User's requirements for electronic program guide (EPG) in interactive television (iTV)

Although the electronic program guide (EPG) is not any more a "novelty" there are still different concepts about the applications and technical implementation of EPG. Such variations raises not only the question of compatibility between different vendors of EPG systems, but cause confusion to consumers: which system is most suitable to viewers and what are the criteria for suitability of an iTV-EPG system (containing EPG) for viewers. Some of the offered or proposed EPGs are reviewed. By marking their outstanding properties we have presented some EPG core features, important to users. We also give some opinions about the form and type of EPG "content" delivered to users and the functionality of the GUI (graphic user interface).