Internet television program guide system
An Internet television program guide system is provided that allows a user at a multimedia system to access information related to television programs over an Internet communications link. The user can view television program guide listings and related video stills and video clips. The user can perform database searches on the program guide listings (e.g., to search for a particular type of television program). If desired, the user can select an option that directs the multimedia system to tune directly to a television channel for a selected program or to a related television program guide or movie guide service on a television channel. The user can order pay-per-view events using the system.
1 - 80 . (canceled)
81 . A method for searching for a listing in an interactive television program guide, the method comprising:
receiving a search text string;
receiving a selection of a search field from a plurality of available search fields;
searching for at least one listing among a plurality of program listings, wherein the at least one listing comprises the search text string in a field of the listing corresponding to the selected search field; and
displaying an interactive television program guide display screen that includes the at least one listing.
82 . The method of claim 81 wherein the searching for the at least one listing comprises searching for a program listing.
83 . The method of claim 81 wherein the receiving of the selection of the search field comprises receiving a search by title.
84 . The method of claim 81 wherein the receiving of the selection of the search field comprises receiving a search by actor.
85 . The method of claim 81 wherein the receiving of the selection of the search field comprises receiving a search by category.
86 . The method of claim 81 wherein the receiving of the selection of the search field comprises receiving a search by description.
87 . The method of claim 81 wherein the receiving of the selection of the search field comprises receiving a search by rating.
88 . The method of claim 81 wherein the receiving of the selection of the search field comprises receiving a search by genre.
89 . The method of claim 81 wherein the searching for the at least one listing comprises searching for a channel.
90 . The method of claim 81 further comprising sorting the at least one listing according to user-specified criteria.
91 . A system for searching for a listing in an interactive television program guide, the system comprising:
a user input device that receives input corresponding to a search text string and receives input corresponding to a selection of a search field from a plurality of available search fields;
a processor that receives the search text string and the selection of the search field and searches for at least one listing among a plurality of program listings, wherein the at least one listing comprises the search text string in a field of the listing corresponding to the selected search field; and
a user viewing device that displays an interactive television program guide display screen that includes the at least one listing.
92 . The system of claim 91 wherein the at least one listing comprises a program listing.
93 . The system of claim 91 wherein the user input device receives input corresponding to a search by title.
94 . The system of claim 91 wherein the user input device receives input corresponding to a search by actor.
95 . The system of claim 91 wherein the user input device receives input corresponding to a search by category.
96 . The system of claim 91 wherein the user input device receives input corresponding to a search by description.
97 . The system of claim 91 wherein the user input device receives input corresponding to a search by rating.
98 . The system of claim 91 wherein the user input device receives input corresponding to a search by genre.
99 . The system of claim 91 wherein the at least one listing comprises a channel.
100 . The system of claim 91 wherein the processor sorts the at least one listing according to user-specified criteria.