In one aspect, a method includes (i) receiving query fingerprint data representing content transmitted by a content-distribution system on a channel; (ii) comparing the received query fingerprint data with multiple reference fingerprint data sets, wherein each of the multiple reference fingerprint data sets corresponds with a different respective content segment; (iii) based on the comparing, detecting a respective match between the received query fingerprint data and reference fingerprint data in each of the multiple reference fingerprint data sets; (iv) accessing broadcast-schedule data associated with the channel; (v) using the accessed broadcast-schedule data to identify which one of the different respective content segments is being transmitted by the content-distribution system on the channel, thereby identifying a corresponding upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel; and (vi) performing an action to facilitate performing a content modification operation related to the identified upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel.

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 method for generating location-based advertisement includes receiving a selection of a first radio station from a user of a mobile device, receiving an electronic program guide from the first radio station including a plurality of advertisement time slots, where each advertisement time slot in the plurality of advertisement time slots includes an advertisement sequence for a first advertisement content, receiving a second advertisement content from a second radio station located in a geographic location matching a real-time geographic location of the user as determined by a location-based service of the mobile device, substituting the first advertisement content in the advertisement sequence of one of the plurality of advertisement time slots with the second advertisement content from the second radio station, and broadcasting the second advertisement content to the user via the mobile device.

A method of processing media output events, each having a corresponding duration, from a plurality of media content receivers within a media distribution system, comprises: a. dividing the output events into a plurality of segments, such that output events having similar properties are placed into the same one of said segments; b. within each said segment, identifying a long duration threshold based on the distribution of the durations of the output events within that segment; c. and applying the long duration thresholds of each said segment for control and/or analysis of the media distribution system.

In one aspect, a method includes (i) accessing broadcast-schedule data associated with a channel; (ii) using the accessed broadcast-schedule data to identify an upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel; (iii) responsive to identifying the upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a content-presentation device tuned to the channel; and (iv) causing supplemental content to be transmitted to the identified content-presentation device, to facilitate the identified content-presentation device performing a content-modification operation related to the identified upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel.

A reception apparatus includes a memory configured to store a television receiver application. The reception apparatus further includes processing circuitry configured to display, via a television broadcaster application, a user interface that provides a plurality of services for user selection. The processing circuitry is further configured to receive a user selection of a service from the plurality of displayed services. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine whether the selected service is an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 1.0 service. In response to the determination that the selected service is the ATSC 1.0 service, the processing circuitry is further configured to continue execution of the television broadcaster application along with a display of the contents of the selected service.

A method for playing out a media program including a primary programming. The method includes storing the primary programming; forming first and second sets of content for play-out during a break in the primary programming, where the second set's duration differs by less than a predetermined amount from the duration of the first set of content transmitting, by a first mechanism, a base program including the primary programming and subsequently, during the break, the first set of content, and after the break, the primary programming; and transmitting, by a second mechanism, the primary programming at a first time offset to the transmitting by the first mechanism before the break and subsequently, during the break, the second set of content and after the break, the primary programming at a second time offset to the transmitting by the first mechanism, after the break, the first and second time offsets being different.

A device, system and method for real-time personalization of streaming video is provided. The device has access to a memory storing: nonpersonalized video segments; and data for rendering personalized video segments, the nonpersonalized video segments and the personalized video segments associated with a given order. When a request for a personalized video is received, the device causes rendering of at least a subset of the personalized video segments to be rendered using the data, incorporating personal data associated with the request into the personalized video segments. As the personalized video segments are rendered, the device updates and transmits a manifest, to the communication device, identifying available video segments according to the given order. The video segments identified in the manifest are provided to the communication device in response to receiving requests for the video segments.

The present invention provides targeted asset system implementations in contexts where there is limited or no ability to use a real-time return channel for communications from user equipment devices (e.g., STB) to the network. In one arrangement, a household classifier is generated and delivered to user equipment devices. The household classifiers are generated based on third party data and/or network usage information associated with the household. The system and method allow for generating highly accurate household classifications that may be forwarded to individual households where the user equipment device may implant the classifiers to select appropriate assets for delivery to the household.

Disclosed herein is a music service that enables consumers listen to a broadcast radio station without commercials. The service operates by shifting the source channel of a radio from the broadcast radio to a streaming audio service for the duration of the commercial. In some embodiments, the service utilizes any of: a radio including native firmware/software, a mobile device such as a smart phone executing an application, cooperative integration of a radio and a mobile device, or master/slave relationship between a mobile device and a radio. The mobile device listens to the radio broadcast and determines when to shift between the radio broadcast and the streaming audio via any of audio fingerprint analysis, radio station behavioral analysis, radio station metadata, and/or radio station voice recognition analysis.