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 for collecting data from different sources is described. In one example embodiment, the system obtains content-related data from a plurality of source computer systems, automatically identifies, based on the content-related data, content items having respective popularity values greater than a predetermined threshold value as popular content items, and automatically generates a list of popular content items based on the popular content items.

Automated data-matching includes obtaining first and second stored fingerprints generated from first and second data. The stored fingerprints are divided into frames, and grouped into first blocks and second blocks including an equal number of frames. Each frame included in a current first block is compared to each frame included in a current second block to determine a number of matching frames, and a hamming distance between the current first block and the current second block is determined, based at least in part on the number of matching frames. A determination is made, based at least in part on the hamming distance, whether the current first block and the current second block match.

Automated data-matching includes obtaining first and second stored fingerprints generated from first and second data. The stored fingerprints are divided into frames, and grouped into first blocks and second blocks including an equal number of frames. Each frame included in a current first block is compared to each frame included in a current second block to determine a number of matching frames, and a hamming distance between the current first block and the current second block is determined, based at least in part on the number of matching frames. A determination is made, based at least in part on the hamming distance, whether the current first block and the current second block match.

Methods and apparatus to determine a state of a media presentation device are disclosed. Example disclosed methods include generating a first set of weighted coefficients based on first audio received by first and second microphones at a first time. Example disclosed methods include generating a second set of weighted coefficients based on second audio received by the first and second microphones at a second time after the first time. Example disclosed methods include comparing the first set of coefficients and the second set of coefficients to generate a similarity value. Example disclosed methods include, when the similarity value satisfies a threshold, determining that the media presentation device is in a first state. Example disclosed methods include, when the similarity value does not satisfy the threshold, determining that the media presentation device is in a second state.

Methods and apparatus to determine a state of a media presentation device are disclosed. Example disclosed methods include generating a first set of weighted coefficients based on first audio received by first and second microphones at a first time. Example disclosed methods include generating a second set of weighted coefficients based on second audio received by the first and second microphones at a second time after the first time. Example disclosed methods include comparing the first set of coefficients and the second set of coefficients to generate a similarity value. Example disclosed methods include, when the similarity value satisfies a threshold, determining that the media presentation device is in a first state. Example disclosed methods include, when the similarity value does not satisfy the threshold, determining that the media presentation device is in a second state.

A customized programming content creation system is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a media content search engine locates and retrieves media segments, and a storage component stores a user location indicator. A processor accesses scheduling information data structures for the media segments, and filters the media segments to generate a set of current local media segments. The filtering is based on a comparison of a user-associated location value with a geography value from the scheduling information data structure, and a comparison of a current time value with an expiration value from the scheduling information data structure. The set of current local media segments includes at least one local weather segment. The media segments are also filtered to identify at least one current news media segment. An integrated video stream is assembled. The stream is then transmitted for presentation on a user device of the user.

A broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a tuner configured to receive a transmission wave in which identification information is stored in a carrier, the carrier being modulated differently from a data carrier, a frequency band when the transmission wave is transmitted in an air being able to be identified by the identification information; and a controller. The controller is configured to identify a frequency band when the transmission wave is transmitted in the air by using the identification information contained in transmission wave received by the tuner.

A broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a tuner configured to receive a transmission wave in which identification information is stored in a carrier, the carrier being modulated differently from a data carrier, a frequency band when the transmission wave is transmitted in an air being able to be identified by the identification information; and a controller. The controller is configured to identify a frequency band when the transmission wave is transmitted in the air by using the identification information contained in transmission wave received by the tuner.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for determining a preference of a user for or against a participant of an event when a media asset relating to the event is being played based on monitoring user reactions to the event. Specifically, the media guidance application may detect a change of at least one of the biometric state (e.g., pulse rate, blood pressure, etc.) and physiological state (e.g., facial expression, gesture, body movement, etc.) with a user. The media guidance application may determine that an event has occurred within the sporting event that triggered the change. The media guidance application may determine that the user favors the first participant over the second participant, if the user reacts positively towards a score for the first participant in the event.