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.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of program listings for a plurality of channels, including a program listing for a first channel of the plurality of channels, wherein the first channel is a restricted-access channel; 
 determining that access to the first channel is no longer restricted during a promotional time period; 
 determining whether a user is a non-subscriber to the first channel; and 
 displaying a promotion that provides access to the first channel in response to determining that the user is a non-subscriber, wherein when the promotional time period ends, the promotion is no longer displayed. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying program listings including a second program listing associated with a second television channel. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising visually distinguishing the displayed promotion from other program listings. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the promotion includes modifying displayed program listings to include the program listing for the first television channel. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the program listing for the first channel in closer proximity to the promotion than to other listings. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising ordering displayed program listings to position the first program listing above other program listings. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising ordering displayed program listings to position the first program listing below other program listings. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a first user input subscribing to the first channel; and 
 providing access to the first channel in response to receiving the first user input. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a first user input subscribing to the first channel, 
 
       wherein receiving the first user input comprises receiving a selection of the promotion during the promotional time period. 
     
     
       10. A system comprising:
 control circuitry configured to: 
 receive a plurality of program listings for a plurality of channels, including a program listing for a first channel of the plurality of channels, wherein the first channel is a restricted-access channel; 
 determine that access to the first channel is no longer restricted during a promotional time period; 
 determine whether a user is a non-subscriber to the first channel; and 
 display a promotion that provides access to the first channel in response to determining that the user is a non-subscriber, wherein when the promotional time period ends, the promotion is no longer displayed. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to display program listings including a second program listing associated with a second television channel. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to visually distinguish the displayed promotion from other program listings. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry configured to display the promotion is further configured to modify displayed program listings to include the program listing for the first television channel. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to position the program listing for the first channel in closer proximity to the promotion than to other listings. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to order displayed program listings to position the first program listing above other program listings. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to order displayed program listings to position the first program listing below other program listings. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a first user input subscribing to the first channel; and 
 provide access to the first channel in response to receiving the first user input. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a first user input subscribing to the first channel, 
 
       wherein receiving the first user input comprises receiving a selection of the promotion during the promotional time period.