Multiple interactive electronic program guide system and methods

A method for displaying a plurality of interactive electronic program guides (IPGs) in a guide format comprising the steps of:

• receiving television programming data including IPG data by an electronic device;
• extracting IPG data for the plurality of IPGs from the television programming data by the electronic device;
• storing in a memory data specific to each of the plurality of IPGs;
• storing in the memory data common to the plurality of IPGs;
• processing the data for the plurality of IPGs by the electronic device;
• and
• displaying the plurality of IPGs on a plurality of displays respectively.

A television set-top box for generating a plurality of interactive electronic program guides (IPGs) each including television channel identifications, program titles, and starting times, comprising:

• an IPG data extractor for receiving telecast data and extracting IPG data from the telecast data for the plurality of IPGs;
• a first database for storing information specific to each of the plurality of IPGs;
• a second database for storing information common to the plurality of IPGs;
• a memory for storing the first database and the second database;
• a single microprocessor coupled to the memory for processing the information for the plurality of IPGs;
• and
• a plurality of tuners coupled to the microprocessor for receiving the telecast data and tuning to a plurality of television channels respectively.

A system for managing a plurality of interactive electronic program guides (IPGs) each including television channel identifications, program titles, and starting times, comprising:

• an IPG data extractor for receiving telecast data and extracting IPG data from the telecast data for the plurality of IPGs;
• a first database for storing information specific to each of the plurality of IPGs;
• a second database for storing information common to the plurality of IPGs;
• a memory means for storing the first database and the second database;
• a microprocessor means coupled to the memory means for processing the information for the plurality of IPGs, wherein the IPG data extractor, the first database, the second database, the memory, and the microprocessor reside in a single electronic device;
• a plurality of tuners coupled to the microprocessor for receiving the telecast data and tuning to a plurality of television channels respectively;
• and
• an on-screen scheduled events list shared by the plurality of IPGs including an aggregate list for at least one of individual recordings, future PPV purchases, or scheduled tunes.