SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING NEWS, SPORTS, AND LOCAL GUIDE SERVICES THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE

摘要

A system and method for providing additional services besides TV programschedule information through an EPG.Such services include up-to-date information relating to news, sports andlocal events and businesses. The EPG screen includesa PIP window (172) and panel advertisement windows (174, 176). A list of menubuttons (180) including sports button (180C),news button (180B) and hometown button (180D) displayed on the EPG screenallows access to additional services. Sporting eventinformation about a past, present or future sporting event is displayed uponactuation of the sports button (180C). News headlines(182) are displayed upon actuation of the news button (180B). Informationabout local events, businesses, services and products aredisplayed upon actuation of the hometown button (180D). The TV system's tuner(105) automatically tunes and displays a programbroadcast by a service provider on the PIP window (172) upon actuation of thesports and news buttons. Links are provided Internetwebsites, TV programs and to other services provided through the EPG. A linkto a presently televised program causes the tuner(105) to receive a channel televising the program.