Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining available media content items and identifying a first number of wireless broadcast channels of a wireless network having a limited channel capacity and adapted to broadcast media content items within a coverage area. A demand for a group of media content items is identified, and media content items are selected according to the demand, wherein broadcasting of the selected media content items within the coverage area does not exceed the limited channel capacity. The selected media content items are assigned to a group of broadcast channels of the first number of wireless broadcast channels to obtain a broadcast channel assignment for the coverage area. The wireless network is configured to broadcast the selected media content items within the coverage area via wireless broadcast channels according to the broadcast channel assignment. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining available media content items and identifying a first number of wireless broadcast channels of a wireless network having a limited channel capacity and adapted to broadcast media content items within a coverage area. A demand for a group of media content items is identified, and media content items are selected according to the demand, wherein broadcasting of the selected media content items within the coverage area does not exceed the limited channel capacity. The selected media content items are assigned to a group of broadcast channels of the first number of wireless broadcast channels to obtain a broadcast channel assignment for the coverage area. The wireless network is configured to broadcast the selected media content items within the coverage area via wireless broadcast channels according to the broadcast channel assignment. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods for maximizing the bandwidth utilization in the uplink of a communication system supporting time division multiplexing between unicast and multicast/broadcast communication modes during transmission time intervals in the downlink of a communication system. This is accomplished by multiplexing at least unicast control signaling for UL scheduling assignments in TTIs supporting the multicast/broadcast communication mode. Moreover, multiplexing of unicast control signaling can also be accomplished by splitting a symbol of the multicast/broadcast TTI into two shorter symbols with the first of these two shorter symbols carrying at least unicast control signaling and the second of these shorter symbols carrying multicast/broadcast signaling.

A method includes receiving, at a media interface device, a media selection command included in a first communication from an application executing on a processor in a display device. The method further includes transmitting a signal to a particular module of a plurality of modules of the media interface device, where the particular module is selected based on the media selection command, and where each of the plurality of modules is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The method further includes sending a second communication to the application. The second communication includes a particular media content item received via the particular module.

A method includes receiving, at a media interface device, a media selection command included in a first communication from an application executing on a processor in a display device. The method further includes transmitting a signal to a particular module of a plurality of modules of the media interface device, where the particular module is selected based on the media selection command, and where each of the plurality of modules is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The method further includes sending a second communication to the application. The second communication includes a particular media content item received via the particular module.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to join a multicast group having an associated multicast address, wherein the multicast address is associated with a first content type of a plurality of content types, access encoded content associated with the first content type from the multicast address, wherein the encoded content is transmitted by at least one source associated with the multicast group to the multicast address, decode the accessed encoded content, and display the decoded content on a channel mapped to the multicast address. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to join a multicast group having an associated multicast address, wherein the multicast address is associated with a first content type of a plurality of content types, access encoded content associated with the first content type from the multicast address, wherein the encoded content is transmitted by at least one source associated with the multicast group to the multicast address, decode the accessed encoded content, and display the decoded content on a channel mapped to the multicast address. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Systems and methods of peer-to-peer video data sharing are disclosed. A particular system includes a television receiver to receive television data from a server. The system also includes an instant channel change (ICC) module to send a request for ICC data to one or more peer network elements via a peer-to-peer service.

Systems and methods of peer-to-peer video data sharing are disclosed. A particular system includes a television receiver to receive television data from a server. The system also includes an instant channel change (ICC) module to send a request for ICC data to one or more peer network elements via a peer-to-peer service.

A content monitor includes a processor that at least receives requests from a plurality of clients for content, instructs each client to retry their respective request at a first later time if the request is received before a first time, counts the requests to determine if a number of the requests exceeds a threshold if the request is received before a second time, instructs each client to retry their respective request at a second later time if the counted number of requests does not exceed a first threshold, instructs each client to join a multicast group to receive the content when the number of requests exceeds the first threshold, and counts a number of late clients joining the multicast group after a first portion of the content has been sent to the multicast group.