Interactive ticker

1 . A method, comprising:

displaying an interactive ticker along with television media content that is being displayed for viewing, the interactive ticker including selectable ticker data being displayed for viewer selection; and

receiving the viewer selection to initiate one of the selectable ticker data.

2 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the selectable ticker data includes favorite channels of the viewer, the favorite channels each being displayed as a picture-in-picture in the interactive ticker.

3 . A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein a picture-in-picture of a favorite channel is received as the viewer selection to initiate the favorite channel being displayed as the television media content that is rendered for viewing.

4 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the selectable ticker data includes buddies that are associated with the viewer in a buddy list, the viewer selection being received to initiate instant messaging communication with one or more of the buddies.

5 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the selectable ticker data includes computer applications that are selectable from the interactive ticker, the viewer selection being received to initiate a computer application for viewer interaction.

6 . A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising receiving a ticker control input to configure the interactive ticker.

7 . A method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the ticker control input selects a type of the selectable ticker data that is displayed in the interactive ticker.

8 . A method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the ticker control input initiates scrolling the interactive ticker in a reverse direction.

9 . A method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the ticker control input initiates at least one of starting the interactive ticker, stopping the interactive ticker, turning the interactive ticker on for display, or turning the interactive ticker off.

10 . An interactive ticker displayed with television media content that is being displayed for viewing, the interactive ticker comprising:

data positions each configured as a placeholder for selectable ticker data displayed in the interactive ticker; and

control inputs for configuring the interactive ticker when displayed with the television media content.

11 . An interactive ticker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the selectable ticker data includes favorite channels of a viewer, the data positions each having a favorite channel being displayed as a picture-in-picture in the interactive ticker.

12 . An interactive ticker as recited in claim 1 , wherein a picture-in-picture of a favorite channel is selectable from a data position to initiate the favorite channel being displayed for viewing.

13 . An interactive ticker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the selectable ticker data displayed in the interactive ticker changes according to a time of the day.

14 . An interactive ticker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the selectable ticker data includes recorded television media content that can be selected to initiate playback of a recording for viewing.

15 . An interactive ticker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the control inputs include a ticker data selection input configured to select a type of selectable ticker data that is displayed in the interactive ticker.

16 . An interactive ticker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the control inputs include a ticker direction input configured to initiate the interactive ticker scrolling horizontally in at least one of a left direction, a right direction, or a reverse direction.

17 . An interactive ticker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the control inputs include a ticker direction input configured to initiate the interactive ticker scrolling vertically in at least one of an up direction, a down direction, or a reverse direction.

18 . A television client device, comprising:

a media content input configured to receive television media content for display; and

a ticker module configured to generate an interactive ticker for display with the television media content, the interactive ticker including selectable ticker data being displayed for viewer selection.

19 . A television client device as recited in claim 18 , wherein the selectable ticker data includes favorite channels of a viewer, the favorite channels each being displayed as a picture-in-picture in the interactive ticker.

20 . A television client device as recited in claim 18 , wherein a picture-in-picture of a favorite channel is selectable to initiate the favorite channel being displayed for viewing as the television media content.