Abstract: Methods and systems for volume-level detection in content-modification system are disclosed. A content-modification system may make a first determination that a content-presentation device is receiving particular programming content on a given channel. The particular content may include a program segment immediately followed by an advertising segment. A second determination may be made that the content-presentation device remains tuned to the given channel during a time interval spanning a transition between the program segment and the advertising segment. An indication may be received from the content-presentation device of a first volume level of audio during a portion of the time interval prior, and leading up, to the transition, and a second volume level of audio during a portion of the time interval after to the transition. A comparison of the first and second volume levels may be made, and used as a basis for selecting and scheduling future additional advertising segments.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a request for supplemental content for use by a content-presentation device that is scheduled to perform a content-modification operation at a start-time and, in response to the request: receiving, into a first buffer of the content-presentation device, first supplemental content having a first video quality that is higher than or equal to a predefined threshold, and receiving, into a second, different buffer of the content-presentation device, second supplemental content having a second video quality lower than the predefined threshold. The method also includes within a predefined time period before the start-time, determining whether an entirety of the first supplemental content has been received into the first buffer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving from a content-presentation device a request for first supplemental content for presentation during first content-modification operation, and transmitting to the content-presentation device a link to a set of content items in a playlist including the first supplemental content. A request may be received from the content-presentation device for second supplemental content for presentation during a second content-modification operation. A determination may be made that the second content-modification operation is scheduled immediately after the first content-modification operation. Responsive to the determination, the playlist may be modified to include the second supplemental content positioned immediately after the first supplemental content.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by a content-management system and from a content-presentation device, a request for supplemental content, such as a replacement advertisement. The content-management system may then determine a technical characteristic of the content-presentation device and select supplemental content based at least in part on at least the determined technical characteristic of the content-presentation device. The content-management system may then cause the selected supplemental content to be transmitted to the content-presentation device to facilitate the content-presentation device performing a content modification operation.

Abstract: A method includes determining, by a computing system, a probability of whether at least a threshold portion of a particular advertisement will be presented on a particular content presentation device, and a cost associated with presentation of the particular advertisement on the particular content presentation device. The computing system calculates an expected revenue associated with presentation of the particular advertisement based on the probability and the cost. When the expected revenue exceeds a threshold revenue, the computing system communicates the particular advertisement to the particular content presentation device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for volume-level detection in content-modification system are disclosed. A content-modification system may make a first determination that a content-presentation device is receiving particular programming content on a given channel. The particular content may include a program segment immediately followed by an advertising segment. A second determination may be made that the content-presentation device remains tuned to the given channel during a time interval spanning a transition between the program segment and the advertising segment. An indication may be received from the content-presentation device of a first volume level of audio during a portion of the time interval prior, and leading up, to the transition, and a second volume level of audio during a portion of the time interval after to the transition. A comparison of the first and second volume levels may be made, and used as a basis for selecting and scheduling future additional advertising segments.

Abstract: A method implemented by a computing system includes receiving, from each of a plurality of content presentation devices, a request for supplemental content. Each content presentation device is configured to present program content received from a content distribution system, wherein the program content is associated with a program schedule that specifies an advertisement start time. The computing system determines, for each of the plurality of content presentation devices, a supplemental content processing time that corresponds to an amount of time required by a particular content presentation device to receive the supplemental content to facilitate presentation of the supplemental content. The computing system schedules the plurality of content presentation devices to receive requested supplemental content according to corresponding supplemental content processing times and advertisement start times.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving from a content-presentation device a request for first supplemental content for presentation during first content-modification operation, and transmitting to the content-presentation device a link to a set of content items in a playlist including the first supplemental content. A request may be received from the content-presentation device for second supplemental content for presentation during a second content-modification operation. A determination may be made that the second content-modification operation is scheduled immediately after the first content-modification operation. Responsive to the determination, the playlist may be modified to include the second supplemental content positioned immediately after the first supplemental content.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is disclosed. The method includes identifying, by a content-presentation device, an upcoming content modification opportunity on an identified channel, where the identified upcoming content modification opportunity relates to a modifiable content-segment. The method also includes receiving, by the content-presentation device, the modifiable content-segment. The method further includes performing, by the content-presentation device, a set of operations to prepare the content-presentation device to perform a content-modification operation in connection with the identified upcoming content modification opportunity on the identified channel. The method additionally includes receiving, by the content-presentation device, an instruction to operate in a test mode. The method also includes responsive to receiving the instruction, outputting, by the content-presentation device, for presentation the modifiable content-segment without a modification that relates to supplemental content.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes (i) accessing broadcast-schedule data associated with a channel; (ii) using the accessed broadcast-schedule data to identify an upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel; and (iii) responsive to identifying the upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel, performing an action to facilitate performing a content-modification operation related to the identified upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel, wherein performing the action comprises causing in-band message data to be inserted into at least a portion of a content segment that is being transmitted by a content-distribution system on the channel.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a request for supplemental content for use by a content-presentation device that is scheduled to perform a content-modification operation at a start-time and, in response to the request: receiving, into a first buffer of the content-presentation device, first supplemental content having a first video quality that is higher than or equal to a predefined threshold, and receiving, into a second, different buffer of the content-presentation device, second supplemental content having a second video quality lower than the predefined threshold. The method also includes within a predefined time period before the start-time, determining whether an entirety of the first supplemental content has been received into the first buffer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel. The method also includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel. The method also includes using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request. The method also includes requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a request for supplemental content for use by a content-presentation device that is scheduled to perform a content-modification operation at a start-time and, in response to the request: receiving, into a first buffer of the content-presentation device, first supplemental content having a first video quality that is higher than or equal to a predefined threshold, and receiving, into a second, different buffer of the content-presentation device, second supplemental content having a second video quality lower than the predefined threshold. The method also includes within a predefined time period before the start-time, determining whether an entirety of the first supplemental content has been received into the first buffer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is disclosed. The method includes identifying, by a content-presentation device, an upcoming content modification opportunity on an identified channel, where the identified upcoming content modification opportunity relates to a modifiable content-segment. The method also includes receiving, by the content-presentation device, the modifiable content-segment. The method further includes performing, by the content-presentation device, a set of operations to prepare the content-presentation device to perform a content-modification operation in connection with the identified upcoming content modification opportunity on the identified channel. The method additionally includes receiving, by the content-presentation device, an instruction to operate in a test mode. The method also includes responsive to receiving the instruction, outputting, by the content-presentation device, for presentation the modifiable content-segment without a modification that relates to supplemental content.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning the duration of supplemental content with the duration of modifiable content in content modification operations. An example method includes determining a duration of a modifiable content segment in a media sequence being received by a content-presentation device. The example method then includes identifying a supplemental content segment to replace the modifiable content segment and selecting from a predefined set of multiple different-duration versions of the identified supplemental content segment, a particular instance of the identified supplemental content segment based on the particular instance of the identified supplemental content segment having a duration closest to the determined duration of the modifiable content segment.

Abstract: A method and system for adjustment of replacement content duration in content modification operations. An example method includes determining a duration of a modifiable content segment in a media sequence being received by a content-presentation device. The example method then includes selecting a supplemental content segment based on the selected supplemental content segment having a duration within a predefined threshold range of the determined duration of the modifiable content segment. The example method further includes altering the duration of the selected supplemental content segment to be the same as the duration of the modifiable content segment. And, the example method includes causing the altered supplemental content segment to be transmitted to the content-presentation device to facilitate dynamic replacement of the modifiable content segment with the altered supplemental content segment.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel. The method also includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel. The method also includes using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request. The method also includes requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes (i) receiving query fingerprint data representing content transmitted by a content-distribution system on a channel; (ii) comparing the received query fingerprint data with multiple reference fingerprint data sets, wherein each of the multiple reference fingerprint data sets corresponds with a different respective content segment; (iii) based on the comparing, detecting a respective match between the received query fingerprint data and reference fingerprint data in each of the multiple reference fingerprint data sets; (iv) accessing broadcast-schedule data associated with the channel; (v) using the accessed broadcast-schedule data to identify which one of the different respective content segments is being transmitted by the content-distribution system on the channel, thereby identifying a corresponding upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel; and (vi) performing an action to facilitate performing a content modification operation related to the identified upcom

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving first content at a content-presentation device and presenting the first content, the first content comprising a first audio-content component. The content-presentation device may receive second content comprising a second audio-content component. The content-presentation device may determine a switch time at which to switch from presenting the first content to presenting the second content. During a first time interval prior to the switch time and ending at the switch time, the volume of the first audio-content component may be decreased to zero. At the switch time, the content-presentation device may switch from presenting the first content to presenting the second content. During a second time interval beginning at the switch time and ending at a second time after the switch time, the volume of the second audio-content component may be increased from zero to a non-zero volume level.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel. The method also includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel. The method also includes using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request. The method also includes requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.