Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for triggering fast-content-switching with respect to streaming media such as RTSP streaming media for instance. When a server receives a DESCRIBE request or the like from a client that is engaged in an existing streaming media session, the server will determine if fast-content-switching is supported for switching from the existing session to the newly requested session. If so, the server will include in its reply to the DESCRIBE request a parameter (one or more pieces of data) that is interpretable by the client to mean that fast-content-switching is supported, so that the client will then request the server to start the new session without the client first engaging in SETUP transactions with respect to each media stream of the new session. This process can decrease latency in switching between sessions, by reducing the likelihood that a requested fast-content-switch will fail.

Abstract: A method to facilitate determination of an extent to which payment should be exchanged between the access provider and the content provider for delivery of content items to the client stations. Each client station will be provisioned with a list of available content items, including for each a flag and/or other data specifying whether the content item is payable or non-payable. When the client station sends a content request seeking a particular one of the content items, the client station includes the flag or other data. As the content request passes through the access provider's system on the way to the content provider, the access provider then reads the flag or other data to determine whether the content item is payable and perhaps an applicable payment amount. The access provider may thereby maintain a count of payable content transactions and/or other data to facilitate proper payment.