Abstract:
A subscriber to a digital cable or satellite TV service generally has available to them an on-screen program guide. The program guide lists programming (e.g., TV shows) that are available to the subscriber for a certain upcoming time period, typically two weeks. The programming guide may sort the listings by channel and time, areas of interest, age appropriateness and/or MPAA or TV rating, free or additional cost, etc. In the embodiments of the present invention, the programming guide includes an ability to make a selection to see which TV shows are currently (or typically) most watched. In one embodiment, this information is presented as a simple “top 10” list by displaying the actual number of television sets having a set top box with an integrated internet protocol (IP) channel that are tuned to that program. In other embodiments, other web-based services (e.g., Nielsen Ratings) are accessed to determine the popularity of television shows. Results may be provided audibly and/or graphically on a subscriber&#39;s television display.

Description:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0001]    Customers (a/k/a “subscribers”) of modern cable or television (TV) satellite services are familiar with the concept of an on-screen programming guide or an interactive program guide (IPG). These program guides allow a subscriber to display, sort and search TV programming that is playing on the channels available to the subscriber. Typically, when a subscriber accesses the program guide, the programs on at that moment are displayed. The user can generally scroll forward in time to see what is playing later in the day, on the next day, and further ahead in time. A typical program guide allows a subscriber to display programming up to two weeks into the future. 
         [0002]    Today&#39;s television services provide hundreds of channels to chose programming content from, including movies and pay-per-view events. In the future, it is expected there will be thousands of channels. In order to make selections when faced with such a multitude of options, a subscriber may go to a magazine, newspaper or website to see what TV programs and movies are the most popular. Depending upon their preferences, subscribers may rely upon specific sources to determine popularity, such as, for example, Nielsen ratings from Nielsen Media Research of New York, N.Y. However, there presently is not any information concerning the popularity of the programs offered in these guides that are available while a subscriber is perusing the on-screen program guide. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0003]      FIG. 1   a  is an illustration of one embodiment of a computing device that can be used to practice aspects of the present invention; 
           [0004]      FIG. 1   b  is an embodiment of a processing system having a distributed communication and processing architecture that may be used to practice aspects of the present invention; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of an exemplary network architecture that may be used to practice one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 3A-3F  are exemplary television or display device screenshots showing the process of obtaining and displaying programming popularity information in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary process for providing a user with television programming popularity information while the user is interacting with an on-screen programming guide, in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary process for a user to access programming popularity information as such information is integrated into an interactive program guide, in an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is another embodiment of an exemplary process for providing a user with programming popularity information from one or more sources while the user is interacting with an on-screen programming guide. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]    Preferred embodiments that may be implemented according to the present invention now will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0011]    The preferred embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for a subscriber to make a selection from their on-screen program guide to see the popularity of available programming content. Popularity information and programming options may be brought together on a TV screen for a viewer&#39;s convenience and use. Additionally, the preferred popularity information can be applied to other directories such as, for example, video on demand movies, online games, movies currently playing in theaters, etc. 
         [0012]    As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the preferred embodiment may be implemented as a method, a data processing system, or a computer program product. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, implementations of the preferred embodiment may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, implementations of the preferred embodiments may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices. 
         [0013]    The preferred embodiments according to the present invention are described below with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatuses (i.e., systems) and computer program products according to an embodiment of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. 
         [0014]    These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readable instructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. 
         [0015]    Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
         [0016]    In the preferred embodiments referenced herein, a “computer” or “computing device” may referenced. Such computer may be, for example, a mainframe, desktop, notebook or laptop, a hand held device such as a data acquisition and storage device, or it may be a processing device embodied within another apparatus such as, for example, a set top box for a television system or a wireless telephone. In some instances the computer may be a “dumb” terminal used to access data or processors over a network. Turning to  FIG. 1   a , one embodiment of a computing device is illustrated that can be used to practice aspects of the preferred embodiment. In  FIG. 1   a , a processor  1 , such as a microprocessor, is used to execute software instructions for carrying out the defined steps. The processor receives power from a power supply  17  that also provides power to the other components as necessary. The processor  1  communicates using a data bus  5  that is typically 16 or 32 bits wide (e.g., in parallel). The data bus  5  is used to convey data and program instructions, typically, between the processor and memory. In the present embodiment, memory can be considered primary memory  2  that is RAM or other forms which retain the contents only during operation, or it may be non-volatile  3 , such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, or other types of memory that retain the memory contents at all times. The memory could also be secondary memory  4 , such as disk storage, that stores large amount of data. In some embodiments, the disk storage may communicate with the processor using an I/O bus  6  instead or a dedicated bus (not shown). The secondary memory may be a floppy disk, hard disk, compact disk, DVD, or any other type of mass storage type known to those skilled in the computer arts. 
         [0017]    The processor  1  also communicates with various peripherals or external devices using an I/O bus  6 . In the present embodiment, a peripheral I/O controller  7  is used to provide standard interfaces, such as RS-232, RS422, DIN, USB, or other interfaces as appropriate to interface various input/output devices. Typical input/output devices include local printers  18 , a monitor  8 , a keyboard  9 , and a mouse  10  or other typical pointing devices (e.g., rollerball, trackpad, joystick, etc.). 
         [0018]    The processor  1  typically also communicates using a communications I/O controller  11  with external communication networks, and may use a variety of interfaces such as data communication oriented protocols  12  such as X.25, ISDN, DSL, cable modems, etc. The communications controller  11  may also incorporate a modem (not shown) for interfacing and communicating with a standard telephone line  13 . Finally, the communications I/O controller may incorporate an Ethernet interface  14  for communicating over a LAN. Any of these interfaces may be used to access a wide area network such as the Internet, intranets, LANs, or other data communication facilities. 
         [0019]    Finally, the processor  1  may communicate with a wireless interface  16  that is operatively connected to an antenna  15  for communicating wirelessly with another device, using for example, one of the IEEE 802.11 protocols, 802.15.4 protocol, or a standard 3G wireless telecommunications protocols, such as CDMA2000 1x EV-DO, GPRS, W-CDMA, or other protocol. 
         [0020]    An alternative embodiment of a processing system that may be used is shown in  FIG. 1   b . In this embodiment, a distributed communication and processing architecture is shown involving a server  20  communicating with either a local client computer  26   a  or a remote client computer  26   b . The server  20  typically comprises a processor  21  that communicates with a database  22 , which can be viewed as a form of secondary memory, as well as primary memory  24 . The processor also communicates with external devices using an I/O controller  23  that typically interfaces with a LAN  25 . The LAN may provide local connectivity to a networked printer  28  and the local client computer  26   a . These may be located in the same facility as the server, though not necessarily in the same room. Communication with remote devices typically is accomplished by routing data from the LAN  25  over a communications facility to a wide area network  27 , such as the Internet. A remote client computer  26   b  may execute a web browser, so that the remote client  26   b  may interact with the server as required by transmitted data through the wide area network  27 , over the LAN  25 , and to the server  20 . 
         [0021]    Those skilled in the art of data networking will realize that many other alternatives and architectures are possible and can be used to practice the preferred embodiments. The embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  can be modified in different ways and be within the scope of the present invention as claimed. 
         [0022]    The preferred embodiments provide for popularity information about certain video programming to be stored by a popularity information system as referenced hereinafter. This information may be obtained from other sources such as, for example, the Nielsen Ratings that are available at www.nielsenmedia.com, or it may be derived from empirical data such as by the system polling computing devices capable of providing viewing information and/or a history of viewing information to the system. This information may be periodically or continuously updated on the system. When a customer makes a selection while viewing, for example, a program guide, a request is made to the popularity information system, which then transmits the popularity information to the customer&#39;s computing device (e.g., a set top box), where it may be displayed to the customer. 
         [0023]    An embodiment of network architecture that may be associated with an on-screen program guide with interactive program popularity information is shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 2 , a user, customer or subscriber  224  to a service provider  222  comprises a computing device such as, for example, a set top box  206 , a monitor or other display device such as, for example, a television  204 , and an input device such as, for example, a remote controller (remote)  200 . The remote  200  is used to provide selection input, which is received by the set top box  206 . Alternatively, input can be provided to the set top box  206  without utilization of a remote, such as by depressing keys incorporated into the set top box  206 , or by other means as are known in the art. The set top box  206  includes an output interface facility that provides video signals to television  204  (in known formats). The set top box  206  also includes a network interface facility that is configured to communicate with the service provider over an access network  212 . The set top box  206  recognizes multiple types of communications from the service provider, such as bidirectional data communications, which may be implemented as an Internet Protocol (IP) channel  218 , and multicast/broadcast video communications, which may be implemented as one or more quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) video channels  214 . The service provider  222  may include one or more video source systems  216  (e.g., a headend), as well as other network elements, which provide video content to access network  212 . Service provider  222  may also include a popularity information system  221 , as further described below. 
         [0024]    Although  FIG. 2  illustrates a single video source system  216  and a single subscriber  224 , there are typically numerous subscribers and/or network elements within a system. Thus, although the QAM channel  214  is illustrated as point-to-point, it may actually be a broadcast channel in a point-to-multipoint configuration. The IP channel, however, can be viewed as a point-to-point configuration. The other subscribers and network elements are not shown in  FIG. 2  for clarity reasons. 
         [0025]    The IP channel  218  provides a separate channel for bi-directional communication between the set top box  206  and the service provider. Specifically, the IP channel  218  in this embodiment provides access to popularity information system  221 , which is able to provide popularity information to the set top box  206 . Furthermore, the IP channel  218  allows feedback from the set top box  206  to be provided to the system  221  to provide real-time and historical information about the shows being watched by the user. In one embodiment, the set top box  206  overlays a window of popularity information (i.e., a popularity window) on the video data when presenting the video signal to the television, though in other embodiments the popularity information is combined with the video signal provided by the service provider. Techniques for overlaying or combining displays are known in the art. 
         [0026]    The QAM channel  214  carries video information from video source system  216 . Although the QAM channel is illustrated as a single channel, there are typically multiple channels provided over an access network. Typically, additional equipment is required to multiplex and otherwise process a variety of video channels onto the access network (e.g., modulators, amplifiers, etc.) and  FIG. 2  illustrates only a single video source system for purposes of clarity. 
         [0027]    The popularity information system  221  may be implemented using a popularity information server  220 , a program data storage  230 , and a popularity processor  228 . The popularity information server  220  may be implemented to include, for example, a web (HTTP) server or other communications protocol that allows for communications between server  220  and subscribers  224  over the access network  212 . The popularity information server  220  has access to program data storage system  230 , which stores program data, such as program guide information associated with the various programs available over the access network. The system  230  contains information regarding what programs are currently being provided by the video source  216  and at what times. It is presumed that infrastructure is in place (not shown) for automatically updating the system  230  with the appropriate information. Thus, the popularity server  220  can query (or otherwise obtain) information about which specific programs are being provided on the access network  212 . This may include which programs are available on which channels. The server  220  may also have an interface  231  to allow a trusted source  232  to enter popularity data about a particular show. In other embodiments, the popularity server may be programmed to search or reach out to specified websites such as the Nielsen data website, to obtain popularity data from various sources. The server  220  may also be connected to popularity processor  228 , which may be a computer configured to store and process popularity data from various sources. It is to be appreciated that one or more of the popularity information server  220 , the popularity processor  228  and the program data storage system  230  may be implemented in the same computer (e.g., as separate processes) or separate computers. The popularity information can be stored on the popularity processor  228  and integrated into the data communicated over access network  212  so that viewers or potential viewers of the program would be able to see the popularity of a selected program. In such a case, the system  228  provides the popularity information to the server  220  which transmits it to the set top box  206  and the set top box  206  displays it on the television screen  204 . 
         [0028]    An embodiment of the typical information flow for processing a request for a review of popularity content is now described in the context of  FIG. 2 . A user has made a selection that allows the user to review an on-screen program guide as such are known in the art to determine programming content that is currently available to the user over access network  212  (and may be available in the future). The user may also make a selection to review the popularity of programming content that is available to the user. This may be accomplished by selecting an icon on the on-screen program guide, by making a selection on the set top box  206  separate from the on-screen program guide, or by indicating in some manner by a user action that the user wishes to see the popularity of current programming content. The user&#39;s action, which may be performed by a function key (or some other keypad indication) on the remote  200 , indicates a request for programming popularity to the set top box  206 . The set top box  206  ascertains the currently available programming content and programming content that will be available in the future and sends a message  210  to the popularity server  220  over the IP channel  218  indicating the programming popularity request. The request may includes various information, such as a set top box identifier and selection criteria (further described below). 
         [0029]    The server  220  accesses the program data in system  230  to ascertain the available programs (current and in the immediate future). (Alternatively, the data could have been previously stored in the popularity server.) The server  220  provides a transmission  208  to the set top box  206  indicating program guide information for the available and upcoming programming content (alternately, such information could be provided to set top box  206  previously and stored, such as on a daily basis). The set top box  206  sends message  210  to the server  220 , where message  210  may include selection criteria for the populations information (further described below). Server  220  may then send the selection criteria in a request  226  to popularity processor  228 , which retrieves popularity information associated with the programming content, for example, using the selection criteria. Alternatively, the message  210  could be sent directly from the set top box  206  to the system  228  where popularity information associated with the programming content can be retrieved. Also alternatively, the selection criteria could be sent directly from the popularity information server  220  to the system  228  without receiving message  210 , where the selection criteria are predefined and/or default criteria (e.g., most popular programs for the past seven days). This popularity information is then provided to the set top box  206  in a transmission  234 , where it may be displayed, for example, as an overlay of the video image generated by the video signal. If equipped with the proper recording equipment (e.g., digital video recorder), the user may be provided with an option to record the selected popular program at the set top box  206  for playback at the user&#39;s convenience. 
         [0030]    Alternative embodiments to the system described above are possible. For example, in  FIG. 2 , the programming popularity information was provided via the IP channel  218  to the set top box  206 . In other embodiments, the server  220  may provide the data from which a popularity window may be generated in a video signal and provides the information to the video source system  216  which distributes the information in video form as a separate channel on the access network. (This additional channel is not shown in  FIG. 2 ). The user views the popularity window by having the set top box  206  select the popularity channel and displaying the results to the user using, for example, picture-in-picture techniques. This allows the popularity information to be processed as a separate video feed and displayed using the picture-in-picture capabilities in the television or other display device  204 . 
         [0031]    The set top box  206  may record the user&#39;s request for popularity information, as well as shows selected and/or received by a user, and keep a history of the viewer&#39;s actions. This information may be automatically conveyed to the server  220 , or retained in the set top box  206  for future downloading to the server  220 . The usage information may be stored and processed in the processor  228  in order to track viewership, popularity, etc., for example, on a real-time basis. The usage information in the popularity server may be periodically ‘pulled’ or ‘pushed’ to another computer system that generates periodic bills, in order to properly bill the viewer for such services, if billing is desired. Such information may also be used to determine the preferences of a user so that the user may be proactively notified of the popularity of recently-viewed or repetitively-viewed shows without the user having to request such information. 
         [0032]    Selection criteria may be any information that may be used to select a subset of popularity information to provide to subscriber. For example, in the preferred system, a user may be able to: select one or more particular programs and view popularity information for just the selected programs; select a program type (e.g., a genre, such as sitcoms) and view popularity information for all programs having the program type; select a video channel and view popularity information for shows on that channel; select a date range and/or time range and view popularity information for shows within that range; or any combination of the foregoing. The selection criteria may also give an option to provide real-time popularity information vs. historical information (described below). The selection criteria may be included in the message from set top box  206  to server  220  requesting popularity information, or may be default or predefined selection criteria (e.g., the most popular shows over the past seven days) that may be stored or used automatically by server  220 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3A-3E  are exemplary screenshots of a television or other display device showing the process of obtaining programming popularity information in embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 3A  an action by the user such as, for example, pressing a function key on the remote  200  has caused an on-screen channel guide  300  comprised of a combination of channels  302 , time slots  304 , and programming content  306  to be displayed on the screen  300 . Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the user has the option to make a selection  308  from the channel guide screen  300  to obtain “most watched” or popularity information about available programming. The user may make such a selection  308  by pressing a function key on the remote  200 , by using the remote to highlight the selection  308  and pressing an “enter” key on the remote  200 , or otherwise indicating that the user wants to access “most watched” information. If the user selects the “most watched information” selection  308 , then a screen is displayed similar to the exemplary one shown in  FIG. 3B , where the user is provided with some selection criteria options regarding most watched television programming, including historical information  310  and current information  311 . If, in  FIG. 3B , the user selects to review historical popularity or most watched information  310 , then the user is provided access to a screen similar to that shown in  FIG. 3C  which allows specification of additional selection criteria. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3C , a user is able to obtain historical “most watched” information for programming between two dates. In one embodiment, the date range may be limited to avoid archiving extensive amounts of back data. For instance, the user may be limited to retrieving “most watched” information for only the past six months from the present date. In  FIG. 3C , the user can enter a starting date  312 , and an ending date  314 . The dates may be entered, for example, by use of the remote  200 , though other means are contemplated. 
         [0034]    Once the dates are entered, the selection criteria are transferred from the set top box  206  to the server  220 , for example, as part of message  210 . The popularity server then accesses the system  228  to obtain popularity information for programming using the selection criteria—in this example, the most popular programming available over the access network between the two dates. The popularity or “most watched” information is then transferred from the system  228  to the server  220  and downloaded to the set top box  206 , where it is displayed to the user on the user&#39;s display device  204  (e.g., television). An exemplary screen illustrating a form of displaying the results for the “most watched” programming between the two dates is shown in  FIG. 3D . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3D , a bar graph  316  is used to show the relative viewership of programming  318  that was available between the dates provided. It is to be appreciated that many different forms of representing the viewership information may be used, including lists, pie charts, line graphs, audible information, etc. 
         [0035]    Referring back to  FIG. 3B , if the user selected current “most watched” information  311 , then selection criteria indicating real-time popularity information are transferred from the set top box  206  to the server  220 , for example, as part of message  210 . The popularity server then accesses the system  228  to obtain popularity information for programming using the selection criteria—in this example, the most popular programming currently available over the access network. Present viewership may, in one embodiment, be determined by use of set top boxes at subscribers  224  capable of providing real-time feedback about programs being viewed by a user, such as the set top box described above. As described above, present viewership information is obtained from users&#39; set top boxes  206  through the popularity information server  220  and collected and processed by the popularity processor  228 . In other embodiments, present viewership may be obtained from websites or services that monitor the viewing habits of the users. The popularity or “most watched” information is then transferred from the system  228  to the server  220  and downloaded to the set top box  206 , where it is displayed to the user on the user&#39;s display device  204  (e.g., television), which may take the form of a screen similar to the one shown in  FIG. 3E , where currently-available programming  320  is ranked  322  according to the present viewership. Also shown is the channel  324  on which the ranked shows are currently being shown. 
         [0036]    Another embodiment of a screen for displaying “most watched” information is shown in  FIG. 3F , which is historical based, and shows the most popular programs  326  by the time slots  328  in which the programs are shown and their respective channels  330 . 
         [0037]    The embodiment of FIGS.  2  and  3 A- 3 F is but one example of many different ways that the preferred systems and processes can be implemented. It is to be appreciated that there are several ways that the channel guide may be displayed as well as various ways to make selections that are displayed on the screen and to be made aware of programming popularity information. For instance, in one embodiment voice commands rather than a remote may be used to make screen selections and information may be visually displayed on the screen(s) or it may be audible, or combinations thereof. 
         [0038]    The preferred embodiments of the system described above may be used to provide a user with most watched programming content as a feature of an interactive program guide, as further described in the processes described herein.  FIG. 4  illustrates a process for providing a user with most watched or most popular television programming while the user is interacting with an on-screen programming guide. In Step  402  of  FIG. 4 , a popularity information system is provided where programming popularity information from one or more sources is stored, processed and made available for retrieval. The programming popularity information may be entered by the one or more sources through an interface such as a web interface, or the system may obtain the programming popularity information from one or more other websites, or the system may obtain the information by polling user video-receiving computing devices (e.g., set top boxes) accessible to the system over the access network. At Step  404 , the user is provided an interactive programming guide via the computing device and a display device connected thereto, which allows the user to be informed of the one or more available programming options, at a request initiated by the user. At Step  406 , the programming popularity information is downloaded to the user&#39;s computing device, for example, when such information is selectively chosen by the user. In various embodiments, the programming popularity information may be overlayed over or combined with the video image included in the video signal from the set top box to the display device. The display device may be a television, a monitor, etc. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  describes a process for a user to access programming popularity information. At Step  502 , a user selects an interactive program guide from a video-receiving computing device (e.g., a set top box) that is connected to a display device, and the interactive program guide is displayed on the display device (e.g., television). At Step  504 , the user makes a selection to obtain information about programming that is most watched by selecting an icon or using other selection means as are known in the art and that may be made known to the user as part of the interactive programming guide. The selection may include various selection criteria, and may be sent to the popularity information system. At Step  506 , and as a result of the selection made in Step  504 , the user is made aware of the programming popularity (i.e., “most watched”) of the programming available to the user. In one embodiment, the user may view a historical collection of popularity information. In another embodiment, the user is provided the popularity information for video programming that is currently being provided over the access network. The user may also be able to go directly to a showing of the programs described in the popularity information. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is another embodiment of a process for providing a user with television programming popularity information from one or more sources while the user is interacting with an on-screen programming guide. In Step  602  of  FIG. 6 , a popularity information system is provided where programming popularity information of the one or more sources is stored, processed and made accessible to video-receiving computing devices (e.g., set top boxes) attached to the access network and also connected to display devices (e.g., televisions). The programming popularity information includes identifying information about a program and information about the number of users tuned to that program during one or more showings of the program. The programming popularity information is updated on a periodic basis to reflect the changing programming content over time. At Step  604 , program guide data about current and upcoming program content is stored on the popularity information system. At Step  606 , and based upon the program guide data, programming popularity information from the one or more sources is downloaded to one of the video-receiving computing devices attached to the access network. At Step  608 , a user selects to view an interactive programming guide from the computing device. At Step  610 , the user selectively chooses to review program popularity information from the one or more sources made available to the user as part of the interactive programming guide. And, at Step  612 , the programming popularity information is displayed on the display device to the user. 
       Modifications and Alternative Embodiments 
       [0041]    Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions of the preferred embodiments. For instance, the popularity information may be provided audibly rather than (or in addition to) visually. Also, the popularity information may be presented in formats that are not shown herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather to the appended claims, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in an inclusively descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.