System and method for channel change detection and overlay detection for a broadcast output

A method to control switching between a first buffer configured to provide a first content stream to a video display and a second buffer configured to provide an advertisement to the video display, such method comprising using at least one hardware processor to:

• while the first buffer is providing the first content stream to the video display, decode a watermark within the first content stream to retrieve an identifier of the first content stream;
• acquire an insertion point of the first content stream using the identifier;
• for a prescribed time range prior to the insertion point being reached in the first content stream, pre-buffer the advertisement in the second buffer;
• and
• for the insertion point being reached in the first content stream,
• monitor the first content stream for a presence of a first channel change user interface within the first content stream,
• if the presence of the first channel change user interface is detected, prevent switching from the first buffer to the second buffer, and
• if the presence of the first channel change user interface is not detected, switch from the first buffer to the second buffer such that the advertisement is provided to the video display,
• wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to:
• while the second buffer is providing the advertisement to the video display,
• monitor the first content stream for a channel change and for a presence of a second channel change user interface;
• if the channel change or the presence of the second channel change user interface is detected prior to the advertisement reaching an end point, switch from the second buffer to the first buffer such that the first content stream is provided to the video display;
• and
• if neither the channel change nor the presence of the second channel change user interface is detected prior to the advertisement reaching an end point, switch from the second buffer to the first buffer when the advertisement reaches an end point such that the first content stream is provided to the video display.