Premium channel promotion system and method

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a receiving location for receiving a first television channel and a second television channel, wherein the first television channel is regularly available and the second television channel is regularly unavailable;   a detector at the receiving location for detecting whether the second television channel has become available, and generating an indication that the second television channel is available; and   a processor coupled to the detector, the processor configured to notify a viewer, in response to the indication, that the second channel is available.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein notifying a viewer includes displaying a promotional message for informing the viewer that the second television channel is available. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein notifying a viewer includes displaying at least one program listing associated with the second television channel. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the promotional message is visually distinguished from the at least one program listing. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one program listing is displayed as part of a grid guide. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein notifying a viewer includes adding at least one listing of television programs transmitted in the second television channel into an electronic program guide database. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the processor further adds the second television channel into a list of displayed channels. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the processor further transmits an order to subscribe the viewer to a service provider of the second television channel. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving a first television channel and a second television channel, wherein the first television channel is regularly available and the second television channel is regularly unavailable;   monitoring the second television channel to detect whether the second television channel has become available;   generating an indication when the second television channel is available; and   notifying a viewer, in response to the indication, that the second television channel is available.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein notifying a viewer includes displaying a promotional message for informing the viewer that the second television channel is available. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein notifying a viewer includes displaying at least one program listing associated with the second television channel. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the promotional message is visually distinguished from the at least one program listing. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one program listing is displayed as part of a grid guide. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein notifying a viewer includes adding at least one listing of television programs transmitted in the second television channel into an electronic program guide database. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising adding the second television channel into a list of displayed channels. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising transmitting an order to subscribe the viewer to a service provider of the second television channel.