Abstract: A method comprises retrieving a profile of a given user, the given user having a given-user device; delivering a content item to the given-user device; receiving one or more user-specified tags associated with the content item; identifying one or more buddies of the user as indicated in the profile; and delivering the one or more tags to the one or more buddies.

Abstract: A method comprises retrieving a profile of a given user, the given user having a given-user device; delivering a content item to the given-user device; receiving one or more user-specified tags associated with the content item; identifying one or more buddies of the user as indicated in the profile; and delivering the one or more tags to the one or more buddies.

Abstract: A method comprises retrieving a profile of a given user, the given user having a given-user device; delivering a content item to the given-user device; receiving one or more user-specified tags associated with the content item; identifying one or more buddies of the user as indicated in the profile; and delivering the one or more tags to the one or more buddies.

Abstract: A method comprises retrieving a profile of a given user, the given user having a given-user device; delivering a content item to the given-user device; receiving one or more user-specified tags associated with the content item; identifying one or more buddies of the user as indicated in the profile; and delivering the one or more tags to the one or more buddies.

Abstract: A method comprises retrieving a profile of a given user, the given user having a given-user device; delivering a content item to the given-user device; receiving one or more user-specified tags associated with the content item; identifying one or more buddies of the user as indicated in the profile; and delivering the one or more tags to the one or more buddies.

Abstract: The present invention provides messaging capabilities in conjunction with functionality for viewing and interacting with a plurality of content items t in a television environment. According to one embodiment, a method for providing one or more content items to a user comprises setting a context for a client device operated by the user and retrieving one or more representations of the context of one or more buddies associated with the user as indicated in a user profile, the one or more buddies in a social network of the user. The one or more representations of the context of the one or more buddies are displayed on the client device in conjunction with the context of the client device. A representation of a context of a given buddy is selected from the one or more representations and the context of the user is changed to the context of the given buddy.

Abstract: A method comprises retrieving a profile of a given user, the given user having a given-user device; identifying a buddy of the given user, the buddy having a buddy device; delivering a synchronization request to the buddy device; enabling the buddy to accept or reject the synchronization request; and delivering the content item substantially simultaneously to the given-user and the buddy device if the buddy accepted the synchronization request.

Abstract: A method comprises retrieving a profile of a given user; using the profile to identify a buddy of the given user; delivering a shared control request of the given user to a buddy device of the buddy; enabling the buddy to accept or reject the shared control request; and allowing the given user to control a context of the buddy device when the buddy accepts the shared control request.

Abstract: The present invention provides messaging capabilities in conjunction with functionality for viewing and interacting with a plurality of content items t in a television environment. According to one embodiment, a method for providing one or more content items to a user comprises setting a context for a client device operated by the user and retrieving one or more representations of the context of one or more buddies associated with the user as indicated in a user profile, the one or more buddies in a social network of the user. The one or more representations of the context of the one or more buddies are displayed on the client device in conjunction with the context of the client device. A representation of a context of a given buddy is selected from the one or more representations and the context of the user is changed to the context of the given buddy.

Abstract: A method comprises retrieving a profile of a given user, the given user having a given-user device; delivering a content item to the given-user device; receiving one or more user-specified tags associated with the content item; identifying one or more buddies of the user as indicated in the profile; and delivering the one or more tags to the one or more buddies.

Abstract: A method of personalizing advertisements comprises retrieving a profile of a given user, the profile including at least one characteristic of the given user and at least one rating of a content item; retrieving from the profile at least a portion of the characteristics of the given user and at least a portion of the ratings of the one or more content items; delivering a given content item to the client device; retrieving a context of the given user; retrieving one or more advertisements based on the profile and the context; and delivering one or more of the retrieved advertisements to the client device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for accessing specialized content that is associated with broadcast content. In one embodiment, a user accesses specialized content based on previously-provided user preferences. In another embodiment, the specialized content to be accessed may be appended to or otherwise associated with broadcast content that is downloaded or recorded using a client-side device. In yet another embodiment, the specialized content may be broadcast content.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating broadcast content and non-broadcast content is disclosed. In one embodiment, a user preferences are entered using a user interface of a user computer. A broadcast-based client-side device may then receive non-broadcast content that is based on the user preferences, as well as broadcast programming content from a broadcast source. In one embodiment, requested non-broadcast content and broadcast programming content may be displayed by the broadcast-based client-side device, where the non-broadcast content is displayed in accordance with the user preferences.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for accessing specialized content that is associated with broadcast content. In one embodiment, a user accesses specialized content based on previously-provided user preferences. In another embodiment, the specialized content to be accessed may be appended to or otherwise associated with broadcast content that is downloaded or recorded using a client-side device. In yet another embodiment, the specialized content may be broadcast content.