System, method and computer program product for determining a polling schedule for a remote control, are described. A multimedia device collects usage data that identifies when the multimedia device is in use. The probability that the multimedia device is in use for a particular time is determined based on the usage data. A polling schedule is generated based on the usage probability such that the periods in the polling schedule vary according to the usage probability to minimize energy consumption. The remote control then polls the multimedia device according to the polling schedule.