公开(公告)号：EP1449373A4

公开(公告)日：2005-05-18

申请号：EP02768600

申请日：2002-08-16

申请人： TIME WARNER CABLE

发明人： BROOKS PAUL D

IPC分类号： H04N7/10 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/222 ,  H04N21/2385 ,  H04N21/24 ,  H04N21/426 ,  H04N21/438 ,  H04N21/658

CPC分类号： H04N21/2385 ,  H04N7/106 ,  H04N7/12 ,  H04N7/16 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N11/02 ,  H04N11/04 ,  H04N21/2221 ,  H04N21/2408 ,  H04N21/266 ,  H04N21/42684 ,  H04N21/4383 ,  H04N21/6405 ,  H04N21/6581

摘要： In a cable television system, a specific carrier is assigned to deliver programming content of a program channel to a service area for a period, defined as a function of viewership of the program channel during that period. For example, the program channel is assigned the specific carrier during the time when it has a generally strong viewership. Otherwise, the program channel is assigned a carrier on an as needed basis, i.e., only when one or more subscribers in the service area request such a program channel. Viewing statistics are generated to identify viewership patterns or viewing habits of the subscribers in the service area with respect to a given program channel. In another embodiment, based on the viewing statistics, popular and unpopular programs, program elements, program lineups, program channels are identified on a temporal and/or regional basis.