Apparatus and method for selective insertion and pricing of media data into a media data stream

An apparatus for selective insertion of media items into a media stream to be transmitted over a media-on-demand network connecting a service provider to one or more subscribers, comprising:

• means for a service provider to obtain from a subscriber preferences regarding amount and content of media items to be inserted into a media stream;
• means for obtaining a subscriber's demographic profile;
• means for analyzing the subscriber's demographic profile to determine the subscriber's preferences regarding amount and content of items to be inserted into the media stream;
• means for determining positions in the media stream where items may be inserted;
• and
• means for selectively inserting media items into a media stream to be transmitted by the service provider;
• whereby the service provider utilizes the subscriber's preferences to selectively insert media items into the media stream being transmitted from the service provider to the subscriber, at positions in the media stream determined by the position determination means;

A method for selectively inserting media items into a media stream transmitted from a service provider to a subscriber in a media-on-demand network, comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a subscriber's preferences regarding amount and content of media items to be inserted into the media stream;
• determining positions in the media stream where media items may be inserted;
• and
• selectively inserting media items into a media stream to be transmitted by the service provider to the subscriber.

A method for pricing advertising in a media-on-demand network, said method comprising the steps of:

• delivering by a media-on-demand service provider one or more advertisements provided by an advertiser to a subscriber as part of a media stream delivered to said subscriber;
• monitoring by the service provider the delivery frequency of the one or more advertisements delivered to said user;
• storing said one or more delivery frequencies in a database maintained by the service provider;
• accessing the advertisement delivery frequency database by the advertiser;
• changing an advertisement price by the individual advertiser to alter the advertisement delivery frequency;
• comparing the modified advertisement prices of the individual advertisements;
• and
• ordering the one or more advertisements to be delivered to the subscriber based upon the highest advertisement price.