Abstract: A system and method of recommending and rating content and/or for generating a determined affinity between content consumers and reviewers. The method includes determining a rating for one or more user-surveyed content items and determining a rating for one or more reviewer-surveyed content items for each of a plurality of content reviewers. Comparisons are then performed between user ratings and reviewer ratings for commonly surveyed content items. As a result, affinities between user(s) and content reviewers are established and the user is provided with reviews and ratings produced by high-affinity content reviewers.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring ad impressions and receiving feedback on local ad assets inserted into a video transport stream at the set top box level. Each set top box stores the number of times an ad asset is inserted into an ad avail, along with a variety of other information relating to the playback of the ad asset. This measurement data is aggregated and sent to the ad decision service. In order to balance bandwidth usage, each set top box may report its measurement data to the ad decision service at a different time interval that is randomly selected. As it is desirable to receive the data in a timely manner, the random intervals may be confined so that all measurement data is reported within a predefined time period, such as for example over a twelve hour period.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inserting local ad assets into a video transport stream at the set top box level. The media advertising platform of the present system works in conjunction with existing platforms, such as an advertising decision service and a media platform. The present system further includes a client resident on end user set top boxes. In general, the present system operates by pre-caching advertisements to a set top box or boxes within a household or elsewhere. Each set top box is also assigned to particular groups, based on characteristics of the user of that set top box. Group membership information is also sent to the set top box and stored. The present system sends the set top box a decision matrix based on group memberships to allow the set top box to select and insert an ad asset targeted to the specific set top box.

Abstract: A system and method of recommending and rating content and/or for generating a determined affinity between content consumers and reviewers. The method includes determining a rating for one or more user-surveyed content items and determining a rating for one or more reviewer-surveyed content items for each of a plurality of content reviewers. Comparisons are then performed between user ratings and reviewer ratings for commonly surveyed content items. As a result, affinities between user(s) and content reviewers are established and the user is provided with reviews and ratings produced by high-affinity content reviewers.

Abstract: Promoted listings are defined in terms of priorities, which may be static, geographically dynamic, or demographically dynamic. The priorities are associated with program data that describes media programs that are scheduled for broadcast or other type of transmission. The program data and priorities are transmitted to client devices that are configured to generate a display of the program data based, at least in part, on the priorities.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring ad impressions and receiving feedback on local ad assets inserted into a video transport stream at the set top box level. Each set top box stores the number of times an ad asset is inserted into an ad avail, along with a variety of other information relating to the playback of the ad asset. This measurement data is aggregated and sent to the ad decision service. In order to balance bandwidth usage, each set top box may report its measurement data to the ad decision service at a different time interval that is randomly selected. As it is desirable to receive the data in a timely manner, the random intervals may be confined so that all measurement data is reported within a predefined time period, such as for example over a twelve hour period.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inserting local ad assets into a video transport stream at the set top box level. The media advertising platform of the present system works in conjunction with existing platforms, such as an advertising decision service and a media platform. The present system further includes a client resident on end user set top boxes. In general, the present system operates by pre-caching advertisements to a set top box or boxes within a household or elsewhere. Each set top box is also assigned to particular groups, based on characteristics of the user of that set top box. Group membership information is also sent to the set top box and stored. The present system sends the set top box a decision matrix based on group memberships to allow the set top box to select and insert an ad asset targeted to the specific set top box.

Abstract: Multiple keys are distributed to multiple clients. The keys provide access to media content. A group of clients are identified to receive substituted media content during a predetermined time period. Modified keys are generated that identify the substituted media content and the predetermined time period. The modified keys are distributed to the group of clients. The modified keys cause the group of clients to receive the substituted media content during the predetermined time period.

Abstract: In-program content telescoping can enable a subscriber to telescope into content that is specially associated with a broadcast program. The selectable content is stored as video-on-demand (VOD) assets that are related to particular portions of broadcast programs. In a described implementation, content providers created association linkages between broadcast programs and the VOD assets. Each association links a VOC asset to a broadcast program and a specific trigger location within the associated broadcast program. The association linkage may be include in VOD asset metadata and in trigger information. In a described operation, a client device detects trigger information in a media transport stream. In response to a request, the client receives asset representation indicators for the VOD assets that are associated with the upcoming trigger location. Upon arrival of the trigger location in the media transport stream, the client displays the asset representation indicators for consideration by the subscriber.

Abstract: In-program content targeting is described. A default data stream containing default content associated with multiple segments of a particular program is generated and transmitted. An alternate data stream containing alternate content for one or more of the multiple segments is also generated and transmitted. A client device receiving the default content via the default data stream detects the availability of alternate content via the data stream. Based on profile data associated with the client device (or a user of the client device) and profile data associated with the alternate content, the client device may access the alternate data stream for one or more segments of the particular program.

Abstract: A tunerless media presentation unit is described which dispenses with the use of traditional analog television tuners. In its place, the media presentation unit provides a pseudo-tuner which can selectively access streaming digital media information from a multicast and/or unicast network source, and/or a local source. In one implementation, the media presentation unit can simultaneously receive and process multiple streams of media information. This accommodates the use of multiple picture-in-pictures (PIPs), PIP-based channel browsing, PIP-in-guide presentations, and so forth. Various business models can be implemented which charge subscribers fees based on the number of streams they wish to simultaneously receive, and/or the total number of channels that they wish to access (not necessarily at the same time).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for content storage, auction, and management is described. In an implementation, a method includes auctioning storage space on a client as available, for purchase, to a plurality of potential purchasers. Purchasing information received form the plurality of potential purchasers is processed to determine which of the potential purchasers, if any, is permitted to store content in the storage space on the client.

Abstract: Promoted listing are generated and transmitted to client devices where they are displayed prominently in relation to non-promoted listings. The client devices record tracking data that indicates that a particular promoted listing has been displayed to and/or selected by a user. The tracking data is sent from the client device to a content distribution system that aggregates tracking data from multiple client devices, generates reports and/or bills based on the tracking data, and supplies the reports and/or bills to content providers associated with the promoted listings.

Abstract: Techniques for targeting advertisements based on consumer purchasing data are described. Consumer purchasing data is used to generate a profile associated with a subscriber to a broadcast television system. Consumer profile characteristics may also be associated with an advertisement that is to be targeted. Prior to broadcasting a targeted advertisement, a message is broadcast that notifies a client device of the consumer profile characteristics associated with the upcoming targeted advertisement. If the consumer profile characteristics associated with the targeted advertisement match the subscriber profile associated with the subscriber of the client device, then the client device tunes to an alternate data stream over which the targeted advertisement is broadcast. Otherwise, a default advertisement is received over the originally tuned data stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate the rendering on a video display device of a user interface (UI) including information promoting on-demand content and mechanisms by which a viewer of the video display device may select the on-demand content for access.