Method and system of retrieving prior broadcasted programming at a user device from a service provider

摘要

A communication system 10 includes a network such as the Internet 50 or a telephone system 52 . A user device 14 communicates with the network. A service provider 12 communicates with the user device 14 through the network. The service provider 12 generates a program guide for programming, including currently broadcasting programs and past programming. The program guide includes program guide elements. The user device 14 selects a program guide element from the past programming to form a selection signal and communicates the selection signal to a service provider. The service provider 12 retrieves a program corresponding to the selection from a content repository 46 associated with the service provider 12 and communicates the program to a user device 14 through the network.