Patent ID: 8474003

Claim:
A set-top box device, comprising: a memory to store computer instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor, responsive to executing the computer instructions, performs operations comprising: receiving at a user input of the set-top box a request to save a media program prior to a scheduled broadcast time; responsive to receiving the request to save the media program, transmitting to a network media server a request to record the media program; receiving at the user input of the set-top box a request to view a recorded version of the media program after the scheduled broadcast time; responsive to receiving the request to view the recorded version of the media program after the scheduled broadcast time, transmitting to the network media server a request to rebroadcast the recorded version of the media program; and receiving at the set-top box the recorded version of the media program rebroadcast from the network media server, wherein the recorded version of the media program is received according to an archival policy at the network media server and wherein the archival policy comprises: storing the recorded version of the media program for a first period of time, wherein the first period of time is based at least in part on a plurality of requests from a plurality of set-top boxes to save the media program; and deleting the recorded version of the media program after a second period of time, wherein the second period of time is adjustable by a delay period (T) based on a total number (N) of the plurality of requests from the plurality of set-top boxes, wherein T=C*log (N), wherein C is a constant that is determined based on feedback of subscribers to the network media server and based on an amount of storage available to the network media server, and wherein N is greater than zero.