Patent Publication Number: US-8997156-B2

Title: Systems and methods for distributing user generated content

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Content distribution systems, such as broadcast television networks, are typically closed to independently created content, such as independent films and user generated content. Thus, most independent content is distributed instead over the internet through various web portals. While these web portals are available worldwide, they do not have the same ease of use as watching content on television. Moreover, unless a person is specifically looking for a type of independent content, it is unlikely that the user will find such content through the aforementioned web portals. Thus, it would be desirable to allow distribution of independently created content over standard television communication networks, such as cable, satellite, internet protocol television (IPTV) and/or terrestrial over-the-air (OTA) systems. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The same number represents the same element or same type of element in all drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a distribution system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a satellite distribution network. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of functional components of the aggregation server of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a television receiver. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of an electronic programming guide (EPG) outputted by the control logic of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a schedule outputted by the control logic of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a process for distributing video. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various embodiments described herein generally provide apparatus, systems and methods which facilitate the reception, processing, outputting and communication of content from one or more sources, via one or more communications mediums (or networks), to one or more communication devices for presentation to one or more end-users. 
     In at least one embodiment, the content to be received, processed, outputted and/or communicated may come in any of various forms including, but not limited to, audio, video, data, information, or otherwise. As used herein, “content” refers to information communicated via a media (e.g., on a web page or otherwise) without concern as to the design, placement or layout of the information on the media. Further, as used herein, “user generated content” generally refers to various kinds of content produced by end-users (e.g., television viewers), as opposed to traditional media producers such as professional writers, publishers, journalists, licensed broadcasters and production companies. As used herein, user generated content may include independent films and other content created by independent media outlets. By contrast, as used herein, “media content” generally refers to content produced by the traditional media producers rather than end-users. It is to be appreciated, however, that “content,” regardless of whether “user generated”, “media content” or otherwise, includes videos, video clips, photographs, sound recordings, text files, graphical images and the like or any combination thereof. 
     In at least one embodiment, an aggregation server receives content from a plurality of users. The content may have similar characteristics (e.g., a similar genre, subject and the like) or may be dissimilar, depending on desired design criteria. The aggregation server processes the received content and identifies a broadcast time for each of the content files. The broadcast time may be identified based on various factors, such as the subject/genre of the content, the author of the content, length of the content and the like. The aggregation server then transmits the content to a distribution system for broadcast over a communication network at the identified broadcast time for each piece of content. 
     In at least one embodiment, user generated content may be broadcast by a service provider on a dedicated channel of a service. For example, a satellite television provider may dedicate one or more linear channels of their service for presentation of user generated content. User generated content is received from various viewers and broadcast over the satellite network to client terminals of the satellite network for viewing by users. In at least one embodiment, an employee of the provider screens received content to filter objectionable material prior to broadcasting. 
     In some embodiments, user generated content may be interspersed within traditional media content. For example, a satellite provider may offer channels which include some media content, such as short clips, news stories and the like which are broadcast interspersed with various user generated content. In at least one embodiment, user generated content may be broadcast on a channel interspersed with commercials or other types of advertising content. For example, advertising banners may be overlaid onto a bottom portion of the screen during broadcast of the user generated content. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a distribution system  100 . In this embodiment, the distribution system  100  is configured to receive, combine, output and communicate content to end-users. None, some or all of the content communicated to end-users can be “user generated content” or information based thereon. Further, none, some or all of the content can be “media content” or information based thereon. The distribution system  100  includes communication devices  102 ,  104 ,  106 , a communication network  108 , an aggregation server  110  and a broadcasting system  112 . The distribution system  100  may include other components, elements or devices not illustrated for the sake of brevity. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , each user  114 ,  116  and  118  utilizes one or more communication devices  102 ,  104  and  106  to receive content from the broadcasting system  112  via the communication network  108 . Examples of communication devices include, but are not limited to, televisions, television receivers (e.g., cable, satellite, IPTV or terrestrial set-top boxes) computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other computing devices, and/or mobile communication devices (e.g., mobile or wireless telephones). Communication devices  102 ,  104  and  106  may provide for receive capability only (e.g., televisions, television receivers, stereo systems), receive and transmit capabilities (e.g., bidirectional television receivers, wireless telephones, wired telephones, computers, two-way radios, and WiFi PDAs), or transmission only capabilities (e.g., video or still cameras and audio recording devices). Communication devices may be combined, as desired, to provide any combination of receive and/or transmit communication capabilities. 
     Distribution system  100  also includes one or more communication networks  108 . The communication network  108  may utilize any desired combination of wired (e.g., cable and fiber) and/or wireless (e.g., cellular, wireless, satellite, microwave, and radio frequency) communication mediums and any desired network topology (or topologies when multiple mediums are utilized). Further, any given user  114 ,  116  and  118  may utilize one or more communication networks to receive and/or transmit content by and between the aggregation server  110  and/or the broadcasting system  112 . Exemplary communication networks include television distribution networks (e.g., satellite, cable, OTA and IPTV television networks), wireless communication networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTN), and local area networks (LAN) or wide area networks (WAN) providing data communication services. 
     Aggregation server  110  is operable for receiving content from one or more of communication devices  102 ,  104  and  106 . In at least one embodiment, aggregation server  110  is operable for receiving various forms and types of user generated content such as polling data, user generated and/or provided videos, demographic data, user preferences, user opinions, statistical data, and the like. The aggregation server  110  is further operable to identify which received content is to be broadcast by the broadcasting system  112  over one or more channels of the broadcasting system  112 . In at least one embodiment, the aggregation server  110  may schedule broadcast times for content which is to be broadcast by the broadcasting system  112 . 
     Each of the communication devices  102 ,  104  and  106  may comprise any type of device capable of transmitting content and/or receiving content and presenting content to a user  114 ,  116  and  118  or outputting received content to an associated presentation device for presentation to a user  114 ,  116  and  118 . For example, each of communication devices  102 ,  104  and/or  106  may comprise a television receiver (e.g., cable, satellite, IPTV or OTA) that receives television signals and responsively outputs audio/video content to an associated television or other type of display device. In at least one embodiment, any of the communication devices  102 ,  104  and/or  106  may be operable to provide content to the aggregation server  110 , but may not be able to receive content from the broadcasting system  112 . For example, the communication device  102  may be a computer that uploads content to the aggregation server  110  via the internet, but may be unable to receive content broadcast over a television network. Likewise, a communication device  102 ,  104  and  106  may be able to receive content but may be unable to transmit content to the aggregation server  110 . For example, the communication device  104  may comprise a satellite television receiver that receives content from the communication network  108  but that does not include a back channel to communicate data back to the aggregation server  110  and/or the broadcasting system  112 . 
     The identification of which content is to be broadcast may be performed automatically, semi-automatically or manually (e.g., based upon user input or direction). For example, an operator  120  may manually review received content to approve/deny such received content for distribution by the broadcasting system  112 . In at least one embodiment, the aggregation server  110  may identify which content to transmit automatically based upon attributes associated with the content. For example, content relating to a certain subject or genre or created by a certain individual may be automatically approved for distribution by the broadcasting system  112 . In at least one embodiment, the aggregation server  110  may provide uploaded videos over the internet through a web interface where visitors can provide feedback regarding the videos. Such feedback may be utilized to determine which videos are to be distributed by the broadcasting system  112  and/or the broadcast time of such videos. 
     The aggregation server  110  transmits the content identified for broadcast to the broadcasting system  112 . The broadcasting system  112  is operable to communicate the content to one or more communication devices  102 ,  104  and  106  via one or more communication networks  108 . It is to be appreciated that the users receiving the communicated content from the broadcasting system  112  can be the same or different than those users providing the information to the aggregation server  110 . 
     For example, the aggregation server  110  may be configured to receive information from a first user  114  via a first communication device  102  (e.g., a mobile telephone) and may initiate communication of the content to users  116  and  118  through the communication devices  104  and  106  (e.g., satellite or cable receivers). In at least one embodiment, a first user  114  may transmit content to the aggregation server  110  via the first communication device  102  (e.g., a satellite television receiver), but such content may be distributed to other satellite television receivers (e.g., communication devices  104  and  106 ) and may not be distributed to the communication device  102 . For example, the communication device  102  may not be capable of receiving data from a satellite of the communication network  108  utilized by the broadcasting system  112  to transmit the content on a particular channel of the satellite provider&#39;s service. In at least one embodiment, the aggregation server  110  may receive content from one or more computers and may initiate distribution of the content over a television distribution network to various television receivers. 
     In at least one embodiment, content aggregated by the aggregation server  110  may be transmitted through a plurality of broadcasting systems  112 . For example, content may be transmitted over a satellite television network, a cable television network and a wireless telephone network simultaneously. The format of the content presented on each of the communication devices  102 ,  104  and  106  may differ depending on the presentation capabilities of each device. For example, communication devices  102  and  104  (e.g., satellite television receivers) can be configured to receive standard definition and/or high definition video from aggregation server  110 , while the communication device  106  (e.g., a mobile telephone) may receive reduced resolution video from aggregation server  110 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the aggregation server  110  is operable to format received content as appropriate for transmission across various networks. For example, the aggregation server  110  may format content for transmission across a wireless network to fit the screen resolution of the mobile device. In at least one embodiment, the aggregation server  110  transcodes content from a received format (e.g., Windows Media) into a format utilized by the broadcasting system  112  (e.g., MPEG-4). 
     The selection process of content transmitted by the broadcasting system  112  may be performed based on desired design criteria, such as subject/genre of the content, time limits imposed on television programming, bandwidth capabilities of distribution network  100 , or storage limitations associated with the communication devices  102 ,  104  and  106 . In at least one embodiment, a television provider may utilize various monetary models to determine which user generated content to broadcast. For example, the aggregation server  110  may select content based on a pay-model, such as set prices for particular time slots/channels or an auction bidding model that places high bid requests at more desirable time slot and/or channels. 
     Other types of rating schemes may also be utilized to select content for viewing based on monetary considerations as well as other factors when selecting content for viewing. For example, the aggregation server  110  may receive feedback regarding various user generated content that is broadcast and may generate a creator rating based on the feedback. The creator rating may be used to prioritize content uploaded to the aggregation server  110  for transmission. In at least one embodiment, a user with a lower creator rating may obtain a higher priority by paying a larger monetary consideration such that their content will be transmitted in a more desirable time slot than a user with a higher creator rating that does not pay the same monetary consideration. It is to be appreciated that other content ranking and selection techniques may be utilized in accordance with the distribution techniques described herein. 
     In at least one embodiment, the broadcasting system  112  may broadcast content identified for distribution by the aggregation server  110  over a channel of a television distribution network. For example, a satellite television provider may dedicate one or more channels of its service for distributing independent film or user generated content. The scheduling of content on a channel may be determined based on desired design criteria. For example, content may be grouped together according to subject or genre. Thus, a particular time slot (e.g., 7:00 PM to 8:00 P.M.) may be dedicated to clips related to a specific subject. Another time slot (e.g., 8:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.) may show clips related to a different subject. 
     In at least one embodiment, the scheduled times of specific content may be determined based on a length of the content. For example, the afternoon time slots of the channel may be dedicated to short clips (e.g., 10 minutes in length or less) whereas primetime slots may be dedicated to full length movies (e.g., several hours in length). In at least one embodiment, the broadcast time of particular content may be based on a priority assigned to the content. 
     For example, priorities may be assigned to content based on various attributes of the content, such as length, subject or author. In some embodiments, priority may be based upon a payment model, where payment of a higher fee allows the content to be assigned a higher priority. Certain time slots are more desirable than other (e.g., primetime time slots are better than timeslots in the middle of the night). Thus, the aggregation server  110  may assign broadcast times that are more desirable to higher priority programming. In at least one embodiment, a user  114 ,  116  or  118  may request a specific time slot for broadcasting of their content. If the time slot is available, then the aggregation server  110  may assign the requested timeslot to the content. In at least one embodiment, if the timeslot has been requested by multiple users, then the aggregation server  110  may resolve the conflict according to a priority scheme as described above. 
     In at least one embodiment, a user  114 ,  116  or  118  may transmit content to the aggregation server  110  in association with a contact list. The contact list may identify other users via any type of identifier, such as name, username, phone number, email address, communication device identifier, MAC address or the like. After identifying a broadcast time for the content, the aggregation server  110  may transmit messages to communication devices of each member of the contact list, indicating the broadcast time of the program. 
     The messages may be transmitted to the same device or a different device than the members of the contact list would utilize to view the content at the indicated broadcast time. For example, messages may be sent to television receivers of the members of the contact list. In at least one embodiment, a television receiver may provide a prompt informing a user regarding the broadcast time for the content. The user may then decide whether to watch such content. In at least one embodiment, the message may specify a recording command to the television receiver. The recording command may thus responsively record the program for later viewing by a user. For example, a program may be broadcast when the members of the contact list are unlikely to be watching television, e.g., the middle of the night. However, the television receiver will record the program for subsequent viewing. The recording command may be executed automatically by the television receiver or may prompt the user to accept the recording command, depending on desired design criteria. 
     In at least one embodiment, a message initiated by the aggregation server  110  may be delivered to a communication device that is different than what a member of the contact list would utilize to receive the broadcasted content. For example, a user may receive broadcasted content via a television receiver (e.g., cable or satellite). However, the message informing the user of the broadcast time of the content may be sent via email to the user&#39;s computer or via text to the user&#39;s mobile telephone. 
     In at least one embodiment, the aggregation server  110  stores preferences regarding various users, such as their preferred contact method. Thus, when a user  114 ,  116  or  118  uploads content and provides a contact list, the aggregation server  110  may determine the appropriate method for contacting each user of the contact list. For example, some users may prefer to be notified via text or email, whereas other users may prefer to be notified via a reminder displayed on their television receiver. Some users may prefer that the television receiver automatically record content created by their friends, whereas other users may desire to have an option to approve/reject the recording of their friend&#39;s content. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a satellite distribution network  200 . The satellite distribution network  200  includes an aggregation server  110 , a content source  202 , an uplink system  204 , two satellites  206  and  208 , satellite antennas  210 A,  210 B and  210 C, satellite receivers  212 A,  212 B and  212 C, display devices  214 A,  214 B and  214 C and data network  222 . Each of these components is discussed in greater detail below. The satellite distribution network  200  may include other components, elements or devices not illustrated for the sake of brevity and the further discussion of components common to  FIG. 1  is omitted. 
     The content source  202  is operable for receiving and/or generating content for communication to one or more satellite receivers  212 A- 212 C. The content to be received, processed, outputted and/or communicated may come in any of various forms including, but not limited to, audio, video, data, information, or otherwise. In at least one embodiment, the content source  202  is operable for receiving various forms and types of content from other sources, aggregating the content and initiating transmission of the content via the satellites  206 - 208  to the satellite receivers  212 A- 212 C. It is to be appreciated that the content source  202  may receive practically any form and/or type of information from one or more sources including streaming television programming, recorded audio or video, electronic programming guide data and the like. 
     The uplink system  204  receives content from the content source  202  and/or the aggregation server  110  and uplinks the received content to one or more satellites  206  and  208 . The satellites  206  and  208  are configured to receive the uplinked content and transmit the content to one or more satellite antennas  210 A- 210 C. The content transmitted by satellites  206  and  208  may be the same or different depending on desired design criteria. For example, a satellite television provider may operate a fleet of satellites  206  and  208 , each carrying different channels of content. Thus, each satellite antenna  210 A- 210 C receives the channels carried by the satellites  206  and  208  for which the satellite antenna  210 A- 210 C has a line of site to the corresponding orbital location. Some content/channels may be duplicated across multiple satellites, whereas other content/channels may be carried exclusively on one satellite  206  or  208 . 
     As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the satellite antenna  210 A receives content from the satellite  206 . The satellite antenna  210 B is capable of receiving content from both satellites  206  and  208  and the satellite antenna  210 C is capable of receiving content from the satellite  208 . Thus, the satellite antenna  210 A does not receive a signal from satellite  208  and similarly, the satellite antenna  210 C does not receive a signal from satellite  206 . The satellite receivers  212 A- 212 C are communicatively coupled to the satellite antennas  210 A- 210 C, respectively, and are configured to receive satellite signals and tune/decode selected programming for output to an associated display device  214 A- 214 C for viewing by the users  216 ,  218  and  220 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the satellite receiver  212 A is communicatively coupled to the aggregation server  110  through the data network  222 . Thus, the satellite receiver  212 A is capable of uploading content to the aggregation server  110 . For example, the satellite receiver  212 A may be coupled to a video camera that captures audio/video data. The user  216  may provide input instructing the satellite receiver  212 A to upload the audio/video data to the aggregation server  110 . The aggregation server  110  processes the received audio/video data and provides the content to the uplink system  204  for transmission to one or more of the satellites  206  and  208 . At least one of the satellites  206  and  208  receives the content from the uplink system  204  and transmits the content to one or more of the satellite receivers  212 A- 212 C. 
     As previously described, the satellite receiver  212 A is not capable of receiving content transmitted by the satellite  208 . Thus, if the uplink system  204  transmits the content uploaded by the user  216  to the satellite  208  for transmission, then the user  216  will be unable to view the content, as the satellite antenna  210 A does not receive content from the satellite antenna  208 . However, the users  218  and  220  will both have the ability to view the content uploaded by the user  216 . 
     In some situations, the user  216  may desire for their content to be transmitted via a satellite  206 ,  208  from which they are unable to receive content. For example, the user  216  may be located in Alaska and may receive content from the satellite  206  at the 148° orbital location. Signals from satellite  206  are not available in the Eastern half of the United States. However, the satellite  208  may be located at the orbital location 61.5°, which is available in most of the United States, but particularly not in Alaska. Thus, if the user  216  desires for their content to be broadcast to the widest audience, then satellite  208  is more desirable to the user  216  for transmission of the content than satellite  206   
     However, the user  216  may desire for their content to be transmitted via a satellite  206 ,  208  from which the satellite receiver  212 A can receive content. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the satellite receiver  212 A may upload supplemental information to the aggregation server, in association with the content generated by the user  216 , identifying from which of the satellites  206  and  208  that the satellite receiver  212 A can receive content. For example, the supplemental information may identify that the satellite receiver  212 A is capable of receiving content from satellite  206  but not satellite  208 . In at least one embodiment, the supplemental information may be embodied as a switch matrix associated with the satellite receiver  212 A. 
     The aggregation server  212  processes the supplemental information to select an appropriate channel for broadcast of the user generated content. For example, the satellite  206  may carry a first linear channel of user generated content and the satellite  208  may carry a second linear channel of user generated content. The aggregation server  212  processes the supplemental information and selects the first channel for broadcast of the user generated content from the user  216 . Thus, the user  216  will be able to see their own programming broadcast through the satellite network to their satellite receiver  212 A. 
     It is to be appreciated that the supplemental information may be processed in association with other factors, as outlined herein, by the aggregation server  110  for selecting content for broadcast. For example, a priority for the user&#39;s  216  video may be assigned based on a creator rating, subject, genre, requested time slot or the like. Thus, in some embodiments, even if the satellite receiver  212 A provides supplemental information requesting broadcast of the user&#39;s  216  video over the satellite  206 , the aggregation server  110  may still broadcast the video over the satellite  208  if the aggregation server  110  is unable to accommodate the request by the user  216 . This could happen for example if the priority of the user&#39;s  216  video is less than videos of other users that have requested broadcast of their videos over a channel carried on the satellite  208 . 
     In at least one embodiment, a user  216  may provide a contact list in association with uploading content to the aggregation server  110 . For example, take the situation where the contact list for the user  216  specifies the users  218  and  220 . The aggregation server  110  may process the contact list to notify the members of the contact list when the associated content is to be broadcast over the satellite distribution network  200 . For example, the aggregation server  110  may initiate delivery of messages to the satellite receivers  212 B and  212 C, notifying the users  218  and  220  regarding the broadcast time of the video. In at least one embodiment, the satellite receivers  212 B and  212 C provide a popup message to the users  218  and  220  as a reminder of the broadcast time. 
     In some embodiments, the messages to the satellite receivers  212 B and  212 C may include a recording command, requesting/instructing the satellite receivers  212 B and  212 C to record the selected video at the specified broadcast time. The recording command may be processed and executed automatically by the satellite receivers  212 B and  212 C without intervention by the users  218  and  220 . In at least one embodiment, the satellite receivers  212 B and  212 C may solicit input from the users  218  and  220  approving the recording commands before execution. 
     In some embodiments, messages may not be sent to members of the contact list if the are unable to receive the referenced content. For example, the video of the user  216  may be broadcast via a channel carried on the satellite  206 . Thus, the user  220  will be unable to receive the video via the satellite receiver  212 C and the aggregation server  110  may process profile data of the users  218  and  220  to determine whether to transmit a message to each user  218  and  220 . In the illustrated embodiment, the aggregation server  110  determines that the user  220  will be unable to receive the content and does not transmit a message to the user  220 . 
     While the aggregation server  110  may transmit messages with the satellite distribution network  200 , the aggregation server  110  may also transmit reminder messages to the contact list members via other communication networks, such as email or wireless telephone networks. For example, the aggregation server  110  may initiate transmission of short message service (SMS) messages to wireless telephones associated with the users  218  and  220  specifying the broadcast time of the user&#39;s  216  video. Similarly, the aggregation server  110  may initiate delivery of emails or the like to communication devices associated with the users  218  and  220 . 
     While  FIG. 2  illustrates user generated content and/or media content being transmitted via a satellite distribution network  200 , it is to be appreciated that similar distribution techniques may be utilized to transmit content over cable distribution networks, IPTV networks, terrestrial OTA networks and the like. In any of these embodiments, an aggregation server may receive supplemental information, from a user uploading content, specifying the channels from which the user&#39;s communication device is capable of receiving. Thus, the aggregation server may process the supplemental information to accommodate delivery of the content, if possible, as requested by the user uploading the content. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of functional components of aggregation server  110  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  will be discussed in reference to satellite distribution network  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Aggregation server  110 A comprises interface module  302  operable for receiving user generated content  312  from a plurality of users  216 ,  218  and  220  (see  FIG. 2 ). Interface module  302  may comprise a web server or any other type of interface for receiving video and other data uploads and transmissions from the satellite receivers  212 A- 212 C or other communication devices, such as computers, mobile telephones, PDAs video game consoles and the like. For example, user  218  may upload user generated content  312  as an MPEG video to the interface module  302  using a web page provided by interface module  302 . In at least one embodiment, the user  216  may upload user generated content  312  via an application operating on the satellite receiver  212 A. 
     It is to be appreciated that other techniques may also be utilized to capture user generated content  312 . For example, the satellite receiver  212 A or a wireless telephone may be operable to capture and transmit streaming data to interface module  302  (e.g., using a video camera capturing content in real-time). Any of the satellite receiver  212 A- 212 C may also be operable to provide an editing module for users  216 ,  218  and  220  to modify the stream of data transmitted to interface module  302  once the capturing process is complete. 
     Aggregation server  110 A also comprises a feedback module  304  operable for receiving feedback data  316  responsive to presentation of the content. For example, the feedback module  304  may provide videos via a web interface where users may provide feedback data  316  regarding the videos. In at least one embodiment, a satellite receiver  212 A- 212 C presents videos to a user  216 ,  218  or  220  and receives feedback from the user  216 ,  218 ,  220 . The satellite receiver  212 A- 212 C then transmits the feedback data  316  to the feedback module  304 . 
     Aggregation server  110 A further comprises content module  306  operable to receive feedback data  316  from feedback module  304  and user generated content  312  from interface module  302  and generate broadcast data  318  for transmission to the satellite receivers  212 A- 212 C. Content module  306  may be operable to generate the broadcast data  318  in multiple formats, each appropriate for presentation by different types of devices. For example, the content may be transmitted to a television, a mobile communication device and/or a computer. Thus, each of television, a mobile communication device or a computer may receive a format of the broadcast data  318  for presentation within the capabilities of the device. 
     In at least one embodiment, the content module  306  utilizes the feedback data  316  to assign priorities to the user generated content  312 . The priorities are then utilized by the content module  306  to identify broadcast times for the user generated content  312 . For example, the content module  306  may utilize the feedback data  316  regarding a user&#39;s previously uploaded videos to assign a broadcast priority to recently uploaded user generated content  312 . Thus, if viewers have liked the creator&#39;s previously uploaded videos, then the user generated content  312  will be more likely to be broadcast and/or receive a more desirable time slot. The content module  306  may process other factors, such as a subject/genre of the user generated content, to identify a broadcast time of the user generated content  312 , depending on desired design criteria. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various functional elements  302  through  306  shown as operable within aggregation server  110 A may be combined into fewer discrete elements or may be broken up into a larger number of discrete functional elements as a matter of design choice. Thus, the particular functional decomposition suggested by  FIG. 3  is intended merely as exemplary of one possible functional decomposition of elements within the aggregation server  110 A. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a television receiver  FIG. 4  will be discussed in reference to the satellite distribution network  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . However, it is to be appreciated that the television receiver  400  may be utilized with an over-the-air (OTA) transmission system, a cable television transmission system or an internet protocol television (IPTV) transmission system through the use of an appropriate communication interface (e.g., a tuner). The television receiver  400  includes a communication interface  402 , control logic  406 , an input interface  408  and a storage medium  404 . Each of these components will be discussed in greater detail below. The satellite receiver  400  may include other elements, components or devices which are not illustrated for the sake of brevity. 
     The communication interface  402  is operable to receive an audio/video input  410  from a satellite antenna  210 A- 210 C. In at least one embodiment, the communication interface  402  may comprise multiple tuners, utilized by the television receiver  400  to output and/or record multiple television programs simultaneously. 
     The storage medium  404  is operable to persistently store video signals recorded by the television receiver  400 . The storage medium  404  may comprise any type of non-volatile memory appropriate for storing video signals recorded by the television receiver  400 . Exemplary storage mediums  404  include hard drives (e.g., magnetic memory), flash memory, battery backed up memory and the like. In at least one embodiment, the storage medium  404  may be internally located within the television receiver  400 . In other embodiments, the storage medium  404  may be located external with respect to the television receiver  400 . The television receiver  400  may also utilize a combination of internal and external storage mediums  404  for storage of video signals. 
     The input interface  408  is operable to wirelessly receive data from a remote control (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). The input interface  408  may communicate with a remote control utilizing any type of IR or RF communication link. In at least one embodiment, the input interface  408  receives a key code from a remote control (not shown in the Figures) and responsively provides the key code to the control logic  406  for processing. In some embodiments, the input interface  408  may receive positional information from a scrolling device of the remote control, e.g., a touch pad, scroll wheel or the like. The data received from the remote control may be utilized by the control logic  406  to control the output of content by the control logic  406 . Some of the data received by the input interface  408  may request to view electronic programming guide data, menus and the like. 
     The control logic  406  is operable to control the operation of the television receiver  400 . The control logic  406  may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices that cooperatively operate to control the operation of the television receiver  400 . The control logic  406  may include various components or modules for processing and outputting audio/video content. Exemplary components or modules for processing audio/video content include a demodulator, a decoder, a decompressor, a conditional access module and a transcoder module. 
     The control logic  406  coordinates storage of the audio/video input  410  onto the storage medium  404 . More particularly, the control logic  406  operates responsive to recording timers configured on the television receiver  400  to command the communication interface  402  to receive content from a specified channel and coordinates storage of the content onto the storage medium  404 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the control logic  406  is operable to generate an audio/video output  412  based on the audio/video input  410 , e.g., pass through the signal for display by an associated presentation device. The control logic  406  is also operable to retrieve stored video content from the storage medium  404  to generate an audio/video output  412  for display by a display device (e.g., display device  214 A- 214 C). The presentation device then presents the audio/video output  412  to a user. The control logic  406  may incorporate circuitry to output the audio/video streams in any format recognizable by the presentation device  108 , including composite video, component video, Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI),  1394  and WiFi. The control logic  406  may also incorporate circuitry to support multiple types of these or other audio/video formats. In at least one embodiment, as described above, the television receiver  400  may be integrated with a presentation device (e.g., display device  214 A- 214 C), and the control logic  406  may be operable to control the presentation of the audio/video output  412  by the presentation device. 
     In at least one embodiment, the control logic  406  is operable to present electronic programming guides and other menus that allow a user  216 ,  218  and  220  to select various programming for viewing. As described above, a satellite or cable television provider may dedicate one or more channels of their service to broadcasting user generated content. In at least one embodiment, user generated content may be grouped together by genre/subject, with like content being broadcast in similar timeslots. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of an electronic programming guide (EPG)  500  outputted by the control logic  406  of  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in the EPG  500 , there are two channels,  100  and  101 , dedicated to showing user generated content. Because many user generated videos are short in length, e.g., less than the typical half hour or hour time slot, like videos may be grouped together by subject. For example, videos showing babies may be grouped together in the time slot from 7:00 to 8:00 on channel  100 . Similarly, travel videos may be grouped together in an adjacent time slot from 8:30 to 9:00. 
     The timeslots may show many different videos, each having varying lengths. For example, some baby videos may be 30 seconds or less in length, whereas other videos may be several minutes in length. Any number of user videos may be broadcast in a designated time slot, depending on the available time to show such videos. For example, if each video averaged one minute in length, then an hour time slot could broadcast 60 videos, if no commercial breaks are interspersed in between. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the layout of EPG  500  does not provide enough granularity to view specific videos that are broadcast within a specified time slot. However, such granularity can be provided within an EPG, such that a user can view the exact time within a time slot for which a desired video is to be shown and/or set the television receiver  400  to record the desired video. For example, a user may utilize the cursor  502  to select the cell  504  corresponding with the program “People Doing Stupid Things.” In response to selection of the cell  504 , the control logic outputs a more granular schedule  600  for a particular time slot as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the schedule  600  shows each user generated video to be broadcast during the relevant timeslot. By viewing the schedule  600 , a user can see exactly what time a particular video will be shown. Thus, the user does not need to view all one and a half hours of programming in the time slot waiting for a desired video to come on. Additionally, a user can select to record a particular video rather than an entire time slot. Therefore, the user can view just the desired video at a subsequent time and/or save the desired video for later viewing without wasting space on the storage medium  404  storing content that they do not desire to view. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a process for distributing video. More particularly,  FIG. 7  illustrates a process for receiving and distributing user generated content and/or independent films. The process of  FIG. 7  may include other operations not illustrated for the sake of brevity. 
     The process includes receiving a first content file from a first user (operation  702 ). The first content file may be received from any source, such as a web interface or via a mobile telephone or television receiver application. In some embodiments, a user may provide supplemental information in association with the content file, such as a description, genre, creator, director, actors and the like, describing attributes of the content. The user may also provide other supplemental information in association with the content, such as a user contact list, a channel transmission request and the like. 
     The process further includes receiving a second content file from a second user (operation  704 ). Operation  704  may be performed similarly to operation  702  and additional description of the operation is omitted herein. 
     The process further includes receiving user input approving each of the plurality of content files for broadcast through a communication network (operation  706 ). For example, an operator of a television provider may review each content file for objectionable material and/or other factors and approve or reject the content for broadcast. In at least one embodiment, the operator may additionally describe and/or categorize the content into appropriate categories for grouping during broadcast. 
     The process further includes identifying a priority for each content file based on associated attributes for the content file (operation  708 ). For example, a category of the content may be used to determine the priority of the content. In at least one embodiment, the priority for the content may be identified based on input of the aforementioned operator. As described above, creator ratings of the creator and/or user uploading the content may also be utilized to identify the priority. 
     The process further includes scheduling a broadcast time for each content file based on the priority (operation  710 ). For example, content assigned a higher priority may be broadcast more often and/or at more desirable times. In at least one embodiment, the broadcast time is determined based on a category/genre associated with the content. For example, baby videos may be shown during a particular time slot and sports videos during another time slot. 
     The process further includes broadcasting each of the content files through the communication network at the identified broadcast time for the content file (operation  712 ). Communication devices of users receive the broadcasted content and output the content for presentation. Thus, user generated content is broadcasted over a more traditional television channel and available to a wider audience than previously available for such independently created content. 
     Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.