Abstract: The present invention provides a method implemented by a server for transmitting a content stream through a network to a client. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a request from the client to play the content stream; (b) generating a list of candidate segments; (c) determining the best candidate segment for every position; (d) storing the plurality of segments; (e) sending each specified segment to the client.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system (3) that provides more than one technique for delivering media and advertisements to consumers (26a) and consumers (26b) over a network (23) and, where a technique permits, measuring the exposure of consumers (26a) and (26b) to the media and advertisements with precision and, where a technique does not permit, using exposure information from other techniques to demonstrate consumer (26a) and (26b) exposure to the media and advertisements. Advantageously, offline consumer (26b) exposure to downloaded media content and advertisements can be demonstrated, which significantly increases the attractiveness of downloaded media content to advertiser (5).