Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for recording and publishing content on social networking websites and other websites include providing an imbedded link on a social networking webpage to media recorder software stored on an external server system, invoking the media recorder software within a displayed instance of the social networking webpage through an application programming interface for the social networking webpage, receiving a video stream defining video captured using the media recorder software at the external video management server system, generating and storing a video file using the received video stream at the external server system, selecting the stored video file for distribution via one or more communication networks, and providing the stored video file for display within displayed instances of webpages hosted on external web server systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for recording and publishing content on social networking websites and other websites include providing an imbedded link on a social networking webpage to media recorder software stored on an external server system, invoking the media recorder software within a displayed instance of the social networking webpage through an application programming interface for the social networking webpage, receiving a video stream defining video captured using the media recorder software at the external video management server system, generating and storing a video file using the received video stream at the external server system, selecting the stored video file for distribution via one or more communication networks, and providing the stored video file for display within displayed instances of webpages hosted on external web server systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for recording and publishing content on social networking websites and other websites include providing an imbedded link on a social networking webpage to media recorder software stored on an external server system, invoking the media recorder software within a displayed instance of the social networking webpage through an application programming interface for the social networking webpage, receiving a video stream defining video captured using the media recorder software at the external video management server system, generating and storing a video file using the received video stream at the external server system, selecting the stored video file for distribution via one or more communication networks, and providing the stored video file for display within displayed instances of webpages hosted on external web server systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for recording and publishing content on social networking websites and other websites include providing an imbedded link on a social networking webpage to media recorder software stored on an external server system, invoking the media recorder software within a displayed instance of the social networking webpage through an application programming interface for the social networking webpage, receiving a video stream defining video captured using the media recorder software at the external video management server system, generating and storing a video file using the received video stream at the external server system, selecting the stored video file for distribution via one or more communication networks, and providing the stored video file for display within displayed instances of webpages hosted on external web server systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving and distributing user-generated video content. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, via a network from a remote web server, a web page defining graphics data for presentation in a linear television broadcast. The received graphics data includes data defining one or more transparent regions. The method further includes compositing the received graphics data, based on the one or more transparent regions, with video from at least one other channel using a video switcher to form a composite video image, and transmitting the composite video image for distribution in a linear television broadcast.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving and distributing user-generated video content. In one aspect, a method includes receiving video data from a client computing device, where the video data is captured using a camera connected to the client computing device in accordance with instructions executed on the client computing device to provide the video data in accordance with predetermined constraints. The video data is automatically transcoded into at least one different format based on user credentials associated with a user of the client computing device and/or attributes associated with the video data. At least one format of the transcoded video data defines a video file in a format appropriate for inclusion in a linear television programming transmission. The transcoded video data is uploaded to a server for distribution.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for recording and publishing content on social networking websites and other websites include providing an imbedded link on a social networking webpage to media recorder software stored on an external server system, invoking the media recorder software within a displayed instance of the social networking webpage through an application programming interface for the social networking webpage, receiving a video stream defining video captured using the media recorder software at the external video management server system, generating and storing a video file using the received video stream at the external server system, selecting the stored video file for distribution via one or more communication networks, and providing the stored video file for display within displayed instances of webpages hosted on external web server systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving and distributing user-generated video content. In one aspect, a method includes receiving video data from a client computing device, where the video data is captured using a camera connected to the client computing device in accordance with instructions executed on the client computing device to provide the video data in accordance with predetermined constraints. The video data is automatically transcoded into at least one different format based on user credentials associated with a user of the client computing device and/or attributes associated with the video data. At least one format of the transcoded video data defines a video file in a format appropriate for inclusion in a linear television programming transmission. The transcoded video data is uploaded to a server for distribution.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving and distributing user-generated video content. In one aspect, a method includes displaying an administrator user interface identifying a plurality of videos available for selection, where each of the videos includes user-generated video content received from a user computing device. A selection of one of the plurality of videos for inclusion in a linear television programming transmission is received through the administrator user interface. A file including the selected video is stored for retrieval and inclusion in the linear television programming transmission.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving and distributing user-generated video content. In one aspect, a method includes receiving video data from a client computing device, where the video data is captured using a camera connected to the client computing device in accordance with instructions executed on the client computing device to provide the video data in accordance with predetermined constraints. The video data is automatically transcoded into at least one different format based on user credentials associated with a user of the client computing device and/or attributes associated with the video data. At least one format of the transcoded video data defines a video file in a format appropriate for inclusion in a linear television programming transmission. The transcoded video data is uploaded to a server for distribution.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for recording and publishing content on social networking websites and other websites include providing an imbedded link on a social networking webpage to media recorder software stored on an external server system, invoking the media recorder software within a displayed instance of the social networking webpage through an application programming interface for the social networking webpage, receiving a video stream defining video captured using the media recorder software at the external video management server system, generating and storing a video file using the received video stream at the external server system, selecting the stored video file for distribution via one or more communication networks, and providing the stored video file for display within displayed instances of webpages hosted on external web server systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving and distributing user-generated video content. In one aspect, a method includes receiving video data from a client computing device, where the video data is captured using a camera connected to the client computing device in accordance with instructions executed on the client computing device to provide the video data in accordance with predetermined constraints. The video data is automatically transcoded into at least one different format based on user credentials associated with a user of the client computing device and/or attributes associated with the video data. At least one format of the transcoded video data defines a video file in a format appropriate for inclusion in a linear television programming transmission. The transcoded video data is uploaded to a server for distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed are various automated methods and apparatus for scheduling and distributing user-generated content as part of or during a television program that is being distributed as part of a linear programming line-up of a television network. Users upload user-generated content through, for example, a mobile application on smart phone, a web site, or through an online service such as a social media network, and are given the opportunity to schedule transmission of uploaded content during transmission of television network linear programming by purchasing a time slot or bidding on a time slot through an auction process using real or virtual currency, including points, credits or other form of virtual currency, or being awarded or given a time slot. An automated process obtains available time slots and schedules user generated content for transmission by the network as part of previously scheduled, linear programming.

Abstract: Disclosed are various automated methods and apparatus for scheduling and distributing user-generated content as part of or during a television program that is being distributed as part of a linear programming line-up of a television network. Users upload user-generated content through, for example, a mobile application on smart phone, a web site, or through an online service such as a social media network, and are given the opportunity to schedule transmission of uploaded content during transmission of television network linear programming by purchasing a time slot or bidding on a time slot through an auction process using real or virtual currency, including points, credits or other form of virtual currency, or being awarded or given a time slot. An automated process obtains available time slots and schedules user generated content for transmission by the network as part of previously scheduled, linear programming.