Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented media service system 1) establishing a set of one or more conditions for a media-on-demand-based programming channel, 2) selecting, from a repository of on-demand media content and based on the set of one or more conditions, a set of on-demand media programs for inclusion in the media-on-demand-based programming channel, and 3) mapping the selected set of on-demand media programs to the media-on-demand-based programming channel to represent a scheduled, linear playback of the set of on-demand media programs on the media-on-demand-based programming channel in accordance with a linear playback schedule.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service system providing a manifest file for use by a media player to perform adaptive bitrate switching in accordance with an adaptive bitrate streaming heuristic, the manifest file including data that associates a first media program provided by an on-demand media service with a first bitrate and a second media program provided by the on-demand media service with a second bitrate; directing the media player to present the first media program; detecting, while the first media program is being presented, a channel change command provided by the user; and directing, in response to the channel change command, the media player to switch from presenting the first media program to presenting the second media program by providing the media player with a command to use the manifest file to switch from the first bitrate to the second bitrate. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A server device may determine content prediction parameters associated with multiple items of content; generate respective content prediction aggregate scores for each of the multiple items of content based on the content prediction parameters. A particular content prediction aggregate score, associated with a particular content, may be generated based on content prediction parameters associated with the particular content. The server device may generate a content prediction instruction; and may provide the content prediction instruction to cause the user device to receive and store a portion of the particular item of content.

Abstract: A method and system relate to receiving first comments, associated with first digital content, that are submitted by a first user, and determining an opinion of the first user with respect to the first digital content based on the one or more first comments. Determining the opinion of the first user with respect to the first digital content includes parsing the one or more first comments to determine a term included in the one or more first comments, and determining the opinion based on the term. The first user is clustered with second users who share the first users opinion regarding the first digital content. Second digital content, liked by at least one of the second users and have accessed by the first user, are identified, and a recommendation identifying the second digital content is presented for display to the first user.

Abstract: A system detects a first activity performed by a first user with respect to a media service while the first user is logged in to the media service with a particular user account and a second activity performed by a second user with respect to the media service while the second user is logged in to the media service with the particular user account, determines that the first activity is performed within a first device context and that the second activity is performed within a second device context, includes, based on the determination, the first activity in a local activity set associated with the first device context, the local activity set including one or more activities performed with respect to the media service exclusively in the first device context, and uses the local activity set to provide a personalized interaction experience with the media service within the first device context.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a multi-user collaboration tracking system 1) detecting an initiation of a collaboration session during which a plurality of users interact with a whiteboard space displayed on a single physical display associated with a computing device, 2) detecting an interaction event performed with respect to the whiteboard space during the collaboration session, 3) identifying a user included in the plurality of users as having performed the interaction event, and 4) associating the interaction event with the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device may receive a request to establish a virtual theater. The device may provide, to multiple user devices, information regarding a transaction and one or more playback options for the virtual theater. The transaction may relate to establishing the virtual theater. The device may receive, from the multiple user devices, playback preference information based on the one or more playback options. The device may establish the virtual theater based on receiving the playback preference information and based on providing the information regarding the transaction. The device may provide, to the multiple of user devices, media content via the virtual theater based on the playback preference information.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service provider system providing a browse view for display on a display screen associated with a user during a first media consumption session, detecting a selection by the user of a planning option, the selection of the planning option indicating that the user plans to consume at least one media program during a second media consumption session that is subsequent to the first media consumption session, presenting a user interface that allows the user to specify one or more parameters associated with the second media consumption session, detecting user input specifying the one or more parameters, identifying one or more media programs that are available for consumption by the user during the second media consumption session, and presenting listing information associated with the identified one or more media programs. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media content presentation system 1) maintaining a video-on-demand (“VOD”) channel surfing list associated with a user of a media content access device, the VOD channel surfing list identifying a plurality of VOD content instances selected from a library of VOD content instances that are available by way of the media content access device during a VOD browsing session, 2) associating the VOD content instances identified in the VOD channel surfing list with a plurality of VOD channels, 3) detecting a channel surfing command provided by the user during the VOD browsing session, and 4) directing, in response to the channel surfing command, the media content access device to switch to a VOD channel included in the plurality of VOD channels that is presenting a video preview of a VOD content instance identified in the VOD channel surfing list and associated with the VOD channel.

Abstract: A system is configured to receive, from a first client device, a request to join a social media environment in which a second client device is participating; provide, to the first client device, information regarding media content associated with the social media environment and a number of playback positions from which to begin playback of the media content; receive, from the first client device, information selecting a playback position for the media content; provide, to the first client device, the media content via the social media environment beginning at the selected playback position; monitor interactions with the social media environment by the first client device and the second client device; detect a change of state for the social media environment; and provide, to the second client device, information associated with the change of state for the social media environment.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service provider system tracking statuses of media programs with respect to a user of a media service through which the media programs are distributed by way of a plurality of different media distribution models and providing a user interface view personalized for the user for display on a display screen, the user interface view including personalized user interface content that indicates one or more of the statuses of one or more of the media programs with respect to the user. In certain examples, the statuses indicated in the user interface view may include at least a first status of a first media program distributed by way of a first media distribution model and a second status of a second media program included in the media programs and distributed by way of a second media distribution model. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service provider system 1) generating, based on a first set of most-accessed media programs of a first media distribution model of a media service and a second set of most-accessed media programs of a second media distribution model of the media service, data representative of a merged set of most-accessed media programs that includes at least one media program from the first set of most-accessed media programs and at least one media program from the second set of most-accessed media programs and 2) providing, for display, user interface content representing the merged set of most-accessed media programs. In the method, the first media distribution model includes a digital media distribution model that utilizes a digital media distribution channel, and the second media distribution model includes a physical media distribution model that utilizes a physical media distribution channel.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a computer-implemented media service system provides a graphical user interface view associated with a first functional area of the media service for display on a display screen, detects a peek request input while the graphical user interface view is displayed, and provides, in response to the peek request input and for display with the graphical user interface view, an activity indicator indicating a tracked activity associated with the second functional area of the media service. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: A user device receives, from an application server, a catalog of available content. The catalog of available content includes content available for delivery via multicast over a broadband wireless spectrum. The user device provides, to the application server, an indication of a user's selection of particular content available for delivery via multicast over the broadband wireless spectrum. The user device receives, from a content server, the particular content via a multicast transmission over the broadband wireless spectrum. The particular content includes multiple individual segment files. The user device detects a corrupted or missing segment file from the multiple individual segment files and requests, from the content server, a replacement segment file corresponding to the corrupt or missing segment file. The user device receives, from the content server, the replacement segment file via a unicast transmission to provide a complete set of segment files for the particular content.

Abstract: A network device obtains a first number of stars associated with a fan rating of a first asset by a first user, and obtains a total first number of fan reviews of the first asset. The network device obtains a first release year associated with the first asset, and determines a first sorting value based on a function of the first number of stars, the total first number of reviews, and the first release year. The network device sorts the first asset among other assets using the determined first sorting value.

Abstract: A system and method relate to identifying comments associated with digital content and submitted by one or more users. The comments are parsed to determine terms included in the comments. The respective classifications associated with the comments are determined based on the terms, and at least one classification of the digital content may be identified based on the respective classifications associated with the comments. In one implementation, the classification of the digital content is determined based on identifying comments associated with a portion of the digital content, and identifying a particular classification associated with at least a threshold number of the comments associated with the portion.

Abstract: A method, performed by a computer device, may include receiving a request for a video asset from a user device, wherein the request includes information identifying a device type associated with the user device and a processor load associated with the user device. The method may further include determining a bandwidth capacity associated with a connection to the user device; selecting a codec and a quality level for the requested video asset based on the device type, the processor load, and the determined bandwidth capacity; identifying a Uniform Resource Identifier associated with the selected codec and quality level for the requested video asset; and providing the identified Uniform Resource Identifier to the user device.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods may provide a user interface configured to provide a user with access to a plurality of browse contexts associated with a plurality of distribution models by way of which media programs are distributed through a media service, provide one or more user interface tools for use by the user to select which of the browse contexts is presented in the user interface and values of a refinement setting to be applied to refine the content of the browse contexts, track the values of the refinement setting individually for each of the browse contexts, and use the tracked values of the refinement setting to refine the content of the browse contexts presented in the user interface. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: A server device may receive, from a user device, a request to store a unique copy of particular content, associated with a particular user; store, in a storage device associated with the server device, the unique copy of the particular content; determine a set of attributes of the particular content; determine a set of criteria based on which the unique copy of the particular content should be provided to the user device, the determining being based on one or more attributes, of the set of attributes of the particular content; determine that the set of criteria have been met; output, based on determining that the set of criteria have been met, the unique copy of the particular content to the user device; and delete the unique copy of the particular content from the storage device after outputting the particular content to the user device.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service provider system 1) providing for display in a media program browse view on a display screen, a cover art image object representing a media program within a grid of cover art image objects representing a plurality of media programs accessible through a media program distribution service, 2) determining a media distribution model by way of which the media program represented by the cover art image object is accessible through the media program distribution service, and 3) providing, for display in the media program browse view together with the cover art image object, an accessibility indicator that indicates the media distribution model by way of which the media program is accessible. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.