Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving information expressing a user's interest in one or more media programs, obtaining information indicative of popularity for a plurality of media programs responsive to the received information by individuals other than the user, and transmitting one or more recommendations of media programs for display to the user, from the plurality of media programs that relate to the received information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search request related to media programming and generating a search. The result has a list of one or more collections of episodes responsive to the search request, and a schedule grid displaying a plurality of episodes on a plurality of different channels for a time period, including at least one program responsive to the search request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request associated with a user for media-related programming information, obtaining a plurality of media episode indicators for a time period associated with the request and with the user, and generating code for displaying the plurality of media episode indicators in a calendar associated with the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search request associated with media-related information, identifying a media-related object responsive to the request, and gathering from a plurality of different corpuses of information a plurality of search results associated with the media-related object.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving information associated with a user of media services, wherein the received information does not uniquely identify one media head end for he user, identifying a plurality of head ends responsive to the received information, and generating, for display on a client device associated with the user, information for displaying a program guide aggregating channels for the plurality of head ends.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search request at a central information provider, generating a query containing media-related terms relating to the search request, and submitting the query to a search engine having access to media-related search results, wherein the query is broader than the received search request, and transmitting media-related search results generated in response to the query by the search engine, to a remote device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving information expressing a user's interest in one or more media programs, obtaining information indicative of popularity for a plurality of media programs responsive to the received information by individuals other than the user, and transmitting one or more recommendations of media programs for display to the user, from the plurality of media programs that relate to the received information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving information expressing a user's interest in one or more media programs, obtaining information indicative of popularity for a plurality of media programs responsive to the received information by individuals other than the user, and transmitting one or more recommendations of media programs for display to the user, from the plurality of media programs that relate to the received information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating code for displaying a two-dimensional media programming schedule grid, receiving a command to compress the grid at a first location along a first dimension, and generating code for displaying the grid with visible graphical fold marks defining a fold area near the first location along the first dimension.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating code for displaying a two-dimensional media programming schedule grid, receiving a command to compress the grid at a first location along a first dimension, and generating code for displaying the grid with visible graphical fold marks defining a fold area near the first location along the first dimension.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a query at a central information provider, identifying media-related terms in the query that indicate the query relates to one or more media-related objects, and providing media-specific results in response to the query associated with one or more programs or program staff.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for advertisement distribution includes receiving, in a computer system, an input from an advertiser that has previously registered an advertisement for on-demand activation. The input is generated based on the advertiser having an immediate availability and directs the computer system to initiate the on-demand activation substantially in real time with receiving the input. The method includes determining, using the computer system, a geographic location of the advertiser that corresponds to the immediate availability. The method includes defining, using the computer system, a target group to which the advertisement is to be presented, the target group identified based on at least the geographic location and the immediate availability. The method includes initiating the on-demand activation using the computer system, for receipt of the advertisement by at least part of the target group, the on-demand activation initiated substantially in real time with receiving the input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving information expressing a user's interest in one or more media programs, obtaining information indicative of popularity for a plurality of media programs responsive to the received information by individuals other than the user, and transmitting one or more recommendations of media programs for display to the user, from the plurality of media programs that relate to the received information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search request related to media programming and generating a search. The result has a list of one or more collections of episodes responsive to the search request, and a schedule grid displaying a plurality of episodes on a plurality of different channels for a time period, including at least one program responsive to the search request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating code for displaying a two-dimensional media programming schedule grid, receiving a command to compress the grid at a first location along a first dimension, and generating code for displaying the grid with visible graphical fold marks defining a fold area near the first location along the first dimension.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining a time relative to a playing media program to insert a user notification, automatically generating a suggestion regarding a media program other than the playing media program to be presented to an audience member of the playing media program, providing, in a format for presentation on a user-related media player, the generated suggestion at the location in the playing media program, and causing the generation of a control that, when selected, performs an action related to the non-playing media program.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving an identification of a media program from a broadcast channel on an electronic program guide for inclusion in a personalized channel, adding the identified program to a personalized channel at a first time, and adding one or more additional programs to the personalized channel at times other than the first time.