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General Instrument Corporation

Nancy S Lucore

Christopher John Bennett

Steven E Anderson

A remotely retunable receiver for use in a satellite video programming distribution system includes the capability to retune groups of subscribers to different satellite feeds during a blackout of a video programming event. To achieve flexible control over program blackouts, a receiver retune command message is selectively sent to desired groups of descramblers at CATV satellite downlinks. The retune command message identifies an alternate satellite feed and a time for which the satellite receiver is to tune to the alternate satellite feed. The receiver stores the retune command, and at the appropriate time retunes the satellite receiver to the identified alternate feed. By command messages received on the alternate feed, the group of blacked out satellite receivers are returned to the original programming channel at the end of the blacked out event. Also provided is a command message for local insertion of demographically targeted advertising which command message designates the start time and duration of the local insertion. Furthermore, a home channel command is provided to individual satellite receivers to return the receiver to a home satellite feed in the event of an unrecoverable error.

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Vista, CA, United States of America

Nancy S Lucore