Methods and systems are described for a media guidance application that manages media subscriptions between a user and a content provider. In particular, the media guidance application may automatically identify subscription terms that are beneficial for both a user and for a content provider.

During playback of a content item, a media signature corresponding to a first portion of the content item is identified. A number of media signatures representing portions of a plurality of other content items may have been previously identified and stored. Each stored media signature may also include an identifier of an associated content item and a timestamp corresponding to a position in the associated content item at which the signature is located. If it is determined that the identified media signature matches a stored media signature, a progress bar is generated for display comprising an identifier of the content item associated with the matching stored media signature, and a progress indicator corresponding to a timestamp associated with the stored media signature.

A satellite IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder) complies with DiSEqC protocol and is capable of receiving a program of a specific channel from a single cable interface device through a cable. The DiSEqC transmitter transmits a first command corresponding to the specific channel to the single cable interface device through the I/O interface and the cable. The DiSEqC receiver acquires a second command transmitted on the cable through the I/O interface in response to the DiSEqC transmitter transmitting the first command. The detecting circuit compares the second command with the first command to generate a comparison result. The DiSEqC receiver monitors the I/O interface in response to the comparison result indicating that the first command and the second command are different to determine whether there is a command other than the first command transmitted on the cable.

Items of video content offered for viewing on a video-on-demand (VOD) platform of a digital TV service provider are each assigned a respective title and hierarchical address corresponding to hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories within which the title for the video content is to be categorized. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. The EPG dynamically adjust its display listings of each level of categories, subcategories, and titles in order to minimize the number of remote control keypresses needed for a viewer to navigate to a title of interest. In one basic form, the EPG display is reordered by listing more frequently visited categories or subcategories first, and other less frequently visited categories or subcategories lower on the listing or out-of-sight on another page of the display.

Items of video content offered for viewing on a video-on-demand (VOD) platform of a digital TV service provider are each assigned a respective title and hierarchical address corresponding to hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories within which the title for the video content is to be categorized. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. The EPG dynamically adjust its display listings of each level of categories, subcategories, and titles in order to minimize the number of remote control keypresses needed for a viewer to navigate to a title of interest. In one basic form, the EPG display is reordered by listing more frequently visited categories or subcategories first, and other less frequently visited categories or subcategories lower on the listing or out-of-sight on another page of the display.

A remote control system and related method for controlling a video device are presented. The remote control system contains a plurality of buttons arranged in a grid pattern that correspond to user selectable options displayed on a display screen arranged in the same grid pattern. The user selects options on the screen by pressing the corresponding button on the remote control.

Systems and methods are provided herein for providing recommendations to a user. A short-media viewing profile may be maintained for the user. The short-media viewing profile may be based on user's behavior while watching short-length media content. A long-media viewing profile may be maintained for the user. The long-media viewing profile may be based on user's behavior while watching long-length media content. In response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing short-length media content, a recommendation is provided to the user based on the short-media viewing profile. In response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing long-length media content, a recommendation is provided to the user based on the long-media viewing profile.

A method includes receiving, by a computing device of a media service provider, a search request associated with a first product. The search request is received from a media device associated with a subscriber of a service provided by the media service provider. The method includes, in response to the search request, determining, by the computing device, a responsible party associated with the first product based on a purchase date of the first product and a return period for the first product. The method also includes sending, from the computing device to the media device, contact information of the responsible party. The contact information is to be displayed by the media device to a display device with an option to contact the responsible party.

Systems and methods are operable to notify a user of content availability. An exemplary embodiment receives a content availability notification request that specifies at least one content of interest, searches current electronic program guide (EPG) information to identify the content of interest, determines that the information identifying the specified content of interest is unavailable based upon the search of the current EPG information, generates a content availability reminder that is associated with the specified content of interest, monitors a content database to determine an availability of the specified content of interest identified in the content availability reminder, determines that the specified content of interest is available when the monitored content database indicates availability of the specified content of interest, and generates a content availability reminder notification that indicates at least a title of the specified content of interest.

Systems and methods are operable to notify a user of content availability. An exemplary embodiment receives a content availability notification request that specifies at least one content of interest, searches current electronic program guide (EPG) information to identify the content of interest, determines that the information identifying the specified content of interest is unavailable based upon the search of the current EPG information, generates a content availability reminder that is associated with the specified content of interest, monitors a content database to determine an availability of the specified content of interest identified in the content availability reminder, determines that the specified content of interest is available when the monitored content database indicates availability of the specified content of interest, and generates a content availability reminder notification that indicates at least a title of the specified content of interest.