System and method for generating metadata for video programming events

A program-controlled device for generating metadata that describes the subject matter segments of a program, the device comprising a computer readable medium having stored therein programming instructions for causing the device to perform operations comprising:

• receiving data corresponding to a program, the data including production data comprising descriptive information and timing information;
• analyzing the data to determine individual segments of the program that pertain to different subject matter and the times and durations of the individual segments;
• analyzing the data to assign goodness of fit scores for each segment corresponding to subject matter categories of a subject matter classification hierarchy,
• wherein the subject matter categories of the hierarchy comprise at least a set of top-level categories, sets of first level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a respective one of said top-level categories, and sets of second level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a respective one of said first level sub-categories;
• and
• storing metadata for each segment, the metadata comprising goodness of fit scores and their associated categories, time data, and descriptive data.

A device for generating metadata that describes the subject matter of segments of a program comprising:

• means for receiving data corresponding to a program, the data including production data comprising descriptive information and timing information;
• means for analyzing the data to determine individual segments of the program that pertain to different subject matter and the times and durations of the individual segments;
• means for analyzing the data to assign goodness of fit scores for each segment corresponding to subject matter categories of a subject matter classification hierarchy,
• wherein the subject matter categories of the hierarchy comprise at least a set of top-level categories, sets of first level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a respective one of said top-level categories, and sets of second level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a respective one of said first level sub-categories;
• and
• means for storing metadata for each segment, the metadata comprising goodness of fit scores and their associated categories, time data, and descriptive data.