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.