Abstract: A method and system for switching between a unicast streaming source and a multicast streaming source of over-the-top (OTT) streams are provided. The method includes retrieving an OTT unicast stream from the unicast streaming source and an OTT multicast stream from the multicast streaming source, wherein there is a time delay between the OTT unicast stream and the OTT multicast stream; synchronizing the OTT unicast stream and the OTT multicast stream to compensate for the time delay; selecting one of the OTT unicast stream and the OTT multicast stream; and switching to a streaming source of the selected OTT stream.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a live over-the-top (OTT) stream are provided. The method includes analyzing a received request for an OTT stream; requesting a plurality of time-shifted OTT streams respective of the requested OTT stream when the analysis of the received request indicates that the requested OTT stream is suspected as a live OTT stream; analyzing the plurality of time-shifted OTT streams, wherein each analysis of a suspected live OTT stream results in a definitive indication of whether the requested OTT stream is a live OTT stream.