Abstract: Apparatus (20) for digital media distribution includes a plurality of client devices (26) coupled to a network (24). Each client device is configured to receive and play a primary digital broadcast media stream from a first server (22) and to receive, via the network, an indication of an interval in the primary digital broadcast media stream in which secondary content is to be played on the output device. A control subsystem (36) transmits to the client devices, via the network, a message identifying at least one second server (34) that is to provide the secondary content. The message causes the client devices to suspend reception of the primary digital broadcast media stream at the start time while connecting to receive the secondary content from the at least one second server so as to play the secondary content during the interval.

Abstract: A method for digital video distribution in which a program is transmitted as a multicast stream over a network at a base rate. The stream includes a sequence of frames encoding video data, the sequence containing anchor points. A request from a client to begin receiving the program is received at a time subsequent to a given anchor point in the multicast stream. Responsively to the request, a boost stream is transmitted to the client beginning from the given anchor point at an accelerated rate relative to the base rate. The boost stream causes the client to display the video data beginning from the given anchor point and then to join the multicast stream when the boost stream has reached a point of synchronization with the multicast stream.