System and method for displaying editorial content through television navigation controls and electronic program guides

Abstract

A system and method for delivering editorial content via at least one distribution network. The system includes an operations center that receives editorial content items and for modifies the editorial content items to a standard format for presentation via an electronic program guide (EPG). The EPG is associated with an editorial content index page including pointers to modified editorial content items. At leasta portion of the modified editorial content items are adapted for local subscriber storage.

1 . A system for delivering editorial content via at least one distribution network, the system comprising: 
 an operations center, for receiving editorial content items and for modifying the editorial content items to a standard format for presentation via an electronic program guide (EPG);    the EPG being associated with an editorial content index page including pointers to modified editorial content items, at least a portion of the modified editorial content items being adapted for local subscriber storage.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 each distribution network utilizes a respective editorial content index page for use with the EPG.    
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each distribution network stores each of the adapted editorial content items at a head end, and a portion of the adapted editorial content items at subscriber set top terminals (STTs).  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each STT includes presentation software adapted to request display scripts from a data carousel in the respective distribution network.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the display scripts comprise content pages adapted for providing display imagery for presentation via a STT.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the presentation software presents a navigation tool in response to the detection of a use interaction.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a request for an editorial content item comprises the detection of a editorial content index page selection via the EPG.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a request for an editorial content item comprises the detection of a editorial content index page selection via the presentation software.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein video data associated with an editorial content item is delivered to a STT using a video on demand (VOD) function.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein video data associated with an editorial content item is delivered to a STT using an in-band communications channel.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a data network, coupled to said operations center, a plurality of editorial content providers and said at least one distribution network;    said data network transporting said editorial content items from said editorial content providers to said operations center;    said data network transporting said EPG and modified editorial content items from operations center to said at least one distribution network.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one distribution network comprises a cable television system headed in communication with a plurality of subscriber terminals.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least one distribution network comprises a data carousel adapted for delivering data to subscribers according to a carousel process.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the data carousel stores the editorial content index page.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the data carousel stores the modified editorial content items.  
     
     
         16 . A method for delivering editorial content to subscribers, comprising: 
 modifying editorial content items to a standard format for presentation via an electronic program guide (EPG);    forwarding the modified editorial content items to at least one distribution network;    forwarding the EPG to subscribers of the at least one distribution network, the EPG being associated with an editorial content index page including pointers to modified editorial content items, at least some of the modified editorial content items being adapted for subscriber set top terminal (STT) storage.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the standard format comprises a predetermined format for each of a plurality of editorial content item media types.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 receiving the editorial content items from one or more editorial content contributors via a data network; and    forwarding the modified editorial content items and EPG via the data network.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 receiving, at a data carousel within a distribution network, a request for a display script associated with a detected user interaction, said display script comprising a content page adapted for providing display imagery for presentation via a STT; and forwarding the requested display script to the STT associated with the detected user interaction.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein: 
 said display script comprises one or more of an EPG page, an editorial content index page and a navigation tool.