Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining, over a first mobile network, first media content from a media content server, and detecting a travel route associated with the communication device. Further embodiments can include identifying a group of mobile networks associated with the travel route in which the group of mobile networks comprise the first mobile network. Additional embodiments can include determining a network condition associated with a second mobile network of the group of mobile networks, and identifying a portion of the travel route associated with the network condition. Also, embodiments can include adjusting the obtaining of the first media content from the media content server according to the network condition. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Systems and methods are provided for recommending and dynamically scheduling content. A time when a request to consume a content item is likely to be received is identified and an identifier of the content item is displayed on a device. Prior to the identified time, an option to consume, at the identified time, the content item is also displayed on the device. In response to the option being selected, the device stops displaying the identifier of the content item until the identified time.

Systems and associated methods are described for providing recording of a blacked out media content item. A system receives a request from a first user device associated with a profile to record a media content item scheduled to broadcast on a second user device (different from the first user device) associated with the profile, at a second location. The system determines that the media content item is subject to a blackout during a blackout period within a blackout region. The system determines that the first user device and the second user device are associated with the same profile and that the first user device is at a first location outside the blackout region. The system then accesses the media content item for recording on the second user device during the blackout period. The system further transmits the recorded media content item to the first user device after expiry of the blackout period.

Systems and associated methods are described for providing recording of a blacked out media content item. A system receives a request from a first user device associated with a profile to record a media content item scheduled to broadcast on a second user device (different from the first user device) associated with the profile, at a second location. The system determines that the media content item is subject to a blackout during a blackout period within a blackout region. The system determines that the first user device and the second user device are associated with the same profile and that the first user device is at a first location outside the blackout region. The system then accesses the media content item for recording on the second user device during the blackout period. The system further transmits the recorded media content item to the first user device after expiry of the blackout period.

An apparatus and method for facilitating a synchronous display of a time-based media object (e.g., a video or audio file) with a remote device is provided. In one example, the apparatus comprises control logic for controlling the display of a media object in response to a user entered command with a first device, and communication logic for causing communication of the user entered command (e.g., play, pause, skip, etc.) and a metric (e.g., time or frame reference) associated with the media object to a second device for synchronizing the display of the media object with the first and second devices. The first and second devices may communicate via peer-to-peer communications, for example, in a collaborative or social application such as an IM application. Further, the apparatus may include various devices such as a personal computer, mobile phone device and/or mobile personal entertainment device, DVR, or the like.

An apparatus and method for facilitating a synchronous display of a time-based media object (e.g., a video or audio file) with a remote device is provided. In one example, the apparatus comprises control logic for controlling the display of a media object in response to a user entered command with a first device, and communication logic for causing communication of the user entered command (e.g., play, pause, skip, etc.) and a metric (e.g., time or frame reference) associated with the media object to a second device for synchronizing the display of the media object with the first and second devices. The first and second devices may communicate via peer-to-peer communications, for example, in a collaborative or social application such as an IM application. Further, the apparatus may include various devices such as a personal computer, mobile phone device and/or mobile personal entertainment device, DVR, or the like.

A method is performed using a smart TV, which receives from a television signal source device a television signal feed encoding primary television content and then presents that content. The smart TV receives data via the computer network, including first data representing a to-be-replaced portion of the primary television content and second data representing secondary television content. Using the second data, the smart TV automatically presents the secondary television content in place of the to-be-replaced television content. The method includes the smart TV: (a) automatically monitoring, during presentation of the secondary television content, the television signal feed and comparing it with the first data; and (b) automatically altering presentation of the secondary television content in accordance with a user-control action with respect to the television signal source device, in response to detecting any difference between the television signal feed and the first data indicative of that user-control action.

A method is performed using a smart TV, which receives from a television signal source device a television signal feed encoding primary television content and then presents that content. The smart TV receives data via the computer network, including first data representing a to-be-replaced portion of the primary television content and second data representing secondary television content. Using the second data, the smart TV automatically presents the secondary television content in place of the to-be-replaced television content. The method includes the smart TV: (a) automatically monitoring, during presentation of the secondary television content, the television signal feed and comparing it with the first data; and (b) automatically altering presentation of the secondary television content in accordance with a user-control action with respect to the television signal source device, in response to detecting any difference between the television signal feed and the first data indicative of that user-control action.

Systems and methods are described to address shortcomings in the conventional network storage systems via novel techniques to store offsets of a recorded program in a network digital video recorder (DVR). Storing offsets of a recorded program may be beneficial to users that would like to record media content that is broadcast either prior to a start time of a program, or media content that is broadcast after an end time of a program. This feature may be useful when start times and end times of a program are variable (e.g., in the case of sporting events, or other real-time events). This feature may also be useful for recording content of interest that is scheduled for broadcast prior to a start time of or after an end time of the program.

Systems and methods are described to address shortcomings in the conventional network storage systems via novel techniques to store offsets of a recorded program in a network digital video recorder (DVR). Storing offsets of a recorded program may be beneficial to users that would like to record media content that is broadcast either prior to a start time of a program, or media content that is broadcast after an end time of a program. This feature may be useful when start times and end times of a program are variable (e.g., in the case of sporting events, or other real-time events). This feature may also be useful for recording content of interest that is scheduled for broadcast prior to a start time of or after an end time of the program.