Systems and methods for interaction of satellite and Internet protocol features in content delivery systems are presented. Using such systems and methods, the delivery of some content to the same product by Satellite delivery, other content by IP delivery, and still other content by both Satellite and IP delivery can enhance the utility of both the content and the product for an end user and can further optimize the costs and quality of service associated with delivering the content. A method of providing content and data to a combined satellite and IP network receiver is presented, including broadcasting via satellite content and data to the receiver, and sending via an IP based communications network content and data to the receiver, where the content and data provided over the Satellite broadcast enables capabilities of the receiver needed to consume content received by IP delivery, and the content and data provided via IP delivery enables capabilities of the receiver needed to consume content received from the satellite broadcast.

Multimedia content segment identified by users may be shared among media devices and media device users. Media content segment metadata is generated based on one or more identified media content item segments identified in one or more media content items. The media content segment metadata may include, but is not limited to, information indicating segment start and stop times, information about the particular media content item (e.g., title, actors, original air date), and other user-provided descriptive information. A link for the media content segment metadata may be posted for display on a webpage and which enables other users to access the media content segment metadata.

In accordance with some implementations, a method for measuring viewership of media content is disclosed. The method is performed on a client system. The client system obtains identification information for individuals who have agreed to participate in a media viewership totals measurement study, detects a first user of the client system, determines media content being presented in proximity to the first user, automatically determines if the first user is an individual who has agreed to participate in the media viewership totals measurement study; and generates viewership data according to the determination.

Systems and methods are described herein for generating a timeline of media assets on a media guidance application that dynamically adjusts the timeline of related media assets associated with the media asset selected by a user, by comparing keywords. In another embodiment, the systems and methods are described for masking portions of headline of the media asset for increasing interests in selecting the media asset.

Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. In an example process, a virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television display. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. The speech input can comprise a query associated with content shown on the television display. A user intent of the query can be determined based on one or more of the content shown on the television display and a viewing history of media content. A result of the query can be caused to be displayed based on the determined user intent.

An electronic device comprising a display; a memory to store recommended content information and a processor which: controls a communication interface to communicate with an external device that receives content from a plurality of content providers and provides the content to the electronic device; when a user command to display a UI screen including information on the external device is input, obtains recommended content information related to the plurality of content providers connected to the external device on the basis of information stored in the memory; and controls the display to display a UI screen to which the external device and the obtained recommended content information are mapped, where the information stored in the memory is obtained on the basis of viewing history information corresponding to the external device.

Methods and systems for calculating, storing, and allowing electronic searches for metadata associated with media titles. The metadata includes scores specific to each actor and each genre of a media title, where the scores indicate the degree to which an actor's performance in that title corresponds to a particular genre. Electronic searches for particular actors' performance in a specific genre thus return more accurate results that more correctly reflect how well the actors' performances reflect that genre.

Systems and associated methods are described for providing content recommendations. The system selects a first plurality of subsets of content categories, each subset of content categories comprising a first number of content categories. The subsets are assigned reward scores based on content popularity and duplication. The subset are then iteratively modified to increase the rewards scores. If the reward scores are still low, the process is repeated by selecting a second plurality of subsets of content categories, each subset of content categories comprising a second number of content categories, different from first number.

Network content delivery apparatus and methods based on content compiled from various sources and particularly selected for a given user. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the content sources include DVR, broadcast, nPVR, and VOD. The user-targeted content is assembled into a playlist, and displayed as a continuous stream on a virtual channel particular to that user. User interfaces accessible through the virtual channel present various functional options, including the selection or exploration of content having similarity or prescribed relationships to other content, and the ability to order purchasable content. An improved electronic program guide is also disclosed which allows a user to start over, record, view, receive information on, “catch up”, and rate content. Apparatus for remote access and configuration of the playlist and virtual channel functions, as well as a business rules “engine” implementing operational or business goals, are also disclosed.

Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for integrating a broadcast media stream with media streams from one or more amateur sources. In one implementation, a method includes receiving, at a stream integrator, one or more user media streams captured by one or more user capture devices, receiving a broadcast stream from a broadcast provider, selecting at least one of the one or more user media streams based on one or more parameters, and integrating one or more of the selected user media streams into the broadcast stream.