Abstract: A video on demand (VOD) asset management system (100). Content is moved within the VOD system in accordance with predetermined variables such that certain content, such as that which is in high demand, is located on a server (120, 125) which is nearer to a subscriber (130), and content which is in lesser demand is located on a server (110, 115) which is more remote from the subscriber. Content may also be duplicated or moved within the system based upon other variables such as demographics of the subscriber, whether there is an advertising campaign for the content, and the age of the content.

Abstract: Requests for content and delivery of content are handled in an asymmetric manner, with more bandwidth devoted to the delivery of the content than to the request for content. The request for content is sent upstream over a first network and then sent upstream to a content library over a second network. The content is retrieved from the content library, based on the request, and sent over a third network that is distinct (logically and/or physically) from the second network. The third network has high bandwidth compared to the bandwidth of the second network. The retrieved content is processed, which may include buffering and decrypting, and is then sent to the user. The retrieved content may be sent to the user downstream over the first network, using more bandwidth than the bandwidth used for sending the request upstream from the user.

Abstract: A video on demand (VOD) system (100) for use in a distributed network environment. The distributed network environment contains a number of geographic networks (400A-400N) that are divided into a plurality of tiers (305-1 to 305-N), which are allocated to content providers (225). A content provider (225) provides content to the network with a tier assignment. The content is received pursuant to the assigned tier. Identification information, such as Categorization Information, is provided with and/or associated with a content file. The identification information may be updated at any time, independently of the content.

Abstract: A video on demand (VOD) asset management system (100). Content is moved within the VOD system in accordance with predetermined variables such that certain content, such as that which is in high demand, is located on a server (120, 125) which is nearer to a subscriber (130), and content which is in lesser demand is located on a server (110, 115) which is more remote from the subscriber. Content may also be duplicated or moved within the system based upon other variables such as demographics of the subscriber, whether there is an advertising campaign for the content, and the age of the content.