Abstract: A method for distributing media content using a video on demand (VOD) system or the like in which a collection of media content items, such as full length movies, is stored in one or more digital storage devices controlled by a content provider and coupled to a specific media presentation device such as a subscriber television set. VOD subscribers select desired content from a catalog of purchasable media assets, creating a sale contract which gives the user the right to present each purchased media content item in perpetuity and obligates said content provider to provide said user with substantially continuous access to said particular media content item as stored in said one or more digital storage devices controlled by said content provider.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making two or more different video programs, such as live sports or news programs, available for viewing at the same time. At any given time, the viewer may actually be watching only one of, some of, or all of these programs, but has the ability to switch attention from program to program, without missing the content of any of the programs. This is accomplished by placing all of the program streams in storage, and allowing the viewer to selectively watch one program while suspending the playback of the others. The user can select any of these program streams to watch, and can pause, replay, jump forward and backward in time to any desired portion of the selected program stream.