SERVER-SIDE BLACKOUT ENFORCEMENT

摘要

Some embodiments provide server-side implementation and enforcement of blackout rules for streaming content. A server receives a request from an end user device and extracts a first identifier identifying the end user device and a second identifier identifying the requested stream from the request. The server determines if blackout rules identified for the requested streaming content using the second identifier apply to the end user device based on the first identifier. The blackout rules may restrict IP addresses, IP address subnets, or geographic regions defined using zip codes or DMAs. The first identifier can be an IP address that directly or indirectly maps to the blackout rules. If the first identifier is restricted by a blackout rule, the server identifies the restrictions of the rule, when they apply, and how they are to be applied before dynamically altering the content that is streamed to the end user device.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving from an end user device, a request for a particular content stream at a particular server; extracting from the request at the particular server, a first identifier identifying said end user device and a second identifier identifying the particular content stream; obtaining using the second identifier at the particular server, a configuration defined by a content provider of said particular content stream, the configuration comprising at least one blackout rule restricting viewership of said particular content stream to specific geographic regions and a schedule defining a start time and an end time for enforcing the at least one blackout rule; passing from the particular server to the end user device in response to said request an intermixing of (i) segments of the particular content stream as a result of said first identifier not being subject to the at least one blackout rule of the configuration and said passing occurring outside the start time and end time of said schedule of the configuration, and (ii) alternate content instead of segments of said particular content stream as a result of said first identifier being restricted by the at least one blackout rule of the configuration and said passing occurring within the start time and the end time.