Processing workflow for recommending media programs

摘要

A processing workflow method, system, and computer program product provide the ability; to recommend alternative programming during playback of a source media program. A media program player plays the source media program to a first viewer and provides information regarding the first viewer to a recommendation engine. The recommendation engine calculates and sends the media player a list of recommended media program candidates (including identifications of the candidates) based on the information. Prior to reaching an advertising break in the source media program, the media player transmits a request (including the identifications) for an advertisement to an advertising server and in response, receives an advertisement that is played to the first viewer during the advertising break.

主权项

1. A processing workflow method for recommending alternative programming during playback of a source media program having a plurality of advertising breaks to a first viewer, comprising a media program player performing:
(a) playing the source media program to the first viewer; (b) calling a recommendation engine associated with a media program provider; (c) providing information regarding the first viewer to the recommendation engine; (d) receiving a list of one or more recommended media program candidates from the recommendation engine, wherein:
(1) the one or more recommended media program candidates are determined from a plurality of media programs that are offered by the media program provider and the information regarding the first viewer; and(2) the list comprises a recommended media program identification for each of the one or more recommended media program candidates; (e) prior to reaching an advertising break in the source media program that is playing, transmitting a request for an advertisement to an advertising server, wherein the request includes the one or more recommended media program identifications, and wherein the advertising server determines one or more eligible advertisements in which the media program provider receives payment from an advertiser for the request and dynamically selects between the one of the one or more recommended media program identifications and the one or more eligible advertisements determined by the advertising server to determine the advertisement to provide based on a priority assigned to the one or more recommended media program identifications and the one or more eligible advertisements based on expected revenue, wherein expected revenue for the one or more eligible advertisements is based on payment received from the advertiser and expected revenue for the one or more recommended media program identifications is based on advertisements served if the first viewer watches one of the one or more recommended media program candidates; (f) in response to the request, receiving, from the advertising server, the advertisement; and (g) during the advertising break, playing the advertisement.