Systems and methods are provided for generating for display, with a media asset, one or more preview images. If a preview image corresponding to an advanced play position, relative to a current play position, provides a spoiler, an alternative preview image is generated for display. The alternative image may be a modified version of the original image in which at least a portion is removed or masked, or a replacement image, e.g., an image from another play position, a promotional image, or an indication that the preview image is not displayed. A different alternative image or modification may be used when a subsequent play position has been reached if the unmodified preview image contains a different spoiler, and/or a previous modification is no longer required, e.g., if, at the subsequent play position, the original image is no longer a spoiler, the original image may be used as a preview image.

Methods, systems, and devices secure content in memory. The content includes a lock that prohibits reading the content from memory. Prior to expiration of the lock the content cannot be read from the memory. However, a preview option allows at least a portion of the content to be accessed. The preview option provides a preview of the content. At expiration, the content is readable.

Systems and methods for stitching advertisements in streaming content are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving one or more advertisements. An unmarked content item may be received, the unmarked content item comprising a stream-enabled video including a set of sequential black frames. An insertion point may be identified based on a location of at least one black frame of the set of sequential black frames without requiring user input, the insertion point identified during streaming of the unmarked content item to a consumer system, the insertion point being ahead of a current playback point of the unmarked content item streaming to the consumer system. The one or more advertisements may be stitched in the unmarked content item at the insertion point. The unmarked content item may be streamed to a consumer system until the insertion point is reached, and the one or more advertisements may be streamed to the consumer system when the insertion point is reached.

The present technology relates to a reception device, a transmission device, and a data processing method for easily controlling operation of an application accompanying content.

The reception device receives the content and controls activation of the application accompanying the content on the basis of valid period information indicating a period in which the application is valid, thereby to easily control the operation of the application accompanying the content. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a television receiver or the like capable of receiving terrestrial broadcasting.

Systems and methods for stitching advertisements in streaming content are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving one or more advertisements. An unmarked content item may be received, the unmarked content item comprising a stream-enabled video including a set of sequential black frames. An insertion point may be identified based on a location of at least one black frame of the set of sequential black frames without requiring user input, the insertion point identified during streaming of the unmarked content item to a consumer system, the insertion point being ahead of a current playback point of the unmarked content item streaming to the consumer system. The one or more advertisements may be stitched in the unmarked content item at the insertion point. The unmarked content item may be streamed to a consumer system until the insertion point is reached, and the one or more advertisements may be streamed to the consumer system when the insertion point is reached.

Methods, systems, and devices secure content in memory. The content includes a lock that prohibits reading the content from memory. Prior to expiration of the lock the content cannot be read from the memory. However, a preview option allows at least a portion of the content to be accessed. The preview option provides a preview of the content. At expiration, the content is readable.

Methods and systems that provide an interactive media guidance application having a locked mode for viewing media assets. In the locked mode, the interactive media guidance application may provide media assets suited to a certain audience. The interactive media guidance application may determine suitable media assets for the locked mode based on media assets viewed by other users having characteristics similar to the user of the interactive media guidance application. In the locked mode, the interactive media guidance application may allow access to only certain media assets and/or limit the time period for which the media assets are presented.

In one embodiment, there is a content delivery system comprising: a communication network; a media component configured to transmit media content and associated metadata to user devices; a store holding permission vouchers for users of the system; an auxiliary content management component configured to: receive a request for auxiliary content insertion information from a user device, the request comprising an identifier of a user of the user device and an identifier of desired media content; access said store to determine permission for consumption of the desired media content in a resource constrained playout mode at the device based on at least one permission voucher for the user; generate auxiliary content insertion information based on the identifier of the user, the identifier of the desired media content and the at least one permission voucher; and transmit the generated auxiliary content insertion information to the user device.

Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server. The media server updates the foregoing information in accordance with the interaction between the media server, the users of media presentation systems, and the media providers.

A method and system for employing automated user input for an interactive application associated with a media program is presented. In an example embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a receiving device from a media content system via a network, a media program and an interactive application associated with the media program. Execution of the application is initiated during the receiving of the program. Based on the execution, a user interface configured to receive a user input to view added content via the application is presented. A script is executed to provide the user input to the application to provide the added content with the program. Based on the execution of the application and the user input, the added content is provided with the program. During the receiving of the program, the program and the added content are recorded for presentation to the user after the recording.