Abstract: Methods for entertainment-programming distribution are provided. A set of entertainment programs is transmitted in real time over a public network for display on user computers in communication with the public network and identified as subscribers to the set of entertainment programs. A notification signal is transmitted with at least one of the entertainment programs to identify that entertainment program as available for download. A request is received from one of the user computers over the public network to download that entertainment program. It is verified that the user computer is authorized to receive downloaded entertainment programs in accordance with a subscriber agreement. The identified entertainment program is then downloaded to the user computer.

Abstract: According to the invention, a video system for playing licensed video content is disclosed. The video system includes a video, a video selection interface, a video storage device, and a license control process. The video is selected from a plurality of videos stored on the video storage device. There is a plurality of content licenses for the video, where the plurality of content licenses is comprised of at least a first content license and a second content license. The first content license has a first time period where viewing is allowed and the second content license has a second time period where viewing is allowed, where the first time period is different from the second time period. The license control process enforces the content licenses.

Abstract: Methods for entertainment-programming distribution are provided. A set of entertainment programs is transmitted in real time over a public network for display on user computers in communication with the public network and identified as subscribers to the set of entertainment programs. A notification signal is transmitted with at least one of the entertainment programs to identify that entertainment program as available for download. A request is received from one of the user computers over the public network to download that entertainment program. It is verified that the user computer is authorized to receive downloaded entertainment programs in accordance with a subscriber agreement. The identified entertainment program is then downloaded to the user computer.

Abstract: According to the invention, a video system for playing licensed video content is disclosed. The video system includes a video, a video selection interface, a video storage device, and a license control process. The video is selected from a plurality of videos stored on the video storage device. There is a plurality of content licenses for the video, where the plurality of content licenses is comprised of at least a first content license and a second content license. The first content license has a first time period where viewing is allowed and the second content license has a second time period where viewing is allowed, where the first time period is different from the second time period. The license control process enforces the content licenses.