A system and method for blocking normal media content signals, such as television program signals emitted on a visual display of an electronic media device and substituting alternative content for blocked signals includes a control module operable to receive a blocking command via an input device electrically connected to the electronic media device. Receiving a blocking command results in the normal content being blocked and predetermined alternative content is played for either a user specified time or a predetermined time. Control over the television or other media device may be oral via speech recognition technology.

A system and method for blocking normal media content signals, such as television program signals emitted on a visual display of an electronic media device and substituting alternative content for blocked signals includes a control module operable to receive a blocking command via an input device electrically connected to the electronic media device. Receiving a blocking command results in the normal content being blocked and predetermined alternative content is played for either a user specified time or a predetermined time. Control over the television or other media device may be oral via speech recognition technology.

Systems and methods are described for a media guidance application (e.g., implemented on a user device) that avoids spoilers in presenting recording prompts relating to a competition by scheduling presentation of notifications according to the user profile.

Systems and methods are described for a media guidance application (e.g., implemented on a user device) that avoids spoilers in presenting recording prompts relating to a competition by scheduling presentation of notifications according to the user profile.

A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering multiple received channels from one or more source streams, and then selecting songs or tracks to playback from the buffered channels. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre or channels related in some other way. Navigation tools permit users to skip ahead and backward in the playback stream. A personalized radio channel playlist can be implemented as (1) content selected from buffered channels based on user preferences for artists, songs and the like, or (2) as a Mix Channel in which content from selected buffered channels is automatically mixed for playback in response to selection of a preset button assigned to the Mix Channel.

Recorded broadcast programs, including advertisements, are selected for playback responsive to user input. The user input may include pressing a button multiple times to cause recorded programs to be scanned through for a particular preset channel from newest recorded to oldest recorded. Pressing another button multiple times causes the recorded programs to be scanned through for the particular present channel from oldest recorded to newest recorded. Each time at least a portion of a recorded program is played back, the amount of time of the playback is kept track of. An advertisement credit is awarded for playback of the recorded program based on the amount of time of playback of the recorded program.

Recorded broadcast programs, including advertisements, are selected for playback responsive to user input. The user input may include pressing a button multiple times to cause recorded programs to be scanned through for a particular preset channel from newest recorded to oldest recorded. Pressing another button multiple times causes the recorded programs to be scanned through for the particular present channel from oldest recorded to newest recorded. Each time at least a portion of a recorded program is played back, the amount of time of the playback is kept track of. An advertisement credit is awarded for playback of the recorded program based on the amount of time of playback of the recorded program.

Systems and methods are described for a media guidance application (e.g., implemented on a user device) that avoids spoilers in presenting recording prompts relating to a competition by scheduling presentation of notifications according to the user profile.

Systems and methods are described for a media guidance application (e.g., implemented on a user device) that avoids spoilers in presenting recording prompts relating to a competition by scheduling presentation of notifications according to the user profile.

A receiving device of the present disclosure includes: a first processor that (i) receives a broadcast signal obtained by modulating multiplexed data including at least first multiplexed data in a first multiplexing format, out of the first multiplexed data and second multiplexed data in a second multiplexing format different from the first multiplexing format, (ii) demodulates the broadcast signal received, and (iii) outputs the multiplexed data obtained as a result of the demodulation; and a converter that (i) converts, into the second multiplexing format, a multiplexing format of the first multiplexed data included in the multiplexed data that has been output, and (ii) outputs converted data obtained as a result of the conversion.