Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically identifying restored availability of multi-channel media distributors for authentication or authorization. For example, during a period of reduced availability for a multi-channel media distributor, the entitlement service diverts some or all requests from reaching the multi-channel media distributor. These requests are for programmers associated with the multi-channel media distributor to provide media content to user devices. The entitlement service subsequently transmits test requests to the multi-channel media distributor. The entitlement service determines that the multi-channel media distributor has authenticated user credentials included in the test requests or has authorized content access based on the test requests.

Abstract: One embodiment includes implementing adaptive streaming by a switch manager application executed at a client device. The switch manager application can determine a respective weight for a plurality of switching rules. Each switching rule can include one or more criteria for generating a recommended quality level. Each weight can include data describing a reliability of the rule. The switch manager application can select, based at least partially on the respective weight of the at least one switching rule, at least one switching rule of the plurality of switching rules to generate a recommendation. Another embodiment includes the switch manager application generating a recommendation including a quality level and a confidence level from each of the plurality of switching rules. The switch manager application can determine a selected quality level based on the weights of the switching rules and the quality levels and confidence levels of the recommendations.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically identifying restored availability of multi-channel media distributors for authentication or authorization. For example, during a period of reduced availability for a multi-channel media distributor, the entitlement service diverts some or all requests from reaching the multi-channel media distributor. These requests are for programmers associated with the multi-channel media distributor to provide media content to user devices. The entitlement service subsequently transmits test requests to the multi-channel media distributor. The entitlement service determines that the multi-channel media distributor has authenticated user credentials included in the test requests or has authorized content access based on the test requests.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for automatically identifying reduced availability of multi-channel media distributors for authentication or authorization. For example, an entitlement service communicates with a multi-channel media distributor to authenticate viewers requesting content from programmers or to confirm that authenticated viewers are authorized to receive content from the programmers. The entitlement service receives requests for various programmers to provide media content to user devices, and transmits the requests to the multi-channel media distributor. The entitlement service determines a reduced availability of the multi-channel media distributor based on, for example, an unusually low success rate for authenticating users or authorizing the users' access to content access based on the transmitted requests.

Abstract: At least one of a probability density for a video and a granularity mapping for the video based upon the probability density are generated at an analytics server. The probability density is calculated according to a predetermined set of points in the video and a pseudo-randomly generated set of points in the video. The probability density is non-degenerate. The granularity mapping for the video provides a mapping of the probability density to the video. The at least one of the probability density and the granularity mapping are sent from the analytics server to a video content server so that the video content server sends the video and the at least one of the probability density, and the granularity mapping to each of a plurality of clients. A set of beacons is generated by the each of the plurality of the clients according to the probability density and the granularity mapping.

Abstract: At least one of an initial probability density for a video and an initial granularity mapping for the video based upon the initial probability density are generated at an analytics server. The initial probability density is calculated according to a set of points in the video. A set of beacons is generated by the each of the plurality of the clients according to the at least one of the initial probability density and the initial granularity mapping during playback of the video based on a duration of the playback by the each of the plurality of the clients is received at the analytics server. Further, at least one of an updated probability density and an updated granularity mapping based upon the updated probability density are generated such that a quantity of beacons in the set of beacons is modified.

Abstract: One embodiment includes implementing adaptive streaming by a switch manager application executed at a client device. The switch manager application can determine a respective weight for a plurality of switching rules. Each switching rule can include one or more criteria for generating a recommended quality level. Each weight can include data describing a reliability of the rule. The switch manager application can select, based at least partially on the respective weight of the at least one switching rule, at least one switching rule of the plurality of switching rules to generate a recommendation. Another embodiment includes the switch manager application generating a recommendation including a quality level and a confidence level from each of the plurality of switching rules. The switch manager application can determine a selected quality level based on the weights of the switching rules and the quality levels and confidence levels of the recommendations.

Abstract: At least one of an initial probability density for a video and an initial granularity mapping for the video based upon the initial probability density are generated at an analytics server. The initial probability density is calculated according to a set of points in the video. A set of beacons is generated by the each of the plurality of the clients according to the at least one of the initial probability density and the initial granularity mapping during playback of the video based on a duration of the playback by the each of the plurality of the clients is received at the analytics server. Further, at least one of an updated probability density and an updated granularity mapping based upon the updated probability density are generated such that a quantity of beacons in the set of beacons is modified.

Abstract: At least one of a probability density for a video and a granularity mapping for the video based upon the probability density are generated at an analytics server. The probability density is calculated according to a predetermined set of points in the video and a pseudo-randomly generated set of points in the video. The probability density is non-degenerate. The granularity mapping for the video provides a mapping of the probability density to the video. The at least one of the probability density and the granularity mapping are sent from the analytics server to a video content server so that the video content server sends the video and the at least one of the probability density, and the granularity mapping to each of a plurality of clients. A set of beacons is generated by the each of the plurality of the clients according to the probability density and the granularity mapping.