Methods and systems for receiving ratings from a third-party source of ratings

Abstract

Methods and systems are presented for selecting a preferred source of ratings (e.g., Metacritic.com) and integrating the ratings into the electronic program guide (EPG) such as displaying the ratings alongside program listings. By allowing the user to select the source of ratings, the media guidance application ensures that the ratings provided are meaningful to the user. The media guidance application retrieves the ratings from the source of ratings selected by the user and displays the retrieved ratings in the corresponding program listing so that the user may make an informed decision about his or her television viewing. The media guidance application may also incorporate the retrieved ratings into media guidance functions such as setting reminders, scheduling recordings, or recommending programs.

1 .- 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A method comprising:
 receiving a selection of a source of ratings associated with a plurality of live performance media assets;   periodically and automatically downloading updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings;   generating for display a media guidance application including a listing of media assets; and   in response to determining the listing of media assets of the media guidance application includes a media asset from the plurality of live performance media assets from the downloaded updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings:
 retrieving from the downloaded updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings a rating for the media asset; and 
 including the rating in the listing of the media asset when providing the media guidance application for display. 
   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , comprising:
 providing for display and updating information related to a specific user when the media guidance application corresponding to that user is accessed.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the selection of the source of ratings associated with the plurality of live performance media assets is responsive to a user selection operation. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , comprising:
 storing the retrieved rating with metadata associated with a media asset listing in a media guidance data source.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , comprising:
 in response to determining the listing of media assets of the media guidance application does not include a media asset from the plurality of live performance media assets from the downloaded updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings, displaying a blank space or replacement character indicating that a rating was not found in the selected source of ratings.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , comprising:
 automatically retrieving from the downloaded updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings multiple ratings for the media asset; and   including the multiple ratings in the listing of the media asset when generating the media guidance application for display.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the plurality of live performance media assets is a plurality of sports-related live performance media assets. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the display of the media guidance application includes a sports listing screen. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the sports listing screen includes at least one of programs of a selected type; programs of a subcategory; a listing bar showing a program name, time, and a channel; a highlight window to navigate and select programs; or a recorded content icon. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the listing is organized by date, time, and channel or content type. 
     
     
         62 . A system comprising:
 control circuitry configured to:
 receive a selection of a source of ratings associated with a plurality of live performance media assets; 
 periodically and automatically downloading updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings; 
 generate for display a media guidance application including a listing of media assets; and 
 in response to determining the listing of media assets of the media guidance application includes a media asset from the plurality of live performance media assets from the downloaded updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings:
 retrieve from the downloaded updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings a rating for the media asset; and 
 include the rating in the listing of the media asset when providing the media guidance application for display. 
 
   
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
 provide for display and update information related to a specific user when the media guidance application corresponding to that user is accessed.   
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the selection of the source of ratings associated with the plurality of live performance media assets is responsive to a user selection operation. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
 store the retrieved rating with metadata associated with a media asset listing in a media guidance data source.   
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
 in response to determining the listing of media assets of the media guidance application does not include a media asset from the plurality of live performance media assets from the downloaded updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings, display a blank space or replacement character indicating that a rating was not found in the selected source of ratings.   
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
 Automatically retrieve from the downloaded updated ratings data from the selected source of ratings multiple ratings for the media asset; and   include the multiple ratings in the listing of the media asset when generating the media guidance application for display.   
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the plurality of live performance media assets is a plurality of sports-related live performance media assets. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the display of the media guidance application includes a sports listing screen. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the sports listing screen includes at least one of programs of a selected type; programs of a subcategory; a listing bar showing a program name, time, and a channel; a highlight window to navigate and select programs; or a recorded content icon. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the listing is organized by date, time, and channel or content type.