A system and method for identifying trending content based on context. The method includes generating at least one signature for each of a plurality of multimedia content elements, wherein each signature represents a concept, wherein each concept is a collection of signatures and metadata describing the concept; correlating the concepts of the generated signatures to determine at least one context of each multimedia content element, wherein each context represents a sentiment; and identifying, based on the determined contexts, at least one trending multimedia content element, wherein the context of each trending multimedia content element meets a sentiment threshold.

Systems and methods for switching from a linearly distributed live content and/or internet stream to other contents are provided by aligning timing between contents. Break points may be programmed between diverse non-time synced source encoder of the respective contents to facilitate switching between contents. A first linear stream is caused to be provided. A switchover time to a second linear stream is then identified. The second linear stream is caused to be provided at the switchover time. In different embodiments, switching may occur between different number of contents using the described systems and methods. One or more streaming contents may be up-converted and/or down-converted in different streaming systems.

A method includes receiving, from a requesting device, a broadcast station identifier associated with an over-the-air broadcast station. In response to receiving the station identifier, returning to the requesting device an address of a streaming station corresponding to the over-the-air broadcast station. A determination is made regarding whether the requesting device will insert advertisements locally. In response to determining that the requesting will insert advertisements locally, custom advertisements are transmitted to the requesting device for insertion into the streaming station corresponding to the over-the-air broadcast station.

A method includes receiving, from a requesting device, a broadcast station identifier associated with an over-the-air broadcast station. In response to receiving the station identifier, returning to the requesting device an address of a streaming station corresponding to the over-the-air broadcast station. A determination is made regarding whether the requesting device will insert advertisements locally. In response to determining that the requesting will insert advertisements locally, custom advertisements are transmitted to the requesting device for insertion into the streaming station corresponding to the over-the-air broadcast station.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that obtains consumption information for each of a group of communication devices associated with a user. A data plan is identified that is applicable to a communication device of the group of communication devices, and a group of media content is identified for the user based on the consumption information. The media content is provided to the communication device at a bit rate that varies according to the data plan. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that obtains consumption information for each of a group of communication devices associated with a user. A data plan is identified that is applicable to a communication device of the group of communication devices, and a group of media content is identified for the user based on the consumption information. The media content is provided to the communication device at a bit rate that varies according to the data plan. Other embodiments are disclosed.

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 communication system allows for clock synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver when switching from transmission of an analog signal to transmission of a digital signal. The system uses clock synchronization during transmission of the digital signal, but the clock synchronization may be lost when switching to transmission of an analog signal. A digital clock synchronization is embedded in the analog signal so that the clock synchronization between the transmitter and the receiver may be reestablished upon switching to a digital signal without any delay in transmission of the digital signal.

A communication system allows for clock synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver when switching from transmission of an analog signal to transmission of a digital signal. The system uses clock synchronization during transmission of the digital signal, but the clock synchronization may be lost when switching to transmission of an analog signal. A digital clock synchronization is embedded in the analog signal so that the clock synchronization between the transmitter and the receiver may be reestablished upon switching to a digital signal without any delay in transmission of the digital signal.