A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

Systems and methods are provided herein for identifying viewers who are engaged in a media asset but unlikely to consume secondary content, and presenting, to the identified viewers, some secondary content designed to incentivize the identified viewers to consume secondary content. These systems and methods determine that a viewer is engaged in a media asset upon determining level of engagement of the viewer in the media asset is greater than a threshold value. These systems and methods determine that the viewer is unlikely to consume secondary content upon determining level of engagement of the viewer in secondary content is less than a threshold value. These systems and methods, upon determining that the viewer is engaged in the media asset but unlikely to consume secondary content, generate for display secondary content related to the media asset during breaks in the media asset.

Systems and methods are provided herein for identifying viewers who are engaged in a media asset but unlikely to consume secondary content, and presenting, to the identified viewers, some secondary content designed to incentivize the identified viewers to consume secondary content. These systems and methods determine that a viewer is engaged in a media asset upon determining level of engagement of the viewer in the media asset is greater than a threshold value. These systems and methods determine that the viewer is unlikely to consume secondary content upon determining level of engagement of the viewer in secondary content is less than a threshold value. These systems and methods, upon determining that the viewer is engaged in the media asset but unlikely to consume secondary content, generate for display secondary content related to the media asset during breaks in the media asset.

A broadcast system acquires a first audio signal and a second audio signal, and switch from one of broadcast operations by a broadcast device to another thereof, the broadcast operations including a first broadcast operation that transmits the first audio signal and the second broadcast operation that transmits a second audio signal. The first audio signal includes: a first voice; and a first sound component representative of first identification information corresponding to first related information related to the first voice, the first related information being provided from a distribution apparatus via a communication network to a terminal apparatus, and the second audio signal includes: a second voice; and a second sound component representative of second identification information corresponding to second related information related to the second voice, the second related information being registered in advance in the terminal apparatus.

A system identifies a candidate time interval in programming media content for a playback of a media content along with the programming media content. The identification is based on an analysis of a request received from a client device. The media content is based on user intent information and a plurality of targeting parameters associated with a user. Based on a specified version of the programming media content currently played at the client device, the media content is modified. Personalized media content corresponding to the candidate time interval in the programming media content is generated based on the modified media content and one or more constraints associated with the user. The personalized media content is presented along with a modified display view of the programming media content at the candidate time interval.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

An ad is placed in a movie, by analyzing inherent characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewed characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewer characteristics of a viewer of the movie, obtaining advertiser preferences for placement of the ad in the movie, determining costs of placing the ad in the movie based on the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics and the advertiser preferences, and placing the ad in the movie in accordance with the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics, the advertiser preferences and the determined costs.

In a media automation system, a database server transmits a request to a traffic and billing system to identify both an advertisement for potential inclusion in a content block, and a first primary programming item to be scheduled adjacent to the advertisement in a broadcast log, i.e. a paired advertisement and primary programming item, and receives a message identifying the advertisement and the first primary programming item from the traffic and billing system in response to that request. The database server responds to the message from the traffic and billing system by inserting the advertisement into the broadcast log adjacent to the first primary programming item, transmitting a signal notifying the traffic and billing system that the advertisement and the first primary programming item have been inserted into the broadcast log, and delivering the broadcast log to a media server.