Modifying playback of replacement content responsive to detection of remote control signals that modify operation of the playback device

1. A method comprising:

determining, by a playback device, that a remote control transmitted to the playback device an instruction configured to cause a modification to operation of the playback device while the playback device displays replacement media content;

determining, by the playback device using correlation data that maps instructions to overlays and respective regions within a display of the playback device, an overlay that the playback device is configured to provide for display in conjunction with the modification and a corresponding region within the display of the playback device at which the playback device is configured to provide the overlay for display; and

modifying, by the playback device, a transparency of the region such that the overlay is visible through the replacement media content when the playback device provides the overlay for display.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the transparency of the region comprises modifying the transparency of the region responsive to determining that the remote control transmitted the instruction.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instruction comprises an instruction configured to cause a modification to playback of the replacement media content.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the instruction comprises a volume adjustment, and wherein the overlay comprises a volume-adjustment graphic.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the instruction comprises a playback-speed adjustment, and wherein the overlay comprises a playback-speed graphic.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising adjusting a playback speed at which the replacement media content is provided responsive to determining that the remote control transmitted the instruction.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instruction comprises a request to access a channel-selection guide, and wherein the overlay comprises the channel-selection guide.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

receiving a selection of a new channel; and

responsive to receiving the selection of the new channel, carrying out a channel-change operation.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein carrying out the channel-change operation comprises switching from providing the replacement media content for display to providing media content that is received by way of an over-the-air antenna for display.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the switching includes causing the replacement media content to fade to black and causing the media content received by way of the over-the-air antenna to fade in from black.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the transparency of the region comprises applying an opacity mask to the region.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the playback device comprises a television.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the replacement media content is an advertisement.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions that upon execution by a processor, cause performance of a set of acts comprising:

determining that a remote control transmitted to a playback device an instruction configured to cause a modification to operation of the playback device while the playback device displays replacement media content;

determining, using correlation data that maps instructions to overlays and respective regions within a display of the playback device, an overlay that the playback device is configured to provide for display in conjunction with the modification and a corresponding region within the display of the playback device at which the playback device is configured to provide the overlay for display; and

modifying a transparency of the region such that the overlay is visible through the replacement media content when the playback device provides the overlay for display.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the instruction comprises an instruction configured to cause a modification to playback of the replacement media content.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instruction comprises a volume adjustment, and wherein the overlay comprises a volume-adjustment graphic.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instruction comprises a playback-speed adjustment, and wherein the overlay comprises a playback-speed graphic.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , further comprising adjusting a playback speed at which the replacement media content is provided responsive to determining that the remote control transmitted the instruction.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the instruction comprises a request to access a channel-selection guide, and wherein the overlay comprises the channel-selection guide.

20. A computing system comprising:

one or more processors; and

a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored therein instructions that are executable to cause the computing system to perform a set of acts comprising:

determining that a remote control transmitted to a playback device an instruction configured to cause a modification to operation of the playback device while the playback device displays replacement media content,

determining, using correlation data that maps instructions to overlays and respective regions within a display of the playback device, an overlay that the playback device is configured to provide for display in conjunction with the modification and a corresponding region within the display of the playback device at which the playback device is configured to provide the overlay for display, and

modifying a transparency of the region such that the overlay is visible through the replacement media content when the playback device provides the overlay for display.