Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to manage streaming video content. A first time length specification for a content pod is accessed. If a determination is made that a response to a request for ancillary content of a duration corresponding to the first time length of the content pod includes ancillary content of insufficient duration to populate the first time length of the content pod, the content pod time length is reduced. Ancillary content items associated with the response to the request are streamed to a user device as part of a streaming channel comprising primary content having scheduled start times. A primary content item, having a scheduled start time, is streamed to the user device after the items of ancillary content, and earlier than the scheduled start time of the item of primary content.

Abstract: Systems and methods configured to detect and manage video transcoder latencies are described. A manifest is received and is used to request video segments included in a manifest playlist. A transcoder having an input and output is used to transcode video segments. A delta time for a first SCTE-35 marker between the transcoder input and the transcoder output is determined, where the delta time corresponds to a transcoder latency. A determination is made as to whether a corrective action needs to be taken with respect to the latency, and such corrective action is taken as needed. The corrective action may include a transcoder reset. The manifest may be a text file and may be in the form of an HLS or DASH manifest. Additionally, streaming latencies may be reduced by switching content distribution systems, increasing the number of edge systems distributing content to clients, and/or by increasing video cache memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A a video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A a video content item, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first time span within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first time span is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first time span. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first time span, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to manage streaming video content. A first time length specification for a content pod is accessed. If a determination is made that a response to a request for ancillary content of a duration corresponding to the first time length of the content pod includes ancillary content of insufficient duration to populate the first time length of the content pod, the content pod time length is reduced. Ancillary content items associated with the response to the request are streamed to a user device as part of a streaming channel comprising primary content having scheduled start times. A primary content item, having a scheduled start time, is streamed to the user device after the items of ancillary content, and earlier than the scheduled start time of the item of primary content.

Abstract: Systems and methods configured to detect and manage video transcoder latencies are described. A manifest is received and is used to request video segments included in a manifest playlist. A transcoder having an input and output is used to transcode video segments. A delta time for a first SCTE-35 marker between the transcoder input and the transcoder output is determined, where the delta time corresponds to a transcoder latency. A determination is made as to whether a corrective action needs to be taken with respect to the latency, and such corrective action is taken as needed. The corrective action may include a transcoder reset. The manifest may be a text file and may be in the form of an HLS or DASH manifest. Additionally, streaming latencies may be reduced by switching content distribution systems, increasing the number of edge systems distributing content to clients, and/or by increasing video cache memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and transmitting content are described in the illustrative context of electronic program guides and program channels. Data is received over a network from a first user terminal that enables identification of the first user. Program information for a digital program is accessed. A determination is made as to how many interstitials are to be presented during a playback of the digital program. A prediction model is selected and executed to generate predictions of user responses to one or more placements of program interstitials. The user response predictions are used to determine positioning of interstitials with respect to the program. The interstitials are enabled to be displayed on the first user terminal in accordance with the determined positioning.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable video on demand playback startup times to be reduced. A redirect database is populated with redirect locators. A request from a device for an item of primary video content is received. A static manifest file is generated including locators corresponding to the requested item of primary video content and redirect database entries storing redirect locators to default interstitial media. The static manifest file is transmitted to the device. Potential items of interstitial media are identified by sources of interstitial media, and a first item of interstitial media is selected. A redirect locator in the redirect database is replaced with a redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. A request is received from the device directed to the redirect database location storing the redirect locator corresponding to the selected interstitial media. The selected interstitial media is streamed to the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and transmitting content are described in the illustrative context of electronic program guides and program channels. Data is received over a network from a first user terminal that enables identification of the first user. Program information for a digital program is accessed. A determination is made as to how many interstitials are to be presented during a playback of the digital program. A prediction model is selected and executed to generate predictions of user responses to one or more placements of program interstitials. The user response predictions are used to determine positioning of interstitials with respect to the program. The interstitials are enabled to be displayed on the first user terminal in accordance with the determined positioning.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and transmitting content are described in the illustrative context of electronic program guides and program channels. Data is received over a network from a first user terminal that enables identification of the first user. Program information for a digital program is accessed. A determination is made as to how many interstitials are to be presented during a playback of the digital program. A prediction model is selected and executed to generate predictions of user responses to one or more placements of program interstitials. The user response predictions are used to determine positioning of interstitials with respect to the program. The interstitials are enabled to be displayed on the first user terminal in accordance with the determined positioning.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable the determination of a playback position of a video player. A request is received, at a system over a network from a user device, for an item of video content. Interstitial content is received. The interstitial content is segmented into segments and the segments are encrypted. A given decryption key is associated with a respective locator, such as a URL. A playlist manifest file is generated that includes locators corresponding to segments of the requested item of video content, segments of the interstitial content, and decryption keys for respective encrypted interstitial segments. The generated playlist manifest file is transmitted to the user device. A request for a first decryption key for an encrypted first interstitial segment is received, and based on the request, a playback position of the video player is determined. A corresponding message, indicating the playback position, may be transmitted to a remote destination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and transmitting content are described in the illustrative context of electronic program guides and program channels. A first system causes an interactive interstitial to be presented on a remote first device of a user in conjunction with a scheduled program. The first system determines if a second device of the user is available to receive an interstitial interaction request. At least partly in response to determining that the second device is available to receive an interstitial interaction request, the interstitial interaction request is presented via a client hosted on the second device. At least partly in response to determining that the user has provided an interaction via the second device, the interaction is stored in memory. Optionally, an interstitial is composed based at least in part on the user interaction. The composed interstitial is optionally displayed via the first device of the user in conjunction with a scheduled program.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying, assembling, and transmitting content are described in the illustrative context of electronic program guides and program channels. An electronic program guide comprises a channel listing and channel program listings. Supplementary content slots are identified. A slot is associated with a time length and is scheduled during or after a scheduled program. A first item of supplementary content, associated with a first time length, is selected to be displayed during a first slot on a user device. In response to determining that the first time length content is less than the time length associated with the first slot, the underrun may be compensated for by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the user device at a time earlier than scheduled and a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot may be extended to a first extended time length, with respect to the user.