A content distribution facilitation system is described comprising configured servers and a network interface configured to interface with a plurality of terminals in a client server relationship and optionally with a cloud-based storage system. A request from a first source for content comprising content criteria is received, the content criteria comprising content subject matter. At least a portion of the content request content criteria is transmitted to a selected content contributor. If recorded content is received from the first content contributor, the first source is provided with access to the received recorded content. The recorded content may be transmitted via one or more networks to one or more destination devices. Optionally, a voice analysis and/or facial recognition engine are utilized to determine if the recorded content is from the first content contributor.

Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand (VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD server converts and stores the video content at a storage address in a video content database linked to the title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. This can enable many new blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular Hosts to be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their email addresses.

An apparatus and a method by which a content such as an advertisement corresponding to a user at the reception apparatus side can be selectively outputted to the reception apparatus are provided. A transmission apparatus transmits signaling data (MPD) having a user information setting region, a control information file capable of being accessed or generated applying user information-set data generated by a process for the MPD, and a user information-corresponding advertisement capable of being acquired and reproduced on the basis of description data of the control information file. The reception apparatus sets user information to the user information setting region of the MPD, applies the generated user information-set data to acquire a control information file of a user information-corresponding advertisement, applies the description data of the acquired control information file to acquire the user information-corresponding advertisement, and outputs the user information-corresponding advertisement.

Video features encourage and ensure that survey videos are viewed in full. The survey answer block and video rewind, forward fast and mute are disabled during the video presentation. With the user's permission, telephone calls, text messaging and browsing may also be disabled during the video. Interactive responses may be required at various points in the video to ensure that the viewer is paying attention. The viewer's image may be recorded or eye gaze may be tracked while viewing the video. Candidates may be qualified for viewing videos and selected in a priority order by meeting certain demographic conditions, having certain topics of interest identified in their social media profiles, agreeing to post-video direct contact, and having participated in prior video surveys. Potential candidates may be qualified by answering qualifying questions, viewing a teaser video, or responding to a prompt asking them to opt-in to the video survey.

The present technology relates to a reception device, a reception method, a transmission device, and a transmission method that make it possible to provide content according to a preference of a user. Provided is a reception device including: a tuning control unit configured to perform tuning control for tuning digital broadcasting using an Internet Protocol (IP) transmission scheme; and an acquisition control unit configured to perform acquisition control for acquiring content transmitted in the digital broadcasting according to a result of a matching process on a provider-side PDI-A indicating an answer set by a provider that provides content to a question on preference of a user included in transmission information transmitted in an upper layer of an IP layer of protocol layers of the IP transmission scheme and client-side PDI-A indicating an answer set by the user to the question in the digital broadcasting. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a television receiver set.

Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for integrating a broadcast media stream with media streams from one or more amateur sources. In one implementation, a method includes receiving, at a stream integrator, one or more user media streams captured by one or more user capture devices, receiving a broadcast stream from a broadcast provider, selecting at least one of the one or more user media streams based on one or more parameters, and integrating one or more of the selected user media streams into the broadcast stream.

Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods for viewer authentication are disclosed. An example system includes processing circuitry to execute computer readable instructions to send one or more instructions to cause the user device to: trigger collection of audio metering data from a sensed audio signal based on a programming schedule that is to identify when the program is to be broadcast; accept voting data from the user for a ballot presented in the program; transmit the audio metering data; and transmit the voting data. The processing circuitry also is to determine a level of exposure of the user to the program based on the audio metering data received from the user device; calculate a weighting score based on the level of exposure; and adjust the voting data based on the weighting score.

According to some example embodiments of the present invention, in a system for managing interactive media, the system includes: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: monitor a broadcast of a live media content production; receive, from a plurality of user devices, preference data indicating preferences for modifying content of the live media content production; aggregate the preference data; and transmit the preference data to a media production device for modifying the live media content product in real time during the broadcast.

A method for playing a movie asset in several playback devices. The method receives a request to play a movie asset and synchronizes clocks between a first device and a second device, which is a portable device. The method signals a start of the playback of the asset through the first and second playback devices, where playback on the second device is synchronized with playback on the first device. The method wirelessly transmits an alert message that identifies the asset through the first and second devices and includes a description of an upcoming or future segment of the asset, where a first version of the segment is played back through the first device. In response to receiving the alert message, the second device becomes configured to select a second version of the segment in accordance with i) user settings of the portable device and ii) the description of the segment.

Methods and systems including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a request for digital content to be provided from a plurality of items of digital content, determining a set of content scores for each item of digital content in the plurality of items of digital content, each content score in the set of content scores being specific to a user of the plurality of users, and a respective item of digital content, calculating a combined score deviation for each item of digital content based on a difference between a minimum content score and a maximum content score of the set of content scores of a respective item of digital content, determining at least one candidate item of digital content, the at least one candidate item of digital content having a lowest combined score deviation among combined score deviations of the plurality of items of digital content, and providing the at least one candidate item of digital content.