Providing television program listings over the Internet; listing web page accepts e-mail address

摘要

Television program listings for several TV channels are made available to consumers via the Internet. The consumer is presented with a list of channel listings from which the desired channel is selected. The initial listing page asks the consumer to enter his or her e-mail address before proceeding. Also disclosed, but not claimed, is a "direct tune option". If a program selected by the consumer is currently being broadcast, the consumer can direct a TV tuner attached to his or her computer to tune in the selected program so that it can be viewed immediately. Alternatively, the computer can be connected to a TV set, which can be directed to tune in the selected program. In another embodiment, an Internet capable set-top box can be used to display the program listings on a TV set.