ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE INCLUDING VIRTUAL CHANNELS FOR INTERACTIVE TELEVISION

摘要

An electronic program guide including virtual channels for interactive television includes multiple television listings (100) and multiple Web site listings (102). Each television listing (100) is linked to a respective television channel indicator (104). Moreover, each Web listing (102) is linked to a respective virtual channel indicator (106). The electronic program guide also includes an information panel (108). As the user scrolls through the listings (100, 102), information relevant to them is displayed in the information panel (108). A consumer can link directly to a Web site by selecting a virtual channel. Thus, a consumer who does not have an Internet computer is able to "surf" the Internet using his or her interactive television (22).