to confirm said order.

16. An interactive television video-on-demand program guide system implemented on viewer television equipment having a main display screen comprising:

means for displaying a program guide display on the viewer television equipment that displays at least one video-on-demand program listing;

means for allowing a viewer to advance order a video-on-demand program represented by said video-on-demand program listing; and

means for allowing said viewer to input a start-time to display said video-on-demand program in response to receiving a request from said viewer to advance order said video-on-demand program, wherein the start-time is not a predetermined broadcast time.

17. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises means for allowing a viewer to select a start-time to watch said video-on-demand program.

18. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises means for allowing a viewer to select a start-time for said video-on-demand program by selecting said start-time from a list of start-times provided by said program guide.

19. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises means for allowing a viewer to select a start-time for said video-on-demand program by entering said start-time with a set of numeric input keys on a remote control.

20. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises means for storing at least a portion of said video-on-demand program in a home storage device when said viewer advance orders the video-on-demand program.

21. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises means for storing all of said video-on-demand program in a home storage device when said viewer advance orders said video-on-demand program.

22. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein said ordering means provides a purchase price for said video-on-demand program, the purchase price being dependent on whether said viewer advance orders said video-on-demand program.

23. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 22 wherein said purchase price is discounted when said video on demand program is advance ordered.

24. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises:

means selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

means for reminding said viewer of a selected start-time for said ordered video-on-demand program; and

means for automatically starting said ordered video-on-demand program at said selected start-time.

25. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises:

means for selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

means for reminding said viewer of a selected start-time for said ordered video-on-demand program; and

means for allowing the viewer to watch said ordered program immediately from said reminding means.

26. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises;

means selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

means for reminding said viewer of a selected start-time for said ordered video-on-demand program; and

means for allowing said viewer to acknowledge said start-time indicated by said reminding means and subsequently watch said ordered program at said selected start-time.

27. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises:

means for selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

means for reminding said viewer of a selected start-time for said ordered video-on-demand program; and

means for allowing said viewer to change said start-time indicated by said reminding means to a new start-time, said ordered video-on-demand program automatically starting at said new start-time.

28. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises:

means for selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

means for reminding said viewer of a selected start-time for said ordered video-on-demand program; and

means for allowing said viewer to change said start-time indicated by said reminding means to a new start-time by selecting said new start-time from a list of start-times provided by said program guide, said ordered video-on-demand program automatically starting at said new start-time.

29. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises:

means for selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by the viewer;

means for reminding said viewer of a selected start-time for said ordered video-on-demand program; and

means for allowing said viewer to change said start-time indicated by said reminding means to a new start-time by entering a viewer-defined start-time, said ordered video-on-demand program automatically starting at said viewer-defined start-time.

30. The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 16 wherein the system further comprises:

means for selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

means for reminding said viewer of a selected start-time for said ordered video-on-demand program; and

means for allowing said viewer to cancel said ordered program indicated by said reminding means.

38. A method for using an interactive television program guide system implemented on viewer television equipment having a main display screen comprising the steps of:

simultaneously displaying on the main display screen a television program and a partial screen program guide display including at least one video-on-demand program listing that is available for immediate display to a viewer;

allowing the viewer to browse through available video-on-demand program listings in the program guide;

displaying an indicator that a video clip preview is available for a given one of the at least one video-on-demand program listing, wherein the indicator is associated with the video-on-demand program listing for which the video clip preview is available;

allowing the viewer to select at least one of the video-on-demand program listings; and

displaying a video-on-demand program immediately when said viewer selects said video-on-demand program listing.

39. The method defined in claim 38 wherein said simultaneously displaying further comprises displaying the program guide display as an overlay on top of said given television program.

40. The method defined in claim 38 wherein said simultaneously displaying further comprises reducing the main display screen area occupied by said television program when said program guide display is active such that said television program may be viewed unobscured.

41. The method defined in claim 38 wherein the video-on-demand program listings in the program guide are organized by category, said browsing further comprising allowing the viewer to browse through the available categories in the program guide display using remote control keys.

42. The method defined in claim 38 wherein said simultaneously displaying step further comprises displaying said program guide on said main display screen when the viewer presses a remote control key.

43. The method defined in claim 38 wherein said simultaneously displaying further comprises removing the program guide display from the main display screen and returning to normal television viewing mode when the viewer presses a remote control key.

44. The method defined in claim 38 wherein the browsing further comprises providing the viewer with more detailed information about said video-on-demand program when the viewer presses a remote control key.

45. The method defined in claim 44 wherein said providing further comprises displaying a detailed information screen on the main display screen.

46. The method defined in claim 38 further comprising allowing the viewer to watch other available television programs using remote control keys.

47. The method defined in claim 38 further comprising storing at least some of said video-on-demand program in a home storage device.

48. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising watching said video-on-demand-program stored in said home storage device.

49. The method defined in claim 38 wherein said simultaneously displaying further comprises indicating that the program displayed in the program guide display is available on demand.

50. The method defined in claim 49 wherein said indicating further comprises using an icon.

51. The method defined in claim 50 further comprising:

allowing the viewer to request the video clip preview of the given video-on-demand program represented by said video-on-demand program listing.

52. The method defined in claim 38 wherein the indicator comprises an icon.

53. The method defined in claim 51 wherein said requesting further comprises displaying the requested video clip preview in a video window.

54. The method defined in claim 53 wherein said requesting further comprises automatically displaying a purchase screen immediately after said video clip preview is shown.

55. The method defined in claim 51 wherein said requesting further comprises displaying the requested video clip preview in a full screen video window.

56. The method defined in claim 51 wherein said requesting further comprises displaying the requested video clip preview in a partial screen video window while said program guide display is displayed.

57. The method defined in claim 56 wherein said requesting further comprises displaying the given television program while said partial screen video window and said program guide display are displayed.

58. A method for providing an interactive television video-on-demand program guide system implemented on viewer television equipment having a main display screen comprising:

displaying a program guide display on the viewer television equipment that displays at least one video-on-demand program listing;

allowing a viewer to advance order a video-on-demand program represented by said video-on-demand program listing; and

allowing said viewer to input a start-time to display said video-on-demand program in response to receiving a request from said viewer to advance order said video-on-demand program, wherein the start-time is not a predetermined broadcast time.

59. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises allowing the viewer to select a start-time to watch said video-on-demand program.

60. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises allowing a viewer to select a start-time for said video-on-demand program by selecting said start-time from a list of start-times provided by said program guide.

61. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises allowing a viewer to select a start-time for said video-on-demand program by entering said start-time with a set of numeric input keys on a remote control.

62. The method defined in claim 58 wherein the program guide system further comprises a home storage device, said method further comprising storing at least a portion of said ordered video-on-demand program in said home storage device when said viewer advance orders said video-on-demand program.

63. The method defined in claim 58 wherein the program guide system further comprises a home storage device, said method further comprising storing all of said video-on-demand program in said local storage device when said viewer advance orders said video-on-demand program.

64. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises providing a purchase price for said video-on-demand program, said purchase price being dependent on whether said viewer advance orders said video-on-demand program.

65. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises providing a purchase price for said video-on-demand program, said purchase price being reduced when said viewer advance orders said video-on-demand program.

66. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises;

selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

reminding a viewer of a start-time for said ordered program;

automatically starting said ordered video-on-demand program at said viewer selected start-time.

67. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

reminding the viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to watch said ordered program immediately from said reminding step.

68. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to acknowledge said start-time indicated by said reminding means and subsequently watch said ordered program at the selected start-time.

69. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by the viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to change said start-time indicated by said reminding means to a new start-time, said ordered video-on-demand program automatically starting at said new start-time.

70. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to change said start-time indicated by said reminding means to a new start-time by selecting said new start-time from a list of start-times provided by said program guide, said ordered video-on-demand program automatically starting at said new start-time.

71. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

means for allowing said viewer to change said start-time indicated by said reminding means to a new start-time by entering a viewer-defined start-time, said ordered video-on-demand program automatically starting at said viewer-defined start-time.

72. The method defined in claim 58 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for a video-on-demand program ordered by a viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to cancel said ordered program indicated by said reminding means.

73. Machine-readable media for use in an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on viewer television equipment of a viewer, said viewer television equipment comprising an audio output and a video output, wherein said media is encoded with machine-readable instructions for performing the method comprising;

simultaneously displaying a television program and a partial screen program guide display including at least one video-on-demand program listing that is available for immediate display to the viewer;

allowing the viewer to browse through available video-on-demand program listings in the program guide;

displaying an indicator that a video clip preview in available for a given one of the at least one video-on-demand program listing, wherein the indicator is associated with the video-on-demand program listing for which the video clip preview is available;

allowing the viewer to select one of the video-on-demand program listings; and

displaying a video-on-demand program immediately when the viewer selects said video-on-demand program listing.

74. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 wherein said simultaneously displaying further comprises displaying the program guide display as an overlay on top of said given television program.

75. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 wherein said simultaneously displaying further comprises reducing the main display screen area occupied by said television program when said program guide display is active such that said television program may be viewed unobscured.

76. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 wherein the video-on-demand program listings in the program guide are organized by category, said browsing further comprising allowing said viewer to browse through the available categories in the program guide display using remote control keys.

77. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 wherein said simultaneously displaying step further comprises displaying said program guide on the main display screen when the viewer presses a remote control key.

78. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 wherein said simultaneously displaying further comprises removing the program guide display from the main display screen and returning to normal television viewing mode when the viewer presses a remote control key.

79. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 wherein said browsing further comprises providing the viewer with more detailed information about said video-on-demand program when the viewer presses a remote control key.

80. The machine-readable media defined in claim 79 wherein said providing further comprises displaying a detailed information screen on the main display screen.

81. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 wherein the method further comprises allowing the viewer to watch other available television programs using remote control keys.

82. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 further comprising storing at least some of said video-on-demand program in a home storage device.

83. The machine-readable media defined in claim 82 wherein the method further comprises allowing the viewer to watch the video-on-demand-program stored in the home storage device.

84. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 wherein said simultaneously displaying further comprises indicating that the program displayed in the program guide display is available on demand.

85. The machine-readable media defined in claim 84 wherein said indicating further comprises using an icon.

86. The machine-readable media defined in claim 78 further comprising:

allowing the viewer to request the video clip preview of the given video-on-demand program.

87. The machine-readable media defined in claim 73 wherein said indicator comprises an icon.

88. The machine-readable media defined in claim 86 wherein said requesting further comprises displaying the requested video clip preview in a video window.

89. The machine-readable media defined in claim 88 wherein said requesting further comprises automatically displaying a purchase screen immediately after said video clip preview is shown.

90. The machine-readable media defined in claim 86 wherein said requesting further comprises displaying the requested video clip preview in a full screen video window.

91. The machine-readable media defined in claim 86 wherein said requesting further comprises displaying the requested video clip preview in a partial screen video window while the program guide display is displayed.

92. The machine-readable media defined in claim 91 wherein said requesting further comprises displaying the given television program while said partial screen video window and the program guide display are displayed.

93. Machine-readable media for use in an interactive television video-on-demand program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on viewer television equipment of a viewer, said viewer television equipment comprising an audio output and a video output, wherein said media is encoded with machine-readable instructions for performing the method comprising:

displaying a program guide display on the viewer television equipment that displays at least one video-on-demand program listing;

allowing the viewer to advance order a video-on-demand program represented by said video-on-demand program listing; and

allowing the viewer to input a start-time to display said video-on-demand program in response to receiving a request from the viewer to advance order said video-on-demand program, wherein the start-time is not a predetermined broadcast time.

94. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises allowing said viewer to select a start-time to watch said video-on-demand program.

95. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises allowing said viewer to select a start-time for said video-on-demand program by selecting said start-time from a list of start-times provided by said program guide.

96. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises allowing said viewer to select a start-time for said video-on-demand program by entering said start-time with a set of numeric input keys on a remote control.

97. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said program guide system further comprises a home storage device, said method further comprising storing at least a portion of said ordered video-on-demand program in said home storage device when the viewer advance orders said video-on-demand program.

98. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said program guide system further comprises a home storage device, said method further comprising storing all of said video-on-demand program in said home storage device when said viewer advance orders the video-on-demand program.

99. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises providing a purchase price for said video-on-demand program, said purchase price being dependent on whether said viewer advance orders said video-on-demand program.

100. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises providing a purchase price for said video-on-demand program, said purchase price being reduced when said viewer advance orders said video-on-demand program.

101. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for said video-on-demand program ordered by said viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program;

automatically starting said ordered video-on-demand program at said viewer selected start-time.

102. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for said video-on-demand program ordered by the viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to watch said ordered program immediately from said reminding step.

103. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for said video-on-demand program ordered by said viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to acknowledge said start-time indicated by said reminding means and subsequently watch said ordered program at the selected start-time.

104. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for said video-on-demand program ordered by the viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to change said start-time indicated by said reminding means to a new start-time, said ordered video-on-demand program automatically starting at said new start-time.

105. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for said video-on-demand program ordered by said viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to change said start-time indicated by said reminding means to a new start-time by selecting said new start-time from a list of start-times provided by said program guide, said ordered video-on-demand program automatically starting at said new start-time.

106. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for said video-on-demand program ordered by the viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to change said start-time indicated by said reminding means to a new start-time by entering a viewer-defined start-time, said ordered video-on-demand program automatically starting at said viewer-defined start-time.

107. The machine-readable media defined in claim 93 wherein said ordering further comprises:

selecting a start-time for said video-on-demand program ordered by said viewer;

reminding said viewer of said start-time for said ordered program; and

allowing said viewer to cancel said ordered program indicated by said reminding means.

113. A method for using an interactive television program guide system implemented on viewer television equipment having a main display screen comprising the steps of:

simultaneously displaying on the main display screen a television program and a partial screen program guide display including at least one video-on-demand program listing that is available for immediate display to a viewer;

allowing the viewer to browse through available video-on-demand program listings in the program guide;

displaying an indicator that a video clip preview is available for a given one of the at least one video-on-demand program listing, wherein the indicator is associated with the video-on-demand program listing for which the video clip preview is available;

allowing said viewer to order a video-on-demand program associated with said at least one video-on-demand program listing; and

displaying said video-on-demand program immediately in response to receiving said order from said viewer.

114. The method defined in claim 113 wherein said allowing said viewer to browse further comprises:

displaying a detailed information screen on the main display screen, wherein the detailed information screen provides the viewer with more detailed information about a video-on-demand program; and

allowing the viewer to place an order for the video-on-demand program shown on the detailed information screen using a remote control key.

115. The method defined in claim 113 wherein said ordering further comprises entering a parental control code.

116. The method defined in claim 113 wherein said allowing a viewer to order a video-on-demand program further comprises displaying a display screen requiring viewer input to complete said order.

117. The method defined in claim 113 wherein said allowing a viewer to order a video-on-demand program further comprises displaying an order confirmation display screen.

118. The method defined in claim 117 wherein said displaying an order confirmation display screen further comprises allowing said viewer to confirm said order.

119. Machine-readable media for use in an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on viewer television equipment of a viewer, said viewer television equipment comprising an audio output and a video output, wherein said media is encoded with machine-readable instructions for performing the method comprising:

simultaneously displaying on the main display screen a television program and a partial screen program guide display including at least one video-on-demand program listing that is available for immediate display to the viewer;

allowing said viewer to browse through available video-on-demand program listings in the program guide;

displaying an indicator that a video clip preview is available for a given one of the at least one video-on-demand program listing, wherein the indicator is associated with the video-on-demand program listing for which the video clip preview is available;

allowing said viewer to order a video-on-demand program associated with said at least one video-on-demand program listing; and

displaying said video-on-demand program immediately in response to receiving said order from said viewer.

120. The machine-readable media defined in claim 119 wherein said allowing said viewer to browse further comprises:

displaying a detailed information screen on the main display screen, wherein the detailed information screen provides the viewer with more detailed information about said video-on-demand program; and

allowing the viewer to place an order for the video-on-demand program shown on the detailed information screen using a remote control key.

121. The machine-readable media defined in claim 119 wherein said ordering further comprises allowing the viewer to enter a parental control code.

122. The machine-readable media defined in claim 119 wherein said allowing a viewer to order a video-on-demand program further comprises displaying a display screen requiring viewer input to complete said order.

123. The machine-readable media defined in claim 119 wherein said allowing a viewer to order a video-on-demand program further comprises displaying an order confirmation display screen.

124. The machine-readable media defined in claim 123 wherein said displaying an order confirmation display screen further comprises allowing said viewer to confirm said order.