Abstract: A control device controls a television. The control device includes a touch module. The control device displays a menu containing a number of soft keys on a screen. The soft keys are activated to control the television to carry out corresponding functions. All positions on the menu are associated with all positions on the touch module correspondingly. As a result, a user can select desired soft keys to carry out corresponding functions by viewing the menu on the television and touching the touch module, rather than viewing the touch module.

Abstract: A classifier training system learns classifiers for categories by combining data from a category-instance repository comprising relationships between categories and more specific instances of those categories with a set of video classifiers for different concepts. The category-instance repository is derived from the domain of textual documents, such as web pages, and the concept classifiers are derived from the domain of video. Taken together, the category-instance repository and the concept classifiers provide sufficient data for obtaining accurate classifiers for categories that encompass other lower-level concepts, where the categories and their classifiers may not be obtainable solely from the video domain.

Abstract: A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An assistance method for selecting a program using a display device (112) is disclosed. The method (1200) selects one or more attributes associated with a first program, the one or more attributes being selected dynamically by a processor associated with the display device (112) according to one or more predetermined criteria. The method searches for a second program associated with one or more of the selected attributes. The second program and the one or more attributes associated therewith are displayed on the display device, according to the search for the second program.

Abstract: A contextual navigational control for digital television is described. An apparatus, comprises a contextual navigation control interface (CNCI). The CNCI includes a first area that represents a plurality of cable television programs having a first level of relevance. A second area represents a first group of the plurality of programs having a second level of relevance. A third area represents a first subgroup of the first group having a third level of relevance. A fourth area represents a second subgroup of the first group having a fourth level of relevance. There may be additional areas representing additional sub-groups of relevance to the current viewing context.

Abstract: A portable digital television (DTV) comprises a processor, a channel and volume changing button arrangement, and a navigational button arrangement. Either or both button arrangements can be used in at least a bi-modal operation. In a first mode of operation, the button arrangements provide their normal functions, and in the second mode of operation, the button arrangements provide an interactive application interface to the user. Preferably, one of the two button arrangements is selected for the bi-modal operation. The selected button arrangement is associated with at least an optical element for lighting the button arrangement. The controller operates the optical element such that the selected button arrangement has one color in one mode of operation and has a different color in the other mode of operation.

Abstract: An override of automatically shared meta-data of media method and apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a server device includes automatically populating a hierarchy using a play-list history data associated with a media data of a client device and modifying the hierarchy based on a user override. The hierarchy may be a hierarchy of the play-list history data of the certain items associated with the media data of the client device. A modified hierarchy may be generated based on an addition, deletion and/or an adjust modifying operation of the user override on the hierarchy and may be automatically populated on a new mark-up language file based on the modified hierarchy. A new compatibility rating may be determined between the user and the other users based on the similar attributes between the modified hierarchy and the other hierarchies and each user of the server device may be enabled to view mark-up language files of the other users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: A system and method for using information codes for recording television programs. Information codes may be published in magazines, newspapers, and the like, much like VCR Plus+™ codes. When a user desires to record one or more television programs based on information codes, the user selects an appropriate command button on his or her input device, and enters the information code that identifies a desired filter category (e.g. an actor filter represented as “01”) followed by a desired filter identifier (e.g. Richard Gere represented as “1234”). A processor receiving the user input searches an electronic program guide database for programs matching the filter information. The identified programs are then stored in a record memory for recording at an appropriate time. The identified programs may be further displayed for verification prior to storage in the record memory. Programs recommended to the viewers may also be identified via information codes.

Abstract: A displayed matrix having a menu of presentation genres and an opposing menu of ranking systems prioritizing each genre according to the values of a set of parameters. A viewer is enabled to select at least one genre from the menu and the viewer is also enabled to select at least one ranking system. Selections are correlated to generate a set of proposed presentations prioritized in accordance with the parameter values of a selected ranking system and displayed as a tag cloud wherein each of the proposed presentations is visually distinguished according to the priority ranking of the proposed television program presentation.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving end-user-provided media content with a first media content distribution platform subsystem, distributing the end-user-provided media content with the first media content distribution platform subsystem, receiving end-user-provided ratings of the distributed end-user-provided media content with the first media content distribution platform subsystem, selecting, by a platform linking subsystem, at least a subset of the end-user-provided media content based at least in part on the end-user-provided ratings, and distributing the selected at least a subset of the end-user-provided media content with a second media content distribution platform subsystem. In certain embodiments, the second media content distribution platform subsystem may comprise a subscriber television content distribution platform subsystem. In certain embodiments, the first media content distribution platform subsystem may comprise a World Wide Web media content distribution platform subsystem.

Abstract: Disclosure is generally directed to outputting an electronic programming guide (EPG) content tree from a television receiver for display on an output device. A content tree consistent with this disclosure may include a number of interconnected nodes that present programming content that is available for viewing or recording through the operation of the television receiver.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box comprising a controller to receive media content over an Internet Protocol Television network, detect Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) content associated with the media content, present an SAP indicator with the media content to a user when the SAP content is detected for the media content, receive a selection of the SAP content by the user, and present the media content with the selected SAP content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a filtering interface that records and searches for broadcasting content is provided. A method for providing a filtering interface that records and searches for broadcasting content according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes analyzing user preferences for each property of the broadcasting content according to play history information of the recorded broadcasting content, generating a properties list by clustering the properties based on the user preferences, receiving a predetermined property from the properties list, extracting broadcasting content that correspond to the received properties from currently-aired or soon-to-be-aired broadcasting content, and providing a list of the extracted content.

Abstract: A content listing may provide a listing of content items a variety of ways including using 3-D images, alphanumeric text, and video data. Viewers and/or programmers may be allowed to select between varying display environment. In addition, non-content listing objects, such as interaction objects, may be conflated with the presentation of the display environment and with the content listing information.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: A novel electronic program guide (EPG) based method and system for the distribution and display of programs enables the system service provider to determine which program a subscriber will initially see upon power-up of the subscriber's television receiver. The service provider maintains one or more Initial Program Display Tables that list information about programs to be displayed upon power-up of subscribers' receivers, from highest to least priority. The Initial Program Display Table or Tables are periodically transmitted to all subscribers and stored by the subscribers' set-top boxes. Upon power-up of a subscriber's receiver, the set-top box will attempt to cause the receiver to immediately display the highest ranked program from the Initial Program Display Table. The service provider controls which programs are displayed upon initial power-up and the ranking of programs in the case where there is difficulty displaying the highest ranked program.

Abstract: A system measures a frequency with which a user views a television program and identifies the television program as one of the user's favorite programs based on the measured frequency. The system automatically records, without intervention of the user, the one of the user's favorite programs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for customizing the display of interactive television overlays. A condition related to the display of an overlay on top of video for a television channel may be defined for each of a plurality of television channels. A default set of information types for an interactive television overlay (e.g., a FLIP overlay, a BROWSE overlay, etc.) may be defined for the plurality of television channels. When the overlay is displayed on top of video for a given television channel of the plurality of television channels, the overlay may include information of the default set of information types. One or more television channels of the plurality of television channels may be identified as channels for which the default set of information types does not apply (e.g., channels for which the overlay is not displayed or for which a custom set of information types is defined).

Abstract: The present invention relates an interactive media guidance application that provides channel groups. Channel groups may include media channels, such as television channels, radio stations, Internet web sites, etc. Channel groups may be organized around a common characteristic, by utilizing user profile information, and by human editorial selection (e.g., by a service provider or by a user). The guidance application provides information on the channel groups, including media listings, reminders, pending and completed recordings, purchased programs, and previously accessed programs for the channel group. The guidance application enables the user to focus a guidance application function on the channel group. In response to a user initiation to execute the function on the channel group, the function may be executed on all the media channels belonging to the channel group.

Abstract: A method of detecting periodic activity patterns associated with the viewing of audio video content is described. The method includes: recording activity data in an activity log; suppressing the activity log one or more times to suppress non-relevant activity data thereby producing one or more sets of suppressed activity data; passing the one or more sets of suppressed activity data through a signal processing function to convert the one or more sets of suppressed activity data to one or more frequency responses; and analyzing the one or more frequency responses to detect the periodic activity patterns. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Exemplary program guide interface systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a mobile device presenting a program guide interface by way of a touch screen, detecting a pinch gesture provided in relation to the program guide interface, and presenting, in response to the pinch gesture, a plurality of graphical objects representative of a plurality of media programming channel groups. Corresponding methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: A television apparatus includes a plurality of receiving units. The television apparatus includes a first receiving unit configured to receive a channel which broadcasts a program whose video image is displayed on a display unit, a second receiving unit configured to receive a plurality of channels while the video image is being displayed, a program information management unit configured to store genre information about programs broadcasted on the plurality of channels, and a control unit configured to determine a periodic check order of receiving the plurality of channels based on the genre information about the programs read by the program information management unit and to control the second receiving unit to periodically check and receive the plurality of channels according to the periodic check order.

Abstract: A video service provider system may include one or more devices. The one or more device may receive thumbnails of programs that are currently airing on a group of television channels and match the received thumbnails with metadata. The metadata may include information relating to at least one of the television channels or the programs. The one or more devices may further provide, to a remote device, a set of thumbnails, of the captured thumbnails, and the metadata matching the set of thumbnails. The remote device may make the set of thumbnails and the metadata available to a user.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for setting a computer connecting mode in a portable terminal. The method includes checking a program executed by a user in the PC when the portable terminal is connected to a personal computer (PC); requesting the portable terminal to perform the connection to the PC using a connecting mode appropriate for a characteristic of the executed program, wherein the connecting mode is one of connecting modes to the PC; and performing the connection to the PC using the connecting mode requested by the PC.

Abstract: Primary presentation stream is received and presented to user. Alternate presentation stream received according to channel prediction stands ready for presentation if user selects channel processed as alternate stream. Prediction is made according to pre-indication of channel selection or time-selected usage history.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for creating customized media channels. A method of the invention according to some embodiments includes: (a) transmitting to a user device information comprising a list of music genres; receiving from the user device a message indicating that a user selected one of the listed genres and including an identifier identifying the selected genre; selecting one or more media content items in response to receiving the message, wherein the selection is based, at least in part, on (i) the genre selected by the user and (ii) profile information associated with a user identifier input by the user and/or a device identifier associated with the device; and transmitting the selected media content items to the device.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic program guide (EPG) capable of displaying DBS program information and NTSC program information seamlessly and in real-time on a display device is accomplished, in one form, by a wide-band data link between a DBS receiver adapted to receive a DBS broadcast data stream and an internet set-top unit, the internet set-top unit adapted to receive NTSC audio/video signals and internet data/information. In another form, the DBS receiver is controlled by the internet set-top box. Supplemental information transmittable on the DBS data stream may also be displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering interactive program guides includes encoding a plurality of different user interface screens of an interactive application into a series of short video segments. The video segments have associated metadata files that uniquely describe each segment, wherein the segment metadata enables the ingestion of the video segments via an asset distribution and management system into a video-on-demand server and facilitates their subsequent identification by the video-on-demand server. As viewers interact with the application, their input device key presses are processed and delivered to a mapping server that utilizes the data in a configuration file to instruct the video-on-demand server to splice the appropriate interactive application user interface digital video segment into the video stream being displayed on the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel system and method for presenting a listing of multimedia content. The method begins with accessing a multi-dimensional data space with a plurality of nodes. Each of the nodes in the multi-dimensional data space contains a set of informational descriptors about multimedia content. User input is received for least one dimension of relatedness to be used with the set of informational descriptors. A subset of the plurality of nodes is defined with the at least one dimension of relatedness using an order embedding algorithm and the user input. The subset of the plurality of nodes is presented to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel system and method for presenting a listing of multimedia content. The method begins with accessing a multi-dimensional data space with a plurality of nodes. Each of the nodes in the multi-dimensional data space contains a set of informational descriptors about multimedia content. User input is received for least one dimension of relatedness to be used with the set of informational descriptors. A subset of the plurality of nodes is defined with the at least one dimension of relatedness using an order embedding algorithm and the user input. The subset of the plurality of nodes is presented to the user.

Abstract: A celebrity portal system is disclosed. The celebrity portal system may comprise a celebrity content management engine for receiving first media content based on particular real-time content generated by a particular celebrity; a content publication engine for assisting in publishing second media content based on the first media content to a particular celebrity channel; a celebrity channel selection engine for assisting in presenting a channel guide to a set of celebrity channels including the particular celebrity channel; and a bookkeeping engine for tracking revenue generated by each of the celebrity channels.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox.

Abstract: A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including an NRT service, method comprises receiving a broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying the NRT service based on the first signaling information, identifying an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an NRT service signaling data based on the first signaling information and the second signaling information, receiving the NRT service signaling data by accessing the IP address, and downloading a desired NRT service based on the NRT service signaling data.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide personal channels from a network-capable user terminal. A first user terminal may receive a request from a second user terminal for access to a personal channel created by a user and stored on the first user terminal in association with media content. In response to the request, the first user terminal may access the media content associated with the requested personal channel and provide the media content to the first user terminal over the network. A data center accessible by both the first and second user terminals may facilitate the access to the personal channel by storing information associated with the personal channel, including terminal identifiers and metadata, and providing a searchable catalog interface to identify personal channels to view.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data associated with a plurality of multimedia channels. The data includes a multimedia channel numbering set. The method includes presenting the data at a display device communicatively coupled to the set-top box device via an electronic programming guide that includes an option to customize the electronic programming guide by genre. The method includes receiving a selection of one or more genres and a particular multimedia content source. The method includes automatically replacing the multimedia channel numbering set with a renumbered multimedia channel numbering set. Multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with the particular multimedia content source are assigned a lower channel number in the renumbered multimedia channel numbering set than other multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with other multimedia content sources.

Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.

Abstract: A system having an adaptive browse feature and an adaptive flip feature is provided. The adaptative browse and flip features may be selected to receive program viewing suggestions. The system may provide a suggestion by displaying an adaptive browse region or adaptative flip region including a program suggestion. The system identifies programs to suggest based on a user=s viewing activity. The system uses different algorithms that are user-selectable and user-adjustable to identify program suggestions. The system may query a program guide database to build a list of programs having attributes similar to the attributes of the current program or the last viewed program. The system may use an adaptive learning algorithm such as a neural network. The neural network may be trained by the program guide by monitoring user-viewing activity. Each algorithm may be personalized for multiple users.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a selection from a media device corresponding to a first media content, generating a play list at a server where the play list includes second media content that is associated with the first media content by at least one of genre, artist and being published in temporal proximity, and providing play list content comprising at least a portion of the first and second media content to the media device, where at least one of the generation of the play list and the providing of the play list content is based on metadata pointers associated with the first and second media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.