Carousel bit mask system and method

An apparatus for selectively storing an electronic program guide object in a satellite television system comprising:

• a satellite signal receiver for receiving the electronic program guide object from one of a first carousel of electronic program guide information that repeatedly broadcasts a first set of electronic program guide information with a first periodicity and a second carousel of electronic program guide information that repeatedly broadcasts a second set of electronic program guide information with a second periodicity;
• a memory for storing the electronic program guide object;
• and
• a control circuit operatively coupled to the receiver and the memory for determining if an object mask associated with the electronic program guide object is indicative of one of the first and second carousels of electronic program guide information, the control circuit causing the memory to store the electronic program guide object if the object mask is indicative of one of the first and second carousels of electronic program guide information.

A method of transmitting electronic program guide information comprising;

• providing a first carousel of electronic program guide information corresponding to a first section of time relative to a reference time, wherein the first carousel of electronic program guide information comprises first program data;
• providing a second carousel of electronic program guide information corresponding to a second section of time relative to the reference time, wherein the second carousel of electronic program guide information comprises second program data;
• cycling the first carousel at a first rate, wherein the first program data is repeatedly broadcast at a first periodicity;
• and
• cycling the second carousel at a second rate different from the first rate, wherein the second program data is repeatedly broadcast at a second periodicity different from the first periodicity.