Media content delivery selection

Abstract

A device, such as for example and without limitation, a set-top box, is programmed to receive metadata relating to available media content. At least one item of media content is identified as selected to be provided to a display upon activation of the display. The at least one item of selected media content is provided to the display upon activation of the display.

1 . A computing device that includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that the computing device is programmed to:
 receive metadata relating to available media content;   identify at least one item of media content as selected to be provided to a display upon activation in response to user input, of an application running in a background status on the computing device wherein activation of the application includes bringing the application from the background status to a foreground status; and   in response to activation of the application, provide the at least one item of selected media content to the display.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further programmed to identify the at least one item of selected item of media content according to a programming channel via which the media content is available. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further programmed to identify the at least one item of media content as selected at least in part according to an identifier for a programming channel stored in a memory of the media device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further programmed to identify the at least one item of media content as selected at least in part according to an expiration date associated with the at least one item of media content. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one item of selected media content is a plurality of selected items of media content, the device being further programmed to choose at most one of the selected items to provide to the display. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further programmed to provide the at least one item of media content to the display only if the media content passes one or more programming parameters. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the programming parameters include parental controls. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the media content includes video content. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a set-top box. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 receiving, by a computing device, metadata relating to available media content;   identifying at least one item of media content as selected to be provided to a display upon activation in response to user input to the computing device, of an application running in a background status on the computing device wherein activation of the application includes bringing the application from the background status to a foreground status; and   in response to activation of the application, providing the at least one item of selected media content to the display.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising identifying the at least one item of selected item of media content according to a programming channel via which the media content is available. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising identifying the at least one item of media content as selected at least in part according to an identifier for a programming channel stored in a memory of the media device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising identifying the at least one item of media content as selected at least in part according to an expiration date associated with the at least one item of media content. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one item of selected media content is a plurality of selected items of media content, the method further comprising choosing at most one of the selected items to provide to the display. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing the at least one item of media content to the display only if the media content passes one or more programming parameters. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the programming parameters include parental controls. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the media content includes video content. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , executed according to program instructions stored in the memory of a set-top box. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)