Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating a group watching session. In particular, group communications for a group watching session displaying a media content item to multiple users is initiated, one or more communication clusters for the group communication is generated, a user preference of a first user of the multiple users participating in the group communication is determined, and, based on the user preference, the first user is assigned to a first communication cluster of the one or more communication clusters for communication with another of the multiple users.

Abstract: The methods and systems described herein re-order social media feed items. In one example, the methods and systems receive on a user device social media feed items having a defined sequential order for display in a social media feed. The methods and systems also detect an occurrence of a triggering event and in response to the detection, reorder one or more of the social media feed items in a new order for display. The methods and systems further generate for display the one or more social media feed items in the social media feed in the new order.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating a group watching session, in which a group watching session for presentation of a media content item is initiated at a first participant device and a second participant device; a segment of the media content item for which the presentation of the media content item is to be synchronized at the first participant device and the second participant device is identified; a viewing progress of the media content item at the first participant device is determined to be different from a viewing progress of the media content item at the second participant device; and in response to the determining, the viewing progress at the first and second participant devices is synchronized for the presentation of the identified segment.

Abstract: The methods and systems described herein provide timelines of content segments on a user interface. In one example, the methods and systems generate for display a first content item, determine a current portion of the first content item and determine a related content segment that is related to the current portion of the first content item such that the related segment is from a second content item. The methods and systems also generate for simultaneous display a first timeline of the first content item, an indicator that indicates a location of the current portion on the first timeline, a second time of the second content item and a segment indicator that indicates location of the related content segment on the second timeline. The methods and systems further receive a selection of the related content segment.

Abstract: A system and method of providing enhanced content, for example, when a viewer may not match with a program in order to make a viewer comfortable and encourage the viewer to continue to consume the program. The system accesses a viewer profile and accesses content to provide for consumption. The system calculates a match score for the content based on the viewer profile and determines if the match score is below a predetermined threshold. If the match score is lower than the threshold, the system generates an enhanced program from the content based on viewer profile and provides the enhanced program for consumption. Enhanced content may include omitting scenes with violence, modifying dialogue with vulgarities, focusing on scenes with preferred actors or setting, adding external content, and other modifications.

Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for a bidding process between over-the-top, OTT, platforms. The method comprises downloading media content items from a plurality of OTT platforms, detecting a loading event on a first OTT platform, transmitting an available advertisement slot to the plurality of OTT platforms, receiving bid offers to display the downloaded media content items to a user, and displaying a first media content item with the highest bid during the loading event on the first OTT platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for generating metadata for content. Upon detecting a request for a stored media asset from a first device, a server determines that metadata is needed for the media asset based on determining that (a) the server has access to insufficient metadata associated with the media asset and (b) the popularity of the media asset is sufficiently high. The server then assigns at least a time segment of the media asset to the first device for analysis. After assignment, the first device gathers frame analysis and user input data while the user is viewing the media asset, and transmits the gathered data to the server. The server then uses the frame analysis data and the user input data to generate metadata, and makes the generated metadata available to all devices requesting the media asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for dynamically modifying a playlist for reviewing highlights of a media event. A playlist comprising highlights of a media event may be generated by a media guidance application. A user command may be received by the media guidance application to extend or shorten the currently-playing segment of the playlist. To generate a longer version of the segment, the media guidance application may access the media asset from which the playlist was originally generated at a position corresponding to the currently-playing segment, and generate a longer version of the segment. To generate a shorter version of the segment, the media guidance application may remove a portion of the currently-playing segment. The media guidance application may replace the currently-playing segment with, and begin playing back, the modified version of the segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recommending a media asset relating to a character unknown to a user are provided herein. The systems and methods may receive a first media asset viewed by a user, determine a first character in the first media asset, and include the first character in the character viewing profile for the user. Further, the systems and methods may receive a second media asset, including the first character, determine that a second character appears in the second media asset, and determine that the second character is not in the character viewing profile. The systems and methods may recommend a third media asset to the user for the second character.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for modifying content recommendations based on what content items will be available on content platforms to which the user will have access during a trip. Content items to be recommended to the user on a first content platform are identified by comparing characteristics of each available content item to a profile associated with the user. A second content platform to which the user will have access during a particular time period in the near future is also identified. The second content platform is queried to identify content items that will be available during the particular time period. If any content item available on the second content platform during the particular time period also appears in the set of content items identified for recommendation, recommendation of that content item is suppressed.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing content delivery and viewer engagement by identifying pre-event, interval, and post-event segments of a live event. User preferences are determined for various content types within these segments based on user profiles and content consumption data. Multiple media content streams are tailored to these preferences, offering user-selectable options to switch between streams. Automatic switching may be provided between streams using real-time analytics, user interest, content availability, and metadata analysis. Priority media content streams may be determined based on user profiles, real-time interactions, and feedback. The pre-event segment may include live interviews, crowd gatherings, and expert panel discussions; the interval segment may include highlights, expert analysis, and statistics; and the post-event segment may include interviews, celebrations, and expert discussions. The content may be cast between devices. A cloud-based infrastructure may deliver the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for generating a timeline of media assets on a media guidance application that dynamically adjusts the timeline of related media assets associated with the media asset selected by a user, by comparing keywords. In another embodiment, the systems and methods are described for masking portions of headline of the media asset for increasing interests in selecting the media asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for controlling access from a first content platform to content items available on a second content platform to which a user will temporarily have access in the near future. The first content platform identifies a period of time during which the user will have access to the second content platform and determines an access duration of the period of time. The first content platform retrieves a plurality of content identifiers of content items that will be available on the second content platform during the period of time. Upon receiving selection of a content identifier, the first content platform determines a duration of the content item corresponding to the selected content identifier and generates for display the content item. The first content platform then reduces the access duration by an amount of time equal to the duration of the content item.

Abstract: A media guidance application may determine a length of a portion of a media asset that the user has missed and compare the length with a threshold length. If the length is greater than the threshold length, the media guidance application may generate a first summary of the missed portion of the media asset based on segments of the missed portion of the media asset that are of a first importance. If the length is not greater than the threshold length, the media guidance application may generate a second summary of the missed portion of the media asset based on segments of the missed portion of the media asset that are of the first importance and the second importance. The media guidance application may generate for display the summary.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a notification in response to identifying a user in a capture of an event. A link between a user and an event is generated and a capture of the event is received at a first computing device. The user in the capture of the event is identified at the computing device and based on the link. A notification is generated based on identifying the user. The notification is transmitted to a second computing device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a media guidance application that provides advanced parental control features such as allowing parents to establish parental controls in a dynamic and individualized manner and allowing parents to track and/or limit the amount of time that a child views media content of a particular type.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for including supplemental content with segments based on the complexity of the segment. This may be accomplished by a system receiving complexity information related to a media asset and user information related to a viewer to determine if one or more segments of the media asset is complex for the user. If the system receives a trick play command, from the user, during a segment categorized as complex, the system can use the complexity information and user information to generate supplemental content, facilitating better user understanding of the complex segment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a size of a buffer based on a probability that a rewind request will be received during a currently playing segment of media. When the system determines that receiving a rewind request is likely, the system will increase the size of a buffer such that the rewind request can be accommodated using data from the buffer. When the system determines that receiving a rewind request is unlikely, the system will decrease the size of the buffer to free resources for other system components.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing an enhanced viewing experience for one or more users of an interactive media program. One example method includes receiving, at a computing device, the interactive media program, wherein the interactive media program comprises a plurality of alternative segments followed by a common segment. A selection of a first alternative segment is received and is generated for output. A summary of at least one segment from the plurality of alternative segments is generated, and the summary is generated for output. The common segment of the interactive media program is generated for output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying content based on event monitoring are disclosed herein. Control circuitry plays a delayed portion of a live content stream via a primary display window. The control circuitry detects an event in the live content stream and plays the event via a secondary display window overlaid upon the primary display window. The control circuitry determines whether to modify an aspect of a secondary display window based on the event and modifies the aspect of the secondary display window based on a result of the determining.