There is provided a content automation system and a method for use by the content automation system for issuing a content management message for use in a program stream. In one implementation, such a content automation system comprises a processor and a memory, and a stream messaging module residing in the memory. The stream messaging module is configured to issue the content management message by embedding a command sequence as metadata in a container data structure, and inserting the container data structure into the program stream. The command sequence authorizes a replacement of program stream content.
BACKGROUND(1) Changes in the way that media content, such as television (TV) program content for example, can be accessed by consumers has given those consumers a level of choice over their entertainment options that were unavailable to previous generations of TV viewers. Due, for example, to technology innovations enabling consumers to access TV program content using platforms other than traditional TV sets and through distribution channels other than traditional TV broadcasts, viewers now have considerable control over where and by what means they will view their programming of choice. For instance, the ever-increasing variety of program content available over the Internet has enabled viewers to selectively view TV program content using a personal computer (PC) or gaming platform at home, rather than through use of a traditional home based TV set, or through use of a mobile communication device while traveling or otherwise away from home.(2) The increased viewing options for consumers of TV program content have created significant challenges for content providers attempting to generate revenue though use of advertising or promotions typically delivered with the program content. For example, contractual agreements covering compensation for advertising delivered over a particular distribution channel, such as a linear TV broadcast, may not apply when the same advertising content is delivered using an alternative distribution channel, such as the Internet. Moreover, Internet P
1. A method comprising: broadcasting a linear TV program stream via a cable or a satellite network; concurrently with the broadcasting of the linear TV program stream via the cable or the satellite network: provisioning the linear TV program stream for streaming over a packet network; generating a command sequence; dynamically inserting the command sequence into the provisioned linear TV program stream; and providing the provisioned linear TV program stream including the inserted command sequence over the packet network to a third party; wherein the inserted command sequence authorizes the third party to remove at least one of an advertising content, a promotional content and a program content from the provisioned linear TV program stream, and replace the at least one of the advertising content, the promotional content and the program content with a replacement content provided by the third party to generate a modified program stream for streaming over the packet network for individually targeted distribution; wherein the inserted command sequence directs a return to the provisioned linear TV program stream during a playout of the replacement content and prior to completion of the playout of the replacement content.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: identifying an event boundary in the linear TV program stream corresponding to initiation of a program stream event; and determining a duration of the program stream event; wherein the inserting embeds a notification corresponding to the event boundary and the duration into the provisioned linear TV program stream.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the inserting is performed into the provisioned linear TV program stream within a buffer interval of the event boundary.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the notification identifies at least one of the program content preceding the program stream event and the program content following the program stream event.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the command sequence provides an offset interval for the inserting.
6. A system configured to broadcast a linear TV program stream via a cable or a satellite network, the system comprising: a processor, wherein concurrently with the broadcasting of the linear TV program stream by the system via the cable or the satellite network, the processor is configured to: provision the linear TV program stream for streaming over a packet network; generate a command sequence; dynamically insert the command sequence into the provisioned linear TV program stream; and provide the provisioned linear TV program stream including the inserted command sequence over the packet network to a third party; wherein the inserted command sequence authorizes the third party to remove at least one of an advertising content, a promotional content and a program content from the provisioned linear TV program stream, and replace the at least one of the advertising content, the promotional content and the program content with a replacement content provided by the third party to generate a modified program stream for streaming over the packet network for individually targeted distribution; wherein the inserted command sequence directs a return to the provisioned linear TV program stream during a playout of the replacement content and prior to completion of the playout of the replacement content.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the system is further configured to identify an event boundary in the linear TV program stream corresponding to initiation of a program stream event, and to determine a duration of the program stream event, and wherein the inserting embeds a notification corresponding to the event boundary and the duration into the provisioned linear TV program stream.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the inserting is performed into the provisioned linear TV program stream within a buffer interval of the event boundary.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the notification identifies at least one of the program content preceding the program stream event and the program content following the program stream event.
10. The system of claim 6, wherein the command sequence provides an offset interval for the inserting.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserted command sequence directing the return to the provisioned linear TV program stream is dynamically inserted into the provisioned linear TV program stream during the playout of the replacement content and prior to completion of the playout of the replacement content.
12. The system of claim 6, wherein the inserted command sequence directing the return to the provisioned linear TV program stream is dynamically inserted into the provisioned linear TV program stream during the playout of the replacement content and prior to completion of the playout of the replacement content.