Stream messaging for program stream automation

A system configured to broadcast a linear TV program stream via a cable or a satellite network, the system comprising:

• a processor, wherein concurrently with the broadcasting of the linear TV program stream by the system via the cable or the satellite network, the processor is configured to:
• provision the linear TV program stream for streaming over a packet network;
• generate a command sequence;
• dynamically insert the command sequence into the provisioned linear TV program stream;
• and
• provide the provisioned linear TV program stream including the inserted command sequence over the packet network to a third party;
• wherein the inserted command sequence authorizes the third party to remove at least one of an advertising content, a promotional content and a program content from the provisioned linear TV program stream, and replace the at least one of the advertising content, the promotional content and the program content with a replacement content provided by the third party to generate a modified program stream for streaming over the packet network for individually targeted distribution;
• wherein the inserted command sequence directs a return to the provisioned linear TV program stream during a playout of the replacement content and prior to completion of the playout of the replacement content.