Channel searching by content type

Abstract

Systems and method for receiving user channel search criteria, searching for channels based on representative content information, and presenting the channel results to the user. The interactive media guidance application prompts the user to enter channel search criteria by selecting categories or inputting keywords. The interactive media guidance application gathers information about channels in the form of channel attribute data. The channel attributed data identifies attributes of the typical programs provided by the channel over time. The application compares the channel attribute data for each channel with the user-entered channel search criteria. Matches or lack thereof are then displayed to the user by the interactive media guidance application.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for generating attribute data for a content communications path using an interactive media guidance application, the method comprising:
 identifying a plurality of media assets that have been previously transmitted over the content communications path;   retrieving, from a guidance application database, information about characteristics of the identified media assets;   generating, according to a predefined ranking criterion, attribute data for the content communications path based on the retrieved information; and   associating the attribute data with the content communications path.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of media assets has been previously transmitted over the content communication path during a specified period of time. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising retrieving the predefined ranking criterion from the guidance application database. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein generating attribute data for the content communications path comprises:
 ranking the retrieved information according to the predefined ranking criterion; and   generating the attribute data for the content communications path based on highly ranked information.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the predefined ranking criterion includes frequency. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the predefined ranking criterion includes level of specificity. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising storing the generated attribute data in the guidance application database. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising
 receiving user assigned attribute data associated with the content communications path; and   storing the user assigned attribute data in the guidance application database.   
     
     
         25 . A system for generating attribute data for a content communications path using an interactive media guidance application, the system comprising:
 a storage device;   control circuitry configured to:
 identify a plurality of media assets that have been previously transmitted over the content communications path; 
 retrieve, from a guidance application database stored on the storage device, information about characteristics of the identified media assets; 
 generate, according to a predefined ranking criterion, attribute data for the content communications path based on the retrieved information; and 
 associate the attribute data with the content communications path. 
   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of media assets has been previously transmitted over the content communication path during a specified period of time. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to retrieve the predefined ranking criterion from the guidance application database stored on the storage device. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 rank the retrieved information according to the predefined ranking criterion; and   generate the attribute data for the content communications path based on highly ranked information.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the predefined ranking criterion includes frequency. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the predefined ranking criterion includes level of specificity. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 store the generated attribute data in the guidance application database stored on the storage device.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising a user input device, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive user assigned attribute data associated with the content communications path using the user input device; and   store the user assigned attribute data in the guidance application database stored on the storage device.