The present invention provides systems and methods for flexible locking and
unlocking programming content. Programming content and the content of the
programming content is often described by electronic program guide (EPG)
data or guide data. Using the guide data, a user is able to create, alter
and unlock locks on the programming content. Locking and unlocking the
programming content can be based on characteristics of the programming
content such as the duration of the programming content, start times of
the programming content, end times of the programming content, content
descriptors and ratings of the programming content and the like. The
ability to create and unlock locks is flexible and can be directed
specifically to particular programs within a channel or to specific
channels. The ability to create and unlock locks can further be based on
user profiles such that the programming content provided to particular
users is determined by the user's profile. The ability to alter locks on
programming content enable a user to determine the programming content
that will be accessible in a highly configurable manner.
