In-stream controls for national video distribution
Systems and methods are described for delivering regional content for a lineup over a national network. A content provider may select a particular regional broadcast for inclusion in a regional service lineup. The content provider may be able to broadcast multiple, or even all, services nationally. At regional distribution centers, a multiplexer may select only those services that are desired for the region in response to in-stream signals. In some instances, a single region-specific version of a given service may be selected from multiple versions broadcasted nationally. The regional lineup, including the selected services, can then be multiplexed and transmitted to customers throughout the region.
1. A method comprising:
receiving a plurality of video feeds;
receiving regional assignment information, wherein a piece of regional assignment information associates a first video feed of the plurality of video feeds with a region;
inserting a command into a second video feed of the plurality of video feeds, wherein:
the command identifies the first video feed to replace the second video feed for the region; and
the command comprises a region code corresponding to the region; and
transmitting the first video feed and the second video feed, wherein the second video feed comprises the command.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the regional assignment information is received via an event signaling and messaging instruction.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the command into the second video comprises inserting a society of cable telecommunications engineers (SCTE) 35 protocol command.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the region code for the region using a lookup table and the received regional assignment information.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first video feed and the second video feed are transmitted to a multiplexer associated with the region.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the received plurality of video feeds comprise at least one primary feed and at least one alternate feed.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising, combining a primary feed with an alternate feed.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving the first video feed and the second video feed at a multiplexer in the region; and
automatically displaying the first video feed in response to the command.
9. An apparatus comprising:
one or more processors; and
memory storing computer-readable instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:
receive a plurality of video feeds;
receive regional assignment information, wherein a piece of regional assignment information associates a first video feed of the plurality of video feeds with a region;
insert a command into a second video feed of the plurality of video feeds, wherein the command identifies the first video feed to replace the second video feed for the region; and
transmit the first video feed and the second video feed to a multiplexer associated with the region, wherein the second video feed comprises the command.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus receives the regional assignment information via an event signaling and messaging instruction.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus if further caused, when inserting the command into the second video, to insert a society of cable telecommunications engineers (SCTE) 35 protocol command.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the command comprises a region code corresponding to the region.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to generate the region code for the region using a lookup table and the received regional assignment information.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of video feeds comprise at least one primary feed and at least one alternate feed.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to combine a primary feed with an alternate feed.
16. A method comprising:
receiving a plurality of video feeds;
receiving regional assignment information, wherein:
a piece of regional assignment information associates a first video feed of the plurality of video feeds with a region; and
the regional assignment information is received via an event signaling and messaging instruction;
inserting a command into a second video feed of the plurality of video feeds, wherein the command identifies the first video feed to replace the second video feed for the region; and
transmitting the first video feed and the second video feed, wherein the second video feed comprises the command.