Personal media channel apparatus and methods

For use in a content based network, an apparatus for delivery of targeted content, comprising:

• a processor, said processor adapted to run at least one software process thereon, said software process adapted to:
• receive information related to a plurality of available content;
• compare said information relating to a plurality of available content to a standard;
• select individual ones of said plurality of available content for provision to a user based at least in part on said act of comparing;
• and
• deliver said selected content to said user;
• a network interface in data communication with said processor;
• and
• a storage device in data communication with said processor.

In a content-based network comprising a plurality of content sources, a method of generating a subset of content elements having features consistent with a set of criteria, the method comprising:

• retrieving metadata regarding content elements from a content source associated therewith;
• determining similarity of said content metadata to said set of criteria,
• placing content elements having a threshold level of similarity in a list, said list arranged by similarity level;
• displaying at least one of said content elements in said list;
• interpreting a user action;
• updating said set of criteria to reflect said user action;
• and
• determining similarity of said content metadata to said updated set of criteria.

A method of doing business in a content-based network comprising:

• receiving an ensemble of content elements from a plurality of content sources;
• generating a navigable electronic program guide of said ensemble of content elements;
• comparing at least portions of said ensemble of content elements to a prescribed set of criteria;
• storing information regarding individual ones of said ensemble of content elements;
• and
• providing results of said comparison to a user.

For use in a content-based network, a premises device adapted to generate an electronic program guide comprising a plurality of available content, said device comprising:

• apparatus for generating a navigable schedule of said available content;
• apparatus for navigating said navigable schedule of available content;
• apparatus for displaying a representative icon for each available content in said schedule;
• and
• apparatus for displaying as a background a programs stream over which said electronic program guide is displayed;
• wherein said schedule of available content comprises at least content broadcast within a predetermined period of time, said predetermined period of time including fiture, present, and past broadcasts.

Computer readable apparatus comprising media adapted to contain a computer program having a plurality of instructions, said plurality of instructions which, when executed:

• request a plurality of available content from a plurality of content sources;
• generate a navigable schedule of content;
• link each content item in said schedule of content a plurality of information regarding said content;
• link each content item in said schedule of content to a plurality of tools operable by a user via a user interface;
• and
• display said navigable schedule of content on top of a currently displayed program stream, said display comprising a user interface.

40 The computer readable apparatus of claim 39, wherein said computer program is further adapted to:

• display a personal timeline, said timeline comprising a plurality of date and time place holders;
• enable said user to select content from said navigable schedule of content for placement into said various date and time place holders;
• and
• display content from said personal timeline at the date and time given by said placeholders.