WO2002013521A1

WO2002013521A1 - System and method to sequence broadcast programs for personal channels

Info

Publication number: WO2002013521A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/041082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles Randall Broadus
Original assignee: Digeo, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-08-10
Filing date: 2001-06-20
Publication date: 2002-02-14
Also published as: AU2001273615A1

Abstract

A plurality of media objects can be arranged into a programming sequence by a user and then played in a synthetic television channel. The media objects can include television programs, video and audio clips, Internet content, etc. One or more of the media objects are recorded versions, while real-time broadcast of programs can be provided on the synthetic channel as well. The user can arrange the media objects in desired sequences, topics, scheduled playback time, etc. (304), and can further add the media objects into an electronic program guide (310, 312). The synthetic channel can then be tuned to or accessed to view/listen to the programming sequence of the plurality of media objects, as if the user was tuning in to a conventional television channel (314, 316).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD TO SEQUENCE BROADCAST PROGRAMS FOR PERSONAL CHANNELS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/224,736, filed August 10, 2000, entitled "USER INTERFACE TO TELEVISION BROADCASTS AND INTERNET CONTENT," which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the playback of media objects, and in particular but not exclusively, relates to playback of television and/or Internet content.

2. Background Information

A user of ordinary broadcast media, such as television content, radio, or the like, is typically limited to defined channels with fixed broadcast schedules. If the user wishes to watch or listen to programs on different channels at different times, the user has to change the channel on the television or radio at the correct times. In the alternative, the user could record the programs using, for example, an ordinary video cassette recorder (VCR) or the like. Afterwards, the user can use the VCR to watch each recorded program. Accordingly, in order to watch each recorded program, the user must manipulate the VCR, and therefore be knowledgeable of how to use and operate the VCR. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method allows determination of a plurality of media objects, and allows arrangement of the plurality of media objects into a programming sequence of the plurality of media objects. A television channel is accessed for playback of the programming sequence of the plurality of media objects without user interaction in a single session. Additional features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, figures and claims set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

Figure 1 shows an example of a system that can implement an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows an example of a block diagram of a client terminal box that can implement an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows an example process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a method and system to sequence broadcast programs for personal channels are described herein. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as the description of the system and various components, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As an overview, an embodiment of the invention provides a client terminal, such as set top box, that may be used with a television to enable a user to create a sequence of personalized programming on a personal or synthetic television channel. For example, the user can create a list of items to include in the sequence of personalized programming. The list may include various media objects such as television programs, radio programs, Internet content such as streaming video, audio, etc. The various media objects may be stored locally in the client terminal, stored remotely in, for example, a video- on-demand server or the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, items in the sequence of the personalized programming are not stored locally in the client terminal or in a remote server over the network, but are provided directly from, for example, a television network. In this case, the client terminal simply "tunes" to the appropriate channel at the correct time for access of the media object. In one embodiment, the order of the sequence in which the media objects are played back on the synthetic channel is different than the order in which the media objects were originally broadcasted or stored. In one embodiment, viewing and/or listening to the personalized programming sequence involves, for example, tuning a television to the synthetic channel. In one embodiment, the personalized programming sequence is accessed at a programmed time and viewing and/or listening to the personalized programming sequence involves tuning the television to the synthetic channel at the programmed start time. In one embodiment, the personalized programming sequence and the corresponding programmed start time are provided in television programming guide such as for example an electronic programming guide. Accordingly, a different user can be aware of what personalized content is available on the synthetic channel and when that personalized content can be accessed. Thus, knowledge of how to use, program and operate a VCR is not required to view the personalized programming sequence. All the other user needs to do is simply turn on the television and tune the television to the predetermined or synthetic channel at the programmed start time.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram depicting a system 100 for distributing television content and Internet content in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 can be integrated with a cable television distribution system. The system 100 includes an Internet 102, a plurality of content sources 104, a plurality of distribution centers (depicted as head-ends or H/E) 106, and a plurality of client terminals (depicted as set top boxes or STB) 108. In addition, a content source 104 is depicted as receiving data from remote data feeds 112, advertisement servers 114, image sources 116, streaming video sources 118, and video-on-demand servers 122 or other sources/servers. In one embodiment, caches and/or servers including, for example video-on-demand servers 122 or the like, can also be coupled to head-ends 106.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the plurality of content sources 104 is coupled to the Internet 102. For example, a content source 104 may comprise a web site portal such as Go2Net.com, or a news web site such as CNN.com, or other types of sources. Each content source 104 may have various data feeds 112, servers 114/122, and sources 116/118 coupled to it.

For example, news or stock quote feeds 112 may be fed into the content source 104. Servers 114 may provide advertisements for insertion into multimedia content delivered by the content source 104. Servers 122 may provide storage of content, such as stored television content or stored Internet content or the like, which may be later provided over communications channels or networks 120 or the Internet 102 on demand to distribution centers 106. Sources 116/118 may provide images 116, streaming video 118, and other content to the content source 104. Various other feeds, servers and sources may also be coupled to the content source 104.

The Internet 102 comprises a network of networks and is well known in the art. Communications over the Internet 102 are accomplished using standard protocols such as transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), file transfer protocol (FTP), or other protocols. The Internet 102 is coupled to the plurality of distribution centers 106 (which may comprise a cable head-end), and each distribution center 106 is in turn coupled to a plurality of client terminals 108. As examples, the client terminal 108 may comprise a set top box (STB), a personal computer, an interactive television set, a conventional television set, an audio device, a wireless device (such as a cellular telephone), or another type of communication device.

It is noted that the Internet is chosen as an example of a data communications network because it is a well-established network, and connectivity to the Internet is easily made. However, it is noted that a global communications network, such as the Internet, is not required to practice other embodiments of the invention. A locally provided and maintained communications network may be used in an embodiment. In alternative or in addition to the Internet 102 being used to distribute multimedia content from the content sources 104 to distribution centers 106, communications channels or networks 120 apart from the Internet 102 may couple one or more content sources 104 to one or more distribution centers 106. One example of such an alternate path for communications is illustrated by the first dashed line 120 in Fig. 1. Other configurations are also possible and meant to be included within the scope of the present invention, such as a peering connection between distribution centers 106 illustrated by a second dashed line 124 in Fig. 1.

The video-on-demand servers 122 coupled to the distribution centers 106 may include (or be coupled to) caches. Such caches may be used to increase the performance in the delivery of multimedia content to the client terminals 108. For example, larger files for video and other high bandwidth content may be stored in such caches, which may be closer to the client terminals 108 than to the content sources 104. In addition, reliability and guaranteed bandwidth may be provided because the Internet 102 is not in- between such caches and the client terminals 108.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a client terminal 108 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, client terminal 108 may be referred to as a set top box (STB) and can include a user interface 257 including for example a hardwired, a wireless infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) transceiver or the like, that can exchange signals 214 with a remote control unit or other user input device. The client terminal 108 can be a component that is separate from a television set, or its features can be built into circuitry of the television set {e.g., an interactive television set). The client terminal 108 enables a viewer to select a television program to view and then delivers the television program to a television set.

A storage medium 204 can also be coupled to or be a part of the client terminal 108. The storage medium 204 can comprise a machine- readable storage medium such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), buffers, caches, memory, diskette, compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), tape, or the like and their associated hardware, in one embodiment. In another embodiment the storage medium 204 can include a video cassette recorder (VCR). In another embodiment, the storage medium 204 can include a hard disk and provide a digital or personal video recorder (DVR or PVR) capability to the client terminal 108.

As shown in the example depicted in Fig. 2, an embodiment of the client terminal 108 also includes a processor 202 to read and execute software, machine-readable instructions, code, or other information stored in a machine-readable medium (such as the storage medium 204), with such software capable to control operations of components of (or components coupled to) the client terminal 108. In one embodiment, the information stored by the storage medium 204 can include software to operate the client terminal 108, network communication software, cached/buffered Internet content (such as uniform resource locators (URLs), web pages, applets, etc.), user input information exchanged with remote controls, etc.

An embodiment of the client terminal 108 further includes a network interface 206, such as for example a digital cable modem or modem interface, a digital subscriber line (xDSL) interface, a satellite dish interface, an antenna to receive high definition television (HD television) broadcasts, or other suitable interface to communicate with the distribution center 106. In one embodiment, the use of an antenna or the like enables the network interface 206 to receive terrestrial broadcasts when communicating with a distribution center 106. The network interface 206 enables communications with the sources 104 and/or the Internet 102 to receive, for example, television content and Internet content. In one embodiment, the network interface 206 may include a back channel interface including, for example, a modem or the like to communicate with a communications network such as the Internet 102. A television set interface 208 provides a communication interface with a television set, a plurality of television sets, or other output devices, such as home stereo or home theater equipment or other suitable audio and/or video output equipment. Miscellaneous components 210 of the client terminal 108 can include various controls (e.g., television set volume, picture, color controls, etc.), hardware, and software related to operation of the client terminal 108, which for the sake of simplicity are not described further herein because they would be familiar to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Components of the client terminal 108 are coupled to each other via one or more buses 212.

As mentioned, one embodiment of the present invention relates to personalized or "synthetic" broadcast channels. The user can establish a synthetic channel by indicating to the client terminal 108 the content that the user wishes to view or listen to on that synthetic channel. The content that may be played back for the user on the synthetic channel may be any general type of media object including television content, Internet content, radio content, or the like. For example, media objects in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include, but not be limited to, television shows, movies, radio programs, music or videos stored locally on a tape, compact disk (CD), VCR, digital versatile disk (DVD), hard disk, or content received over a network including, web pages, videos, audio, images, etc.

To illustrate an embodiment of a synthetic channel, the client terminal 108 can tune itself, or be tuned by the user, to receive requested television programs over the network interface 206 at correct times and automatically play such programs for the user over the television set interface 208. The benefit to the user is that, during a single viewing session, no user interaction is required as any necessary channel changing is automated. One embodiment of the present invention is useful where a series of programs that are of interest to a user are broadcast sequentially (such as prime time television) but may be on different channels or networks, for example. In this case, the user does not have to pick up the television remote control, or get up and walk over to the television to change the channel, as the client terminal 108 can automatically tune to and play the programs.

In another embodiment, a viewer may view a series of programs that are not ordered sequentially because there may be gaps between desirable programs, or some desired programs overlap in time. In such an embodiment, the client terminal 108 provides the ability to record programs. Recorded programs may be stored internally on storage medium 204, for example, or stored remotely through network storage on video-on-demand servers 122, for example.

In one embodiment, the client terminal 108 can be programmed by a user through, for example the user interface 257, to create a synthetic channel by tuning into each program through the network interface 206 when the desired program is broadcast, possibly recording one or more of the programs, and playing the programs sequentially. Some or all programs may be played from a recorded version, while other programs may be played at their broadcast time. In one embodiment, the user is able to watch the desired programs sequentially by tuning to the personalized synthetic channel, as though such programs were being presented by a single traditional channel. In one embodiment, the client terminal 108 can be programmed to record multiple programs simultaneously, thereby enabling programs having portions of which that are broadcasted concurrently to be played back in their entirety on the synthetic channel.

In another embodiment of the present invention, multiple synthetic channels are provided. For instance, in the case of a household with several family members, each family member may choose to create an independent synthetic channel, made up of the programs they wish to view or listen to. As such it is possible to create many types of synthetic channels based on a number of characteristics, including but not limited to, synthetic channels based on program theme, synthetic channels identified to a particular family member, synthetic channels based on media type {e.g., audio-only, video, etc.), or other characteristics.

In one embodiment, the client terminal 108 is coupled to multiple output devices such as television sets. The multiple television sets may be directly coupled to the television set interface 208 directly or through a network connection coupled to the television set interface 208. Accordingly, different family members may view different channels from the client terminal 108 simultaneously, for example. Where more than one channel includes the same program, one embodiment of the client terminal 108 takes advantage of the redundancy by recording the content once, and uses the same recorded version in each synthetic channel.

In an embodiment, a synthetic channel may be programmed in several manners. One manner includes determining a list of content to include in the synthetic channel by choosing the programs from a program guide, such as for example a typical television listing grid, an electronic program guide, or the like for inclusion into a synthetic channel. In one embodiment, the user can determine the start time at which the selected programs are played back, as well as the order in which the programs are played back on the synthetic channel. In one embodiment, the user can determine the start time for each program on the synthetic channel. After the user programs the synthetic channel, the synthetic channel can be accessed at the programmed start times for the viewing or listening of all of the programming sequence without any user interaction.

In another embodiment, the synthetic channel may be programmed by a network operator in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. To illustrate, assume for example a network operator wishes to create a synthetic action/adventure channel or a synthetic news channel. In this example, the network operator determines a list of media objects or content to include in the synthetic channel using for example a typical television listing grid, an electronic program guide, or the like. The network operator then arranges into a programming sequence the selected media objects. In one embodiment, the network operator then selects a start time for the programming sequence. In another embodiment, the network operator selects a start time for each media object included in the programming sequence. In one embodiment, a programming guide such as an electronic programming guide is then updated to include the programming sequence and start time on the synthetic channel. In another embodiment, the programming guide is updated to include each media object of the programming sequence including the corresponding start times. Accordingly, when a user tunes his or her television to the synthetic channel at the start time, the media objects are viewed or listened to in the programming sequence without any further user interaction. In one embodiment, media objects that are recorded may be stored for example on remote servers such as for example the video-on-demand servers 122.

To illustrate operation of one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is flow diagram illustrating a process 300 that can be used to allow a user to create a personalized programming sequence for playback on a synthetic channel. Some or all of the components of the process 300 may be implemented in or by machine-readable instructions stored on a machine- readable storage medium. In one embodiment, the process 300 may be performed locally by the user {e.g., client-side operation and local storage of media objects, such as at the client terminal 108). In another embodiment, at least some of the operations and storage can occur at a server, such as at the video-on-demand server 122, or at other suitable locations in the system 100.

As shown in a block 302, the user selects the media objects to include in the programming sequence. The media objects can be television programs, radio programs, movies, sports broadcasts, music, web pages, videos, images, graphics, audio files, streaming content from the Internet, or any other media object or content that can be accessed by the client terminal 108 or provided to the client terminal 108. Selection of the media objects at the block 302 can involve recording/downloading/streaming of the media objects and/or can involve specifying which objects are to be recorded/downloaded/streamed.

After the media objects are selected, a block 304 shows that the selected media objects are then arranged by the user into an order or sequence in which they will be viewed, listened to, or played back over the synthetic channel. As described above, there are many possible ways to arrange the media objects. They can be arranged based on topic/theme, length of play time, potential viewers, desired viewing time, preferred sequence, or other ways based on the particular tastes or requirements of the user. In one embodiment, the order in which the media objects are played back over the synthetic channel need not be dependent on the order in which the media objects are available to the client terminal 108 if the media objects are recorded.

A block 306 shows that the start time of the programming sequence can then be selected. In the alternative, a block 308 shows that the start time of each media object in the programming sequence can then be selected. A difference between the block 306 and the block 308 is that in the block 306, only the start time of the programming sequence is selected. In the block 308, a start time for each media object is selected. Thus, if the programming sequence includes eight media objects (such as for example three television programs, two radio programs, two web casts and one streaming video), then eight start times are selected in the block 308.

In one embodiment, a block 310 shows that the programming sequence and start time is added to a program guide such as, for example, a television programming guide. For instance, if an electronic programming guide is available from and stored in the client terminal 108, then an entry for the programming sequence at the selected start time is added for the synthetic channel in the electronic programming guide. A block 312 shows that in the situation of a separate start time being selected for each media object in the programming sequence, entries for each media object and corresponding start times are added for the synthetic channel in the electronic programming guide. It is noted that in one embodiment, the electronic program guide may be available from or stored in a server, such as in the video-on-demand server 122, or in other suitable locations in the system 100, instead of or in addition to the client terminal 108.

In one embodiment, a block 314 shows that the synthetic channel can then be accessed from the client terminal 108 at the selected start time to view or listen to the programming sequence. Block 316 shows that in the situation of a separate start time being selected for each media object in the programming sequence, the synthetic channel can be accessed from the client terminal 108 at the selected start times to view or listen to the playback of the corresponding media objects.

Accordingly, if a media object is recorded locally in the client terminal 108 or remotely in a server, it is played back at the selected time on the synthetic channel. If the selected start time is the same ordinary start time of the broadcast of the media object, then the client terminal 108 can automatically tune to the appropriate channel or access the appropriate web site, etc., so that the user can view or listen to the program on the synthetic channel without having to manually tune the television set. If a plurality of media objects were originally broadcast at the same time on different channels, the client terminal 108 can record each media object on separate channels, and then play each media object back later one at a time in the selected order at selected start times on the synthetic channel.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while an embodiment has been described herein as using a television set to display television programs in the synthetic channel, an embodiment of the invention can include or be based on audio systems. That is, programs can be recorded from a radio network and then played in a synthetic channel for an audio system having a stereo, radio, television, personal computer (PC), etc. as the client terminal. In an embodiment, audiovisual television network programs may be played in audio form for a synthetic channel for an audio system.

These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising: allowing determination of a plurality of media objects; allowing arrangement of the plurality of media objects into a first programming sequence of the plurality of media objects; and accessing a first predetermined television channel for a playback of the first programming sequence of the plurality of media objects without user interaction in a single session.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing determination of a start time of the first programming sequence, wherein the first programming sequence is accessible on the first predetermined television channel at the start time for the playback of the first programming sequence.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first programming sequence and the start time of the first programming sequence are included in a television programming guide.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing determination of respective start times for each one of the plurality of media objects of the first programming sequence, wherein each one of the plurality of media objects of the first programming sequence is accessible on the first predetermined television channel at the respective start times for the playback of the first programming sequence.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the plurality of media objects and the respective start times of the first programming sequence are included in a television programming guide.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising recording a portion of the plurality of media objects.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein a first portion of the first programming sequence comprises said recorded portion of the plurality of media objects, wherein a second portion of the first programming sequence comprises a normal television broadcast of a portion of the plurality of media objects.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the recorded portion of the plurality of media objects comprises a first media object and a second media object, wherein the first media object is recorded during a first television broadcast time slot and the second media object is recorded during a second television broadcast time slot, wherein at least a portion of the first television broadcast time slot overlaps with at least a portion of the second television broadcast time slot.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein playback of the first and second media objects in the first programming sequence is in a different order than a relative order in which the first and second media objects were broadcast.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising creating a second predetermined television channel to provide playback of a second programming sequence.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the second programming sequence is shared with at least a portion of the first programming sequence.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the media objects comprise television content.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the media objects comprise radio content.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the media objects comprise Internet content.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the media objects comprise an audio file.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the media objects comprise a video file.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the media objects comprise an image file.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said allowing arrangement of the plurality of media objects into the first programming sequence of the plurality of media objects is performed by a network operator.

19. An apparatus, comprising: a network interface coupled to receive a plurality of media objects including television content; a storage medium coupled to the network interface to store at least a portion of the plurality of media objects; a processor coupled to the storage medium to arrange the plurality of media objects into a programming sequence; and a television interface coupled to the storage medium to allow playback of the programming sequence of the plurality of media objects over a predetermined channel through the television interface.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the playback of programming sequence is programmable by the processor to occur at a start time on the predetermined channel.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the programmed start time of the programming sequence and the predetermined channel are included in a television programming guide.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein playback of each one of the plurality of media objects of the programming sequence is programmable by the processor to occur at respective start times on the predetermined channel.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the programmed respective start times of each one of the plurality of media objects of the programming sequence and the predetermined channel are included in a television programming guide.

24. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein a playback order of the plurality of media objects in the programming sequence over the predetermined channel through the television interface is different than a relative order in which the plurality of media objects are received through the network interface.

25. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the media objects include content available from an Internet.

26. A system, comprising: a communication system coupleable to a communication network and to a television network to receive network content and television content, the network content and the television content capable of being included among a plurality of media objects; a remote server coupleable to the communication system to receive the plurality of media objects including the network content or the television content; and a client terminal coupleable to the communications system, the client terminal having: a network interface coupleable to the communication system to receive the plurality of media objects from the remote server; a processor coupled to arrange into a programming sequence the plurality of media objects; and a television interface coupled to the network interface to allow playback of the programming sequence of the plurality of media objects without user interaction in a single session over a predetermined channel through the television interface.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the remote server comprises a video-on-demand server.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein the communication network comprises an Internet and wherein the network content comprises Internet content.

29. The system of claim 26 wherein the playback of programming sequence is programmed by the processor to occur at a start time on the predetermined

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the programmed start time of the programming sequence and the predetermined channel are included in a television programming guide.

31. The system of claim 26 wherein a playback order of the plurality of media objects in the programming sequence over the predetermined channel through the television interface is different than a relative order in which the plurality of media objects are provided from the television network.

32. A system, comprising: a communication system coupled to a communication network and to a television network to receive network content and television content, the network content and the television content included among a plurality of media objects; a client terminal coupleable to the communication system, the client terminal having: a network interface coupled to the communications network to receive the plurality of media objects; a storage medium coupled to the network interface to store at least a portion of the plurality of media objects; a processor coupled to the storage medium to arrange into a programming sequence the plurality of media objects; and a television interface coupled to the network interface for a playback the programming sequence of the plurality of media objects without user interaction in a single session over a predetermined channel through the television interface.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the communication network comprises an Internet and wherein the network content comprises Internet content.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the playback of programming sequence is programmed by the processor to occur at a start time on the predetermined channel.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the programmed start time of the programming sequence and the predetermined channel are included in a television programming guide.

36. The system of claim 32 wherein a playback order of the plurality of media objects in the programming sequence over the predetermined channel through the television interface is different than a relative order in which the plurality of media objects are received through the network interface.

37. An article of manufacture, comprising: a machine-readable medium having machine-readable instructions stored thereon to: determine a plurality of media objects; arrange the plurality of media objects into a programming sequence of the plurality of media objects; playback the first programming sequence of the plurality of media objects over a predetermined television channel.

38. The article of manufacture of claim 37 wherein the machine-readable medium further comprises machine-readable instructions stored thereon to determine a start time of the playback of first programming sequence of the plurality of media objects over the predetermined television channel.

39. The article of manufacture of claim 38 wherein the machine-readable medium further comprises machine-readable instructions stored thereon to include the start time of the playback of first programming sequence and the first programming sequence in a television programming guide.

40. A system, comprising: a communication system coupleable to a communication network and to a television network to receive network content and television content, the network content and the television content capable of being included among a plurality of media objects; a remote server coupleable to the communication system to receive the plurality of media objects arranged into a programming sequence; and a client terminal coupleable to the communications system to receive the programming sequence on a predetermined channel from the remote server.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the client terminal is coupleable to the communications system to receive the programming sequence on the predetermined channel from the remote server at a selected start time.