Importance

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Abstract

A method and system for providing access to a plurality of video programs of a video library in accordance with viewer preferences. Members of the Home Video Club of the invention may phone in or write in their video program choices and the received viewer choices are tabulated in accordance with a selection priority scheme at the transmission side so that the most popular video programs as determined by the voter choices may be broadcast more regularly for the viewer's convenience. For this purpose, a 'prime time' viewing period is defined in accordance with the viewer preferences so that the more popular video programs can be shown more frequently to meet viewer demand. The selected video programs are broadcast over rented or dedicated cable television channels for reception by the viewer. The received video programs may then be recorded and time-shifted so that the viewers may view the video programs at their leisure. The technique of this invention is particularly advantageous in that the broadcast system is directly responsive to the viewer preferences and is dynamically programmable in accordance with those preferences so that differing numbers of regular and prime time programs may be viewed in a given time period. Revenue may be raised by charging for the viewer's calls and by the subscription fee for joining the Home Video Club.

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First Claim