System and methods for automatically obtaining cost-efficient access to a media content collection

A system for receiving access to a media content collection, the system comprising control circuitry configured to:

• receive a user selection of a media content collection that includes a plurality of media assets;
• retrieve a first data structure from a provider of the media content collection;
• process the first data structure to determine a first price for receiving access to the media content collection from the provider using a single transaction;
• store the first price and data identifying the provider in a second data structure;
• for each of the plurality of media assets in the media content collection:
• identify a plurality of providers of the media asset;
• determine a price for receiving access to the media asset from each of the plurality of providers;
• and
• store a lowest of the determined prices and data identifying the provider associated with the lowest price in a third data structure;
• accumulate the lowest prices stored in the third data structure to compute a second price for receiving access to the media content collection using multiple transactions;
• compare the second price with the first price;
• and
• use, based on the comparison, one of the first data structure and the second data structure to receive access to the media content collection.