Abstract: A streaming content-on-demand service provider (400), upon receiving (301) from a remotely located content consumer (100) an on-demand request (406) for present delivery of a particular identified item of streaming content, allocates (303) a multicast address/port to which a multicast stream (411) comprising the streaming content will be provided. The content consumer (via, for example, a corresponding client platform) can then use this multicast address/port to receive the particular identified item of streaming content. Such an approach will serve to permit the initiation of a new stream of content to serve an initial request for such content. This approach will also permit, if desired, late joiners to begin receiving, mid-stream, content that has already begun streaming in response to an earlier client request for such content.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider (400) processor (401) receives (101) at least one on-demand broadcasting request for particular audio-visual content from an end user (405). The processor then determines (102) at least one future time at which the on-demand broadcasting request can likely be satisfied and provides (103) a corresponding dynamic programming guide to the end user that comprises, at least in part, this at least one future time.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider processor (201) receives (101) audio-visual content from at least a first content provider (203), which audio-visual content is to be distributed to end users (205) of the audio-visual content service provider processor. That audio-visual content service provider processor then facilitates distribution (103) of the audio-visual content to the end users (pursuant, for example, to a corresponding broadcast schedule). This audio-visual content service provider processor also receives (104) metadata that comprises conditions regarding the audio-visual content.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider (200) processor (201) receives (102) an end user (203) selection of at least one particular Internet media content channel via an audio-visual content service provider-end user interface. The audio-visual content service provider then provides (103) on-demand access to this at least one particular Internet media content channel to this end user as a selectable viewing channel along with other televised audio-visual content channels. By one approach, the audio-visual content service provider can receive the described end user selection via a browser-based interface.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider processor (201) receives (101) audio-visual content (302) from at least a first content provider (203), which audio-visual content is to be distributed to end users (205) of the audio-visual content service provider processor. That audio-visual content service provider processor then facilitates distribution (102) of the audio-visual content to the end users (pursuant, for example, to a corresponding broadcast schedule (304)). This audio-visual content service provider processor also, however, locally records (104) the audio-visual content, in the absence of any corresponding specific requests from the end users, to thereby hold a recorded version of the audio-visual content for subsequent re-broadcasting to the end users.

Abstract: Both an XML schema and XML instance data as correspond to an XML document are provided (301). The XML schema is processed (302) apart from the XML instance data to provide resultant compressed XML schema data while the XML instance data is processed (303) to provide a corresponding XML instance table. The latter is compressed (304) to yield a resultant compressed XML instance table. Following receipt of such items, the compressed XML instance table is decompressed (403) to provide a resultant XML instance table with the latter being used (404), along with the XML schema, to facilitate a corresponding XML document process.

Abstract: A compressed binary schema representation object for metadata processing and a related method are provided. The compressed binary schema representation provides savings in bandwidth and processing requirements as compared to textual schema representations. The binary schema representation makes it possible to select and decode only desired schema elements without the need to parse the entire schema.

Abstract: Meta-data retrieved externally is determined to be relevant to the creation of an electronic programming guide (EPG) or relevant to a user's preferred programs. The meta-data is stored locally if it is determined that it is relevant to the creation of the EPG or if it is relevant to the user's preferred programs. All other meta-data is discarded. When a user requests meta-data, an attempt is made to retrieve the data from a local database, and if the attempt fails, then the meta-data is obtained from an external source.