AUTO-ADAPTIVE PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

摘要

An auto-adaptive program distribution system in which content is transmitted from one or more content providers to one or more subscribers each associated with a service group includes an auto-adaptive switch whose inputs is a set of programs from the content providers and whose outputs are grouped into at least two groups, the first of which is dedicated to broadcast programming directed to multiple service groups, and the second of which is dedicated to switched programming sent to one or more of the service groups. The switched programming group includes at least one program selected on an on-demand basis. The auto-adaptive switch is provided with an analysis module which handles the group allocation, and makes its assignments based on statistical analyses performed in accordance with prescribed algorithms which take factors such as seasonal television viewership, seasonal and aberrational events and programming, time of day, week, year, and so forth.