Digital media content distribution

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method for providing media content, the method comprising:

• receiving directly from a subscriber device a request to stream media content independent from the subscriber device directly to an apparatus located proximally to the subscriber device, the request including a performance key;
• performing a validation procedure to verify that the subscriber device is proximally disposed to the proximally located apparatus, wherein performing the validation procedure comprises periodically transmitting a challenge to the proximally located apparatus, wherein the challenge requires the proximally located apparatus to request a response from the subscriber device using a short range communication;
• and
• solely in response to the request received directly from the subscriber device, streaming the media content directly to the proximally located apparatus without additionally receiving the request from the proximally located apparatus.

An apparatus for providing media content, the apparatus comprising:

• a communication interface configured to:
• receive directly from a subscriber device a request to stream media content independent from the subscriber device directly to an apparatus located proximally to the subscriber device, the request including a performance key,
• perform a validation procedure to verify that the subscriber device is proximally disposed to the proximally located apparatus, wherein performing the validation procedure comprises periodically transmitting a challenge to the proximally located apparatus, wherein the challenge requires the proximally located apparatus to request a response from the subscriber device using a short range communication;
• and
• solely in response to the request received directly from the subscriber device, stream the media content directly to the proximally located apparatus without additionally receiving the request from the proximally located apparatus.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method for providing media content, the method comprising:

• transmitting a request from a subscriber device directly to a server to stream media content independent from the subscriber device directly to an apparatus proximally located to the subscriber device, the request including a performance key, wherein the server streams the media content solely in response to the request transmitted directly to the server;
• receiving a portion of the media content from the proximally located apparatus using a short range communication;
• decrypting the portion of the media content;
• and
• transmitting the decrypted portion of the media content to the proximally located apparatus.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method for rendering media content, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a media device, streaming of media content directly from a server, the media content being streamed solely in response to a request received by the server directly from a subscriber device without the media device additionally transmitting the request to the server, the subscriber device being proximally located to the media device, and the request including a performance key of the media content;
• receiving periodic challenges from the server;
• in response to the periodic challenges, verifying that the subscriber device remains proximally disposed to the media device;
• and
• rendering the received media content.

An apparatus for rendering media content, the apparatus comprising:

• a communication interface configured to:
• receive streaming of media content directly from a server, the media content being streamed solely in response to a request received by the server directly from a subscriber device without the communication interface additionally transmitting the request to the server, the subscriber device being proximally located to the apparatus, and the request including a performance key of the media content,
• receive periodic challenges from the server, and
• in response to the periodic challenges, verify that the subscriber device remains proximally disposed to the apparatus;
• and
• a user interface configured to render the received media content.