Patent ID: 7694319

Claim:
An interactive television program guide system in which program guide data is provided and wherein the program guide data includes unique identifiers associated with television programs, the system comprising: a continuous data stream processor configured to select a particular unique identifier associated with a particular television program for inclusion in a continuous data stream, wherein the particular television program belongs to a program grouping; distribution equipment configured to distribute the particular unique identifier to user television equipment in the continuous data stream only when the particular television program is currently being broadcasted; and an interactive television program guide implemented on the user television equipment configured to: monitor the continuous data stream for the presence of the particular unique identifier, wherein the presence of the particular unique identifier indicates when the particular television program is being currently broadcasted; perform a real-time action associated with the particular television program when the particular unique identifier is detected in the continuous data stream, wherein the real-time action comprises an action selected from the group consisting of authorizing the viewing of the particular television program, wherein the program is a pay-per-view program, and displaying a program reminder for the particular program; prefetch current program guide data from the continuous data stream when the real-time action is performed; and perform an action associated with at least one other television program belonging to the program grouping when the particular unique identifier is detected in the continuous data stream.