2.2 Electronic Program Guide Scenarios

Today, millions of viewers use their EPG for around 10 to 15 minutes per day, exposing them to more than 10,000 impressions per year. As audiences fragment across a flood of new digital channels, EPGs are well on their way to become the last stand of mass-media marketing.

EPGs are usually controlled and prepared by a listing service provider that controls a dedicated EPG virtual channel. Typically, the list of available programs includes only those channels affiliated with the owner of the EPG channel.

While there are a wide range of expectations from EPGs, some minimum functionality is expected. An EPG should enable at least a search grid display and detailed information display (see Figure 2.6). The search mode lists the various time slots and places in each slot a few words describing the type of program scheduled for that slot. On selection of this time slot, the viewer is presented with a detailed view of the specific program scheduled for this slot.

Figure 2.6. An example EPG courtesy of Microsoft TV [MSTV].

2.2.1 Browsing and Search

With the availability of hundreds of channels and thousands of programs, a search tool becomes the only viable method for selecting content. Search screens could be presented as menus overlaid on top of a customizable video background such as pastoral nature scenery (see Figure 2.8). Search can also be performed by typing key words (see Figure 2.7 left) or by browsing (see Figure 2.9 right). The two search methods can be combined utilizing the key-word search for an initial selection, and following up with a browser presenting only options similar to the initial selection.

Figure 2.8. An example of overlaid menus and EPG display courtesy of TVC Multimedia [TVC].

Figure 2.7. An example search feature courtesy of Microsoft TV [MSTV].

Figure 2.9. An example menu-driven program browsing tool.

2.2.2 Miniguides

Miniguides are yet another powerful search tool. They minimize disruption to the viewing of the current program while providing the search functionality. Typically, a miniguide appears on the bottom third of the screen (see Figure 2.10). During the display of the miniguide, the arrow keys on the remote affect the guide selection and the channel up, down, and volume keys affect the video displayed.