INTERNET STREAMING CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD

Described are various embodiments of a system and method in which content may be delivered embedded within streaming programming contents over Internet, to be selectively viewed concurrently therewith by subscribers in exchange for compensation. For example, compensation may be provided in the form of a subscription fee reduction, wherein incrementally accumulated ad viewing credits can be applied against a subscriber's next invoice or statement.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to Internet streaming content delivery, such as via WebTV and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) systems, and, in particular, to an Internet streaming content delivery system and method, and a content delivery method therefor.

BACKGROUND

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcasting systems are becoming increasingly popular, delivering multimedia (e.g. audio/visual) content to subscribers around the globe via an Internet connection. In general, IPTV is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats. Using this format, greater flexibility and interactivity may be provided to users as compared to traditional television broadcasting techniques. Similar system architectures are also used to provide WebTV services, for example over an Internet connection to a user's personal computer (PC) or wireless device.

Different services may include, but are not limited to, live television broadcast, time-shifted broadcasts, and video-on-demand (VOD) broadcast, each service delivering streaming multimedia content along with, in some examples, interactive features and/or functions, across an access agnostic, packet switched network that employs the IP protocol to transport the audio, video and control signals. Subscriber-based IPTV models generally employ telecommunications networks with high-speed access channels into end-user premises via set-top boxes (STB) or other customer-premises equipment, i.e. such as IPTV-ready televisual equipment. Customers, at their end, will generally pay a subscription fee for the service they receive, which may vary on the amount or variety of content they may wish to access, different service packages, and the like.

As with traditional television broadcasting systems, content plays an important role in the economics of IPTV broadcasting, and generally takes the form of traditional audio/visual content or ads nested periodically between segments of selected programing to be viewed by end users.

The provision of Internet-based broadcasting has opened the door to new concepts and flexibilities in content delivery, advertising and subscription packages. For example, in US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0117783, pay-per-view programming is delivered to an IPTV or personal computer (PC) for a fee, unless a customer has previously consented to viewing advertising materials, in which case the programming is delivered free of charge and selected advertising materials are inset within the delivered programming via screen-splitting technology.

A similar approach was reported in a Forbes magazine article published Mar. 1, 2013 and titled: Watch Ads, Get Paid: Is This The Future Of Ad-Supported Content? (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jjcolao/2013/03/01/watch-ads-get-paid-is-this-the-future-of-ad-supported-content/). In this article, a company is reported to provide a pay-per-view model in which customers may select to pay for each content item directly, or accumulate credits by previously viewing content, which credits can then be used to purchase a content item for viewing.

In US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0107011, service level differentiation in an IPTV delivery system is described, wherein subscribers may choose to pay lower or higher subscription fees for IPTV services in exchange for being exposed to less or more content, respectively, or again to gain access to value-added content. In general, this technique allows a subscriber to select a payment level at the onset in exchange for different viewing privileges, in one case selecting the amount of content they will be exposed to.

This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the general inventive concept(s) described herein to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to restrict key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention beyond that which is explicitly or implicitly described by the following description and claims.

A need exists for an Internet streaming content delivery system and method, and content delivery method therefor, that overcome some of the drawbacks of known techniques, or at least, provides a useful alternative thereto. Some aspects of this disclosure provide examples of such systems and methods.

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a method for delivering content over an Internet streaming content delivery system, the method comprising: providing subscribers selective access, via a subscriber terminal, to programming content over an IP network in either of an original programming content stream and an embedded programming content stream; receiving, from a given subscriber terminal, remote selection of given programming content in either of said original programming content stream and said embedded programming content stream; in response to said remote selection being for said original programming content stream, streaming said given programming content to said given subscriber terminal in original format; in response to said remote selection being for said embedded content programming stream, streaming said given programming content to said given subscriber terminal in an embedded format, wherein the content is embedded with said given programming content to be viewed streaming concurrently therewith; tracking viewing by said given subscriber of said embedded content programming stream over time; and incrementally allocating compensation credits to an account of said given subscriber as a function of said tracked viewing.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided An IPTV system for delivering streaming content over a communication network for consumption by a plurality of subscribers via respective subscriber devices, the system comprising: a plurality of set top boxes each operable to interface with a respective subscriber device; a content management interface rendered via said set top boxes on each said respective subscriber device and providing subscribers selective access to programming content over the network in either of an original programming content stream and an embedded programming content stream; a streaming server communicatively linked to said content management interface to receive a given subscriber selection from a given set top box, and stream a selected programming content thereto in a selected one of said original programming content stream and said embedded programming content stream in response thereto; an encoder embedding content with said selected programming content prior to streaming by said streaming server to said given set top box, said embedded content encoded to be viewed streaming concurrently with said selected programming content; an account management system tracking broadcast of said embedded stream to said given set top box and allocating incremental subscriber credits to said given subscriber as a function thereof.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided an Internet streaming content delivery system comprising: means for providing users selective access, via a user terminal, to programming content over an IP network in either of an original programming content stream and an embedded programming content stream; means for receiving, from a given user terminal, remote selection of given programming content in either of said original programming content stream and said embedded programming content stream; means for streaming said given programming content to said given user terminal in an embedded format in response to said remote selection being for said embedded content programming stream; means for embedding content with said given programming content to be viewed streaming concurrently therewith via said given user terminal; means for tracking said streaming in said embedded format over time to said given user terminal; and means for incrementally allocating user credits to a user of said given user terminal as a function of said tracked viewing.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium having statements and instructions stored thereon for implementation by a processor of a computing system to manage delivery of content over an Internet streaming content delivery system by: providing subscribers selective access, via a subscriber terminal, to programming content over an IP network in either of an original programming content stream and an embedded programming content stream; receiving, from a given subscriber terminal, remote selection of given programming content in either of said original programming content stream and said embedded programming content stream; in response to said remote selection being for said original programming content stream, commanding streaming of said given programming content to said given subscriber terminal in original format; in response to said remote selection being for said embedded programming stream, commanding streaming of said given programming content to said given subscriber terminal in an embedded format, wherein the content is embedded with said given programming content to be viewed streaming concurrently therewith; tracking viewing by said given subscriber of said embedded programming stream over time; and incrementally allocating compensation credits to an account of said given subscriber as a function of said tracked viewing.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided an Internet streaming content delivery system comprising: a user interface to be rendered on a user terminal in providing users selective access to programming content over an IP network in either of an original programming content stream and an embedded programming content stream; an access management server in communication with said user interface to receive, from a given user terminal, remote selection of given programming content in either of said original programming content stream and said embedded programming content stream; one or more streaming servers streaming said given programming content to said given user terminal in an embedded format in response to said remote selection being for said embedded content programming stream; one or more encoders operatively coupled to said one or more streaming servers to embed content with said given programming content to be viewed streaming concurrently therewith via said given user terminal; a view tracker to track said streaming in said embedded format over time to said given user terminal; and a user account interface to said tracker to incrementally allocate user credits to a user of said given user terminal as a function of said tracked viewing.

In accordance with one aspect, the systems and methods described herein overcome technical challenges in the provision and tracking of content viewings by users of an internet streaming content delivery system.

In accordance with another aspect, the systems and methods described herein overcome technical challenges in providing alternative and/or flexible subscriber payment methods and devices for the provision of streaming content over Internet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods described herein provide, in accordance with different embodiments, different examples in which advertising content may be delivered to IPTV and/or WebTV subscribers (commonly referred to herein as Internet streaming content delivery system, or ISCD, subscribers), to be viewed concurrently with streaming programming contents, in exchange for compensation. For example, compensation may be provided in the form of a subscription fee reduction, wherein accumulated advertisement viewing credits accumulated over a payment cycle or period are applied against a subscriber's next invoice or statement. In one such example, a subscriber may select, during a given viewing period, to receive concurrent broadcast of advertising materials with selected content, for example inset via a split-screen or picture-in-picture

(PIP) broadcast, in exchange for compensation measured, in one example, as a function of a viewing period or duration. Accordingly, subscription fees may be incrementally lowered as a function of incremental increases in overall concurrent/embedded advertising viewings. Where advertising viewing compensation exceeds a preset subscription fee, the below described methods and systems, in some embodiments, may be configured to provide an automatic payment to the subscriber in the form of cash or redeemable rewards extrinsic to the ISCD system. Alternatively, overcompensations may be allocated to overall subscription fees for packaged telecommunication services, for example where an ISCD system subscription is packaged with in-home Internet services, home phone services such as VoIP, cellular phone services (e.g. applied to a voice, data or other such cellular service package), and the like.

These and other applications will be described in greater detail below, in a non-restrictive manner, with reference to the below description of exemplary embodiments.

With reference now toFIG. 1, and in accordance with one embodiment, an example of an ISCD system100will now be described. The system100generally comprises a broadcast management system or module102, a subscriber management system or module104, and an advertising management system or module106. The broadcast management system102is generally configured to receive as input streaming content108sourced, for example, from an external content provider. As will be discussed with reference toFIG. 2, streaming content may be received via a satellite downlink or a fiber optic link from an external live content provider, or again from a local or external content repository in providing access to stored content.

The streaming content108is fed to a set of encoders110(e.g. encoding engines and/or servers, etc.) configured to encode respective channels or subchannels of the streaming content108into a selected format appropriate for delivery over an Internet Protocol (IP) network112, such as Internet. In this embodiment, and as will be described in greater detail below, each programming content stream is independently encoded both as an original format or full screen programming content stream (e.g. encoder110A), and as one or more embedded advertisement format (e.g. ad-split or nested screen) programming content streams (e.g. encoder110B). Accordingly, a subscriber may select to view the original/full screen version of the selected programming contents, or select to view an ad-split or nested screen version thereof in return for incremental compensation, such as incremental credits applied to their account (e.g. based on ad viewing time and associated rates).

Each encoded content stream is then fed to one or more streaming servers114to be broadcast to respective subscriber terminals116over the IP network112. In one embodiment, as will be described in greater detail below, respective original and embedded content streams118,136are provided via unicast broadcasting in pushing a dedicated content stream to each active subscriber via a respective subscriber IP address, which also facilitates real-time viewership tracking given the one-to-one nature of unicast broadcasting. In such embodiments, up to four thousand viewers can be serviced by a single streaming server114. In another embodiment, multicast broadcasting may be employed, whereby multiple copies of a same content stream are indiscriminately made accessible to a group of subscribers via a common TCP/IP port. In multicast embodiments, a single streaming server may advantageously service up to twenty thousand viewers, however, at least part of the viewership tracking function must be transferred to the subscriber terminal116, for example via an application running thereon or operated in association therewith.

Examples of subscriber terminals116may include, but are not limited to, traditional television sets119having an associated IPTV STB120, IPTV-compliant television sets (not shown), smartphones122such as iPhone™, Blackberry™ or Android™ devices, laptops124or traditional desktop computers, tablets (not shown) and the like.

The system's advertising management system or module106generally comprises an advertiser interface126, such as a Web interface, to provide advertisers access via respective advertiser terminals128(e.g. web-enabled computing device such as laptop or desktop computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.), to an advertising management platform in which advertising placements and timeslots can be purchased, and accounts associated therewith, managed. For example, an advertiser may access the system106via interface126to upload advertising contents for storage in advertising content database130, and select advertising targets (e.g. timeslots, channels, demographics, etc.) to be associated therewith. The interface126further enables advertisers to manage their accounts, for example stored within accounts management database132, with the broadcaster. For instance, funds may be transferred electronically via the interface126so to set an initial advertising campaign budget or replenish funds to be allocated to the broadcaster for specific ad placements and/or subscriber views over a dedicated time period.

The ad contents and targets can then be managed through a programming content stream allocation engine134in associating specific ad contents with selected programming streams based on identified targets, and/or based on one or more competitive advertisement placement processes whereby different advertisers compete for coveted advertisement placements. Upon allocation with respective content streams by engine134, ad contents (e.g. static images, text and/or frames in .jpg or .gif formats) are fed through corresponding encoders110(e.g. encoder110B) concurrently with their allocated stream to be embedded therein, for example, in the form of ad banners, ribbons, tabs, picture-in-picture (PIP), watermarks, or the like. In one example, selected ad content is provided in the form of an image, and sequentially embedded within multiple programming content frames to provide a static ribbon or banner partially circumscribing each frame for a preset ad duration (e.g. 6 seconds) or throughout a given program. Other embedding examples will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art, and are therefore intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Ads-free streams on the other hand, are processed independently (e.g. via encoder110A) and are thus devoid of embedded ad contents, as introduced above and as will be discussed in greater detail below.

In one embodiment, each encoder consists of an open source encoding engine/server, such as VLC (VideoLAN Organization), that merges a selected content stream with its allocated ad content in generating an embedded stream136for broadcast. Using this approach, the embedded stream cannot be readily separated or altered by the subscriber, thus ensuring ad contents are displayed as originally intended during the encoding process. In one such example, each encoder provides h.264 encoding over an mpeg4 carrier, thought it will be appreciated that other standards, such as mpeg2 and the like, may also be considered without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure. Different stream allocation techniques for allocating ad contents to different content channels based on content, demographics and/or geography, to name a few, will be described further below with reference toFIG. 2.

The subscriber management system or module104comprises a subscriber/content management interface138, such as for example, a Web interface accessible through a standard Web browser (WebTV), or again a dedicated IPTV or WebTV interface rendered via an IPTV STB120or dedicated ISCD application running on other types of subscriber terminals116. The subscriber interface138is configured to confirm the subscription status of the user (e.g. automatically and/or via a standard login process) with a database of subscriber accounts140, receive selection of desired programming content from active subscribers, and communicate this selection to the streaming server(s)114, which, in this embodiment (unicast broadcasting), routes selected contents to the subscribers' respective IP addresses for viewing. Subscriber content selections can be tracked via the subscriber interface138and/or streaming server(s)114, and embedded ads thereby viewed by the subscriber illustratively tracked by tracker142. Namely, by tracking the particular content stream viewed by the subscriber over time, the tracker142, in one embodiment consisting of a call video recorder (CVR) or the like, can not only monitor advertising fees to be drawn from the advertisers' accounts132based on actual viewership, but also track ad views by the subscriber to apply a corresponding credit to the subscriber's account140. For example, a subscriber ad view credit rate (e.g. amount per hour or 10 minute slice) may be associated with each ad placement (e.g. based on a preset percentage of an adverting fee rate, or a preset rate) such that, as the subscriber views a selected advertisement-enhanced content stream over time, ad-viewing credits are incrementally applied to their account in accordance with the prescribed credit rate associated with this stream. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, while the application of a view tracker is not as readily achievable at the head end for multicast broadcasting, a dedicated ISCD application or STB function may be configured to periodically report back viewership data to the subscriber management system (e.g. every few minutes) in providing similar results.

Referring now toFIG. 2, and in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the invention, an exemplary broadcasting management head end system, and advertisement content stream allocation mechanism associated therewith, will now be described. In this embodiment, the management head end system202is again generally configured to receive as input streaming content208sourced, for example, from an external content provider. For example, content208may be received and managed by a streaming content management server209, and sourced from a satellite downlink250(e.g. form a broadcasting station or channel), over the Web252, or again from a local or remote storage device254(e.g. stored content, such as video-on-demand (VoD) content).

The streaming content208is fed to a set of encoders210(e.g. encoding engines and/or servers, etc.) configured to encode respective channels or subchannels of the streaming content208into a selected format appropriate for delivery over an Internet Protocol (IP) network212, such as Internet. As introduced above, each programming content stream or channel is independently encoded both as an original format or full screen programming stream (e.g. streams CH1F, CH2F and CH3F respectively produced via encoders CH1, FULL; CH2, FULL; and CH3, FULL), and as one or more embedded advertisement (e.g. ad-split) streams (e.g. streams CH1R1; CH1R2; CH2A; CH3D1; CH3D2respectively produced via encoders CH1, REGION1; CH1, REGION2; CH2, ALL; CH3, DEMOG.1; CH3, DEMOG.2). Accordingly, a subscriber may select to view the full screen version of the selected programming contents, or select to view an ad-split screen version thereof in return for incremental compensation credits to be applied to their account as a function of incremental ad viewing time and an ad viewing credit rate associate therewith.

In this example, different ad-split streams are generated as a function of selected streaming channels, subscriber geography and demographics. For example, advertisers in this embodiment, upon uploading ad contents to the ad content database230, also set advertising targets (e.g. in the context of a customized advertising campaign) to be managed by a stream allocation engine234in embedding ad contents to appropriate content streams. In this particular example, ad content260is allocated to the channel1stream for subscribers located in region1and thus fed to encoder CH1, REGION1to produce embedded content stream CH1R1, whereas ad content262is allocated to the channel1stream for subscribers located in region2and thus fed to encoder CH1, REGION2to produce embedded content stream CH1R2. Similarly, ad content264is allocated to the channel2stream for all subscribers and thus fed to encoder CH2, ALL to produce embedded content stream CH2A, and also allocated to the channel3stream for subscribers satisfying a first set of demographic criteria only, i.e. fed to encoder CH3, DEMOG.1to produce embedded content stream CH3D1. Finally, ad content266is allocated to the channel3stream for subscribers satisfying a second set of demographic criteria (or again for all “other” demographics) and fed to encoder CH3, DEMOG.2to produce embedded content stream CH3D2.

Each encoded full screen and ad-split stream is then fed to one or more streaming servers214for broadcast over IP network212. Depending on the subscriber's location (e.g. accessed via the subscriber's IP address and/or account settings), demographics (e.g. accessed via the subscriber's account settings, history and/or viewing habits), and content selection, targeted advertising may be delivered thereto via an embedded stream, generating both advertising revenue for the broadcaster and incremental subscription credits for the subscriber, and providing a targeted reach for advertisers.

As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 2is provided as an example only, as other ad content allocation and encoding techniques may also be applied to achieve similar results. Namely, the different examples shown inFIG. 2are provided for illustrative purposes only, and should not be considered as limiting to the diversity of encoding and allocation schemes available within the present context.

Referring now toFIGS. 3A and 3B, and in accordance with one embodiment, a process flow diagram for operating exemplary embodiments of the systems ofFIGS. 1 and 2, will now be described. In this embodiment, interactions between the advertiser terminal328, advertisement management system306, broadcast management system302, subscriber management system304and subscriber terminal316are presented in one illustrative sequence, though it will be appreciated that other sequences, as can other features and functions be considered without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure. Further, while certain actions and functions are generically associated with different components of the system in the illustrated embodiment, these or similar functions may be implemented by other components of the system, or shared therebetween in providing similar results. These and other such considerations are therefor considered to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, the advertiser terminal328requests access to the advertisement management system306at step310, which performs advertiser authentication at step312(which may include the generation of a new account and/or authentication of an existing account). Upon authentication, the advertiser terminal328, in this example, is first directed to an advertiser account interface at step314, though which a funds transfer to the broadcaster can be coordinated at step318and executed at step320to support a new or ongoing advertising campaign. In other embodiments, the account interface may alternatively be accessed only once the campaign has been designed and an appropriate advertising fee has been set, or again available as an option throughout the campaign design process.

Once the funds transfer has been confirmed at step322, the advertiser is provided access to an advertisement (i.e. ad campaign) management interface324. Using this interface, the advertiser may select and upload ad contents and targets at step326in defining a particular ad campaign to be implemented by the broadcaster with its subscribers. Contents (e.g. images, frames, watermarks, symbols, logos, text, etc.) and target inputs (e.g. demographics, programming contents, geographic settings such as postal/zip/area codes, etc.) are uploaded to the system306at step330to update the ad content database and configure the channel allocation engine at step332to implement the newly created or updated ad campaign.

From the perspective now of the subscriber using subscriber terminal316, the subscriber requests access at step334to the subscriber management system304(e.g. via stored or input login credentials, or again automatically via activation of a client application interface), which confirms subscription credentials (e.g. username and password, client IP address, client device ID, etc.) at step336, and allows the subscriber access at step338to a ISCD interface. Using this interface, the subscriber may select particular programming content (e.g. select particular channel, item from a programming schedule or grid, stored VoD programming, etc.) at step340, which selection also confirms whether such programming content is to be viewed in full screen format, or in an ad-split-screen format in exchange for subscription fee credits.

The content selection is communicated to the broadcast management system302at step342(directly or via subscriber management system304), and the selected programming content accessed accordingly at step344for broadcast. In the event that the subscriber selection is directed to the full screen format of the content (e.g. where a paid-to-view option is not selected), the full screen stream of the selected content is accessed at step346by the broadcast system302and streamed at step348to the subscriber terminal316, from which the content can be viewed at step352. Optionally, content viewing by the subscriber can be concurrently tracked (e.g. in real-time) at step350(e.g. for billing or reporting purposes, etc.).

On the other hand, where a paid-to-view option has been selected by the subscriber, the process proceeds through connectors (A) ofFIGS. 3A and 3B, whereby the broadcasting system302proceeds to access the selected programming stream at step354, and concurrently access relevant ad content from the allocation engine to produce the selected embedded split-screen content stream. To do so, the particular content stream is identified to the ad management system306(or stream allocation engine thereof) at step356, optionally along with geographic and/or demographic information relevant to ad content selection, from which corresponding ad content is identified and allocated to the identified stream at step358. The allocated ad content is fed to a corresponding encoder of the broadcast management system302at step360, and embedded within the selected programming stream during encoding step362. The ad-split content is then streamed to the subscriber terminal316at step364for viewing. While the above contemplates an on-demand encoding process, the system may rather automatically encode the whole set of available original format and embedded format content streams irrespective of demand, and stream appropriate contents to subscribers upon selection. This may be particularly relevant where encoding engines or servers are designated for subscribers in certain geographical areas and/or satisfying certain demographics, and can therefore be operated irrespective of demand for the ready upon subscriber selection.

At step368, ad viewing is tracked (e.g. via a video call recorder) as concurrent subscription fee credits are incrementally accumulated in favor of the subscriber. When the subscriber ceases to view the ad-split content at step370, or again upon the subscriber making another ad-view content selection, accumulated credits are applied to the subscriber's account at step372, and made accessible to the subscriber at step374for viewing at step376. Alternatively, ad-view credits may be applied in real-time while viewing in ongoing.

In parallel, ad viewing times (and optionally viewership demographics and/or geography) are reported to the ad management system306at step378, which report is used to update the advertiser's accounts at step380and draw funds therefrom accordingly as ad revenues to the broadcaster. The advertiser is updated periodically or in real-time at step382, for example in the form of an advertising campaign results summary, at which point additional funds may be requested to supplement an ongoing campaign, or in the formation of a new campaign. The advertiser receives the update and/or fund request at step384, and repeats the process from step318.

Using the above-described process and alternatives thereto, subscribers are provided direct access to programming content with the option of viewing such programing content in a full screen or ad-split-screen format. Where a full screen format is selected, viewing permissions and subscription fees associated therewith are applied as per the subscriber's original service contract agreement. On the other hand, where a subscriber selects to view the same content with embedded advertising concurrently displayed therewith during the regular course of the streaming programming content, subscription fee credits may be incrementally accumulated and applied to the subscriber's account, or again paid back directly to the subscriber. Where the ISCD system is provided to the subscriber in the context of a multiple service subscription package (e.g. in combination with Internet (DSL/cable) access, telephone services (e.g. V0IP), etc.), subscription credits may be applied to the subscription package as a whole, thereby effectively allowing subscribers to save on the associated services by watching more concurrent embedded ad content with their selected programming content.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bprovide comparative exemplary screen shots as viewed by a subscriber, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. InFIG. 4A, the subscriber has selected a full screen format, and is thus provided with streaming contents in full screen (i.e. without adds), in accordance with the terms of his subscription agreement. InFIG. 4B, the subscriber has selected to view embedded ad content concurrently with regular programming content, in the form of banner or ribbon ads. In this example, the programming content is streamed unobstructed in one frame, with a fixed advertisement ribbon and rolling advertisement banner embedded in adjacent frames. Given the embedded nature of this advertising campaign, a subscriber may not readily alter his viewing experience to block or otherwise extract the ad content, and is thus committed to viewing the ad content.

An ad viewing credit rate is also displayed embedded within the stream as an indication to the subscriber as to the rate at which subscription credits may be accumulated for this particular content selection. Accordingly, a subscriber may decide that, for certain content selections, ad viewing credits are not particularly beneficial and switch back to a full screen format. This subscriber could nonetheless receive credit for the time spent watching the ad-split format even if the entire programming content was not viewed in that format. Similarly, a subscriber may choose to view high-return ad-split programming in offsetting heavy subscription fees. Along those lines, advertisers may be inclined to increase ad spending to attract a larger viewership.

Furthermore, as discussed above, using geographic and/or demographic data to target ad placements, subscribers may be subject to more relevant ad placements, while advertisers may gain access to a more relevant subscriber pool. For example, local advertising may be more readily applied to national broadcasts, whereby each local advertiser may commit to a reduced advertising fee in exchange for limited local viewership.

In one embodiment, subscriber selection as to the viewing of embedded ad contents is made centrally via a dedicated switch (e.g. software/firmware selection on the subscriber interface). In other embodiments, the broadcasting system may be preconfigured to provide programming on distinct streaming channel sets, wherein a first set of channels is designated for full screen or original format viewing, whereas a second corresponding set of channels is designated for split screen viewing. For example, all programming streaming on channel107could be designated for full screen viewing, whereas programming streaming on channel507could be designated for split-screen or embedded advertising viewing. Accordingly, a subscriber need only select between channel sets to make a selection as to whether they wish to watch embedded add contents and receive accumulating credits, or if they would rather watch the full screen version of selected programming. Similarly, since channels for the same programming content are recognizably associated with one another, selection of one or the other is facilitated when seeking a specific counterpart to a given channel selection. In the same vein, a subscriber could selectively switch between streams mid-program or between programs, while still receiving corresponding credits for time when tuned into the split screen stream.

In one embodiment, the system is also configured to probe the viewer during programming and/or track user activity to ensure programming, and embedded advertising, is being watched and not simply left to stream unattended in accumulating subscription credits. This may be implemented by tracking subscriber actions via a remote control, peripheral or touch screen interface of the subscriber terminal, or again periodically probing for subscriber action to confirm viewership. Such actions may also be automatically processed to discriminate between human actions and those more likely associated with an automated engine run to mimic subscriber actions and thus tamper with the ad view benefits system.

While the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is not so limited. To the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the general scope of the present disclosure.