In one aspect, a method for managing streaming of video content to a client device includes providing the video content to a content distribution network for storage in a plurality of geographically separated resources of the content distribution network and receiving, from the client device via a packet-based telecommunication network, signaling to have the stored video content streamed to the client device. In response to the received signaling, one or more files are transmitted to the client device via the packet-based telecommunication network, each of the one or more files being in a format compatible with a media player on the client device, the one or more files comprising (i) an identification of one or more of the resources of the content distribution network available to facilitate streaming of one or more segments of the stored video content to the client device, the identification being dependent at least in part on a relationship between a geographic location of the client device and geographic locations of the resources of the content distribution network, and (ii) an identification of an advertising server, the identification of the advertising server being dependent at least in part on a relationship between the geographic location of the client device and a geographic location of the advertising server, wherein the one or more files, when processed by the client device, cause the client device to communicate with the identified one or more resources of the content distribution network and the advertising server to cause the one or more segments of the stored video to be streamed to the client device by the identified one or more resources of the content distribution network and cause one or more advertisements to be streamed from the advertising server to the client device.

In one aspect, a method for managing streaming of video content to a client device includes providing the video content to a content distribution network for storage in a plurality of geographically separated resources of the content distribution network and receiving, from the client device via a packet-based telecommunication network, signaling to have the stored video content streamed to the client device. In response to the received signaling, one or more files are transmitted to the client device via the packet-based telecommunication network, each of the one or more files being in a format compatible with a media player on the client device, the one or more files comprising (i) an identification of one or more of the resources of the content distribution network available to facilitate streaming of one or more segments of the stored video content to the client device, the identification being dependent at least in part on a relationship between a geographic location of the client device and geographic locations of the resources of the content distribution network, and (ii) an identification of an advertising server, the identification of the advertising server being dependent at least in part on a relationship between the geographic location of the client device and a geographic location of the advertising server, wherein the one or more files, when processed by the client device, cause the client device to communicate with the identified one or more resources of the content distribution network and the advertising server to cause the one or more segments of the stored video to be streamed to the client device by the identified one or more resources of the content distribution network and cause one or more advertisements to be streamed from the advertising server to the client device.

A system and method for remotely transcoding content includes a cloud location storing content corresponding to content titles, generating a playlist corresponding to content titles subscribed to by a user of a user device stored therein, and communicating the playlist to the user device. A user device is in communication with the cloud location through a network. The user device generates a selection signal for selecting a first content title from the playlist to form a selection. The user device negotiates optimal settings by intercommunicating between the user device and the cloud location in response to forming the selection. The user device communicates the selection to the cloud location. The cloud location has a transcoder device transcoding content corresponding to the selection to form transcoded content in response to the optimal settings. The cloud location communicates the transcoded content to the user device.

A system and method for remotely transcoding content includes a cloud location storing content corresponding to content titles, generating a playlist corresponding to content titles subscribed to by a user of a user device stored therein, and communicating the playlist to the user device. A user device is in communication with the cloud location through a network. The user device generates a selection signal for selecting a first content title from the playlist to form a selection. The user device negotiates optimal settings by intercommunicating between the user device and the cloud location in response to forming the selection. The user device communicates the selection to the cloud location. The cloud location has a transcoder device transcoding content corresponding to the selection to form transcoded content in response to the optimal settings. The cloud location communicates the transcoded content to the user device.

Processes, systems and devices are described to enhance the television or other media viewing experience based upon excitement data that is associated with the program. Excitement data can be used to identify the most exciting portions of media programs, therefore allowing for improved identification of programs or portions of programs for viewing, streaming, recording or other purposes.

Processes, systems and devices are described to enhance the television or other media viewing experience based upon excitement data that is associated with the program. Excitement data can be used to identify the most exciting portions of media programs, therefore allowing for improved identification of programs or portions of programs for viewing, streaming, recording or other purposes.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for avoiding playback of an advertisement by selectively switching between media streams. To this end, a media guidance application receives a plurality of media streams from different sources, switches to a first media stream and plays back a first media asset of the first media stream, and determines that an end to playback of the first media asset is imminent. The media guidance application then determines whether a second media stream of the plurality of media streams is within a threshold amount of time of playing back a beginning of a second media asset, and if the second media stream is within the threshold amount of time of playing back the beginning of the second media asset, the media guidance application switches from the first media stream to the second media stream and plays back the second media asset.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for avoiding playback of an advertisement by selectively switching between media streams. To this end, a media guidance application receives a plurality of media streams from different sources, switches to a first media stream and plays back a first media asset of the first media stream, and determines that an end to playback of the first media asset is imminent. The media guidance application then determines whether a second media stream of the plurality of media streams is within a threshold amount of time of playing back a beginning of a second media asset, and if the second media stream is within the threshold amount of time of playing back the beginning of the second media asset, the media guidance application switches from the first media stream to the second media stream and plays back the second media asset.

A mobile terminal has a communication processing unit that transmits, to a video display apparatus for displaying a broadcasted video content, a request for setting a viewing schedule of the video content. A storage unit stores a starting time of the video content for which the setting of the viewing schedule has been requested; and an information provision unit provides information to a user of the mobile terminal. A control unit determines whether the video display apparatus is existent around the mobile terminal. At a first predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit notifies the user of the first predetermined time. If the video display apparatus is not existent around the mobile terminal at a second predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit then notifies the user that it is the second predetermined time before the starting time.

A mobile terminal has a communication processing unit that transmits, to a video display apparatus for displaying a broadcasted video content, a request for setting a viewing schedule of the video content. A storage unit stores a starting time of the video content for which the setting of the viewing schedule has been requested; and an information provision unit provides information to a user of the mobile terminal. A control unit determines whether the video display apparatus is existent around the mobile terminal. At a first predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit notifies the user of the first predetermined time. If the video display apparatus is not existent around the mobile terminal at a second predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit then notifies the user that it is the second predetermined time before the starting time.