Abstract: Provided are methods and systems whereby a request for a task relating to a content asset can be received. Information related to the task can be transmitted. A plurality of bids can be received in response to the transmitted information. Each bid can originate from a corresponding device such as a video packager. Each bid can represent a network related cost associated with the corresponding video packager accepting the task. A winning bid can be determined from the plurality of bids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a television system (50) and a method for automatically suggesting suitable programs to a viewer from a large number of available programs. The system (50) includes a DTV-agent system (21). Title information and characteristics of programs are made available as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data, which including at least one Electronic Program Guide Database (22). A learning module (39) records characteristics associated with each program viewed by the user, and forms sets of these characteristics. The frequency of occurrence of each set is also determined. A recommendation module (40) uses a number of tasks to compile a list of viewer recommendations (67). Various tasks are defined, with each task defining a unique combination of a manner of ordering the viewer profile (500), and particular Relevance Filters for filtering the ordered viewer profile.