Interactive program guide system and method

Abstract

An interactive television program guide system and method is provided. Time separators are displayed within lists of program listings to allow users to more easily view the program listings. On-screen arrows have their display characteristics changed according to user actions. Similar program listings are displayed only once when using search program listings. Users are provided with an opportunity to view channel information before setting channels as favorites. Information from local information services is provided in program guide display screens that are configurable by a main facility. Users are provided with an opportunity to centrally lock and unlock programs, and to bypass locks when desired.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . An interactive television program guide system comprising: 
 a program guide data source for providing program guide data comprising program listings; and    an interactive television program guide implemented on interactive television program guide equipment having user television equipment, wherein the interactive television program guide is configured to: 
 provide a user with an opportunity to search for programs by title;  
 display on the user television equipment at least a portion of the program listings in a first display screen in response to the search for programs by title, wherein program listings for similar titles are represented only once in the first display screen; and  
 in response to the user selecting a program listing from the first display screen, display on the user television equipment a second display screen with a plurality of air times for a program corresponding to the selected program listing.  
   
   
   
       17 - 36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . A method for use in an interactive television program guide system comprising the steps of: 
 providing program guide data comprising program listings;    providing a user with an opportunity to search for programs by title;    displaying with an interactive television program guide implemented on interactive television program guide equipment having user television equipment on the user television equipment at least a portion of the program listings in a first display screen in response to the search for programs by title, wherein program listings for similar titles are represented only once in the first display screen; and    in response to the user selecting a program listing from the first display screen, displaying on the user television equipment a second display screen with a plurality of air times for a program corresponding to the selected program listing.    
   
   
       38 - 57 . (canceled)  
   
   
       58 . An interactive television program guide system comprising: 
 means for providing program guide data comprising program listings;    means for providing a user with an opportunity to search for programs by title;    means for displaying with an interactive television program guide implemented on interactive television program guide equipment having user television equipment on the user television equipment at least a portion of the program listings in a first display screen in response to a user searching for programs by title, wherein program listings for similar titles are represented only once in the first display screen; and    in response to the user selecting a program listing from the first display screen, means for displaying on the user television equipment a second display screen with a plurality of air times for a program corresponding to the selected program listing.    
   
   
       59 - 81 . (canceled)