Content selection and playback in a network environment

Abstract

In response to receiving a watch now command to playback selected content, a content source selector resource identifies one or more sources (e.g., digital video recorder, video on demand, linear television channel, etc.) from which selected content is available. To select amongst multiple possible resources from which to retrieve the selected content, the content source selector resource traverses a decision tree on behalf of the user to select a source from which to retrieve selected content. In certain instances, such as when content is currently not available or the subscriber wishes to watch the content later, a subscriber can select a watch later command to indicate a desire to record content for later viewing. In this latter instance, the decision tree also can be used to select a source from which to retrieve and store selected content for later viewing.