Media system analysis and control

2:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the output events each have a corresponding end time, the method including, for output events within a segment having a duration above the corresponding long duration threshold, modifying the corresponding end times so that the corresponding durations fall at or below the corresponding long duration threshold.

3:

• The method of claim 2, wherein the end times are modified according to the end times of other output events within the same segment having durations below the threshold duration.

4:

• The method of claim 3, wherein the modified end times are selected randomly or pseudo-randomly according to the distribution of the durations of the other output events having durations below the long duration threshold.

5:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the properties of the output events include one or more of:
• whether the output events are live or playback, time and/or day of output, receiver type, channel type and genre.

6:

• The method of claim 1, wherein for output events ended by the corresponding receiver automatically terminating output, the end times are modified so as that the corresponding durations fall at or below the corresponding long duration threshold.

7:

• The method of claim 1, including, prior to identifying the long duration threshold for each segment, removing or cancelling output events having a short duration not corresponding to normal viewing.

8:

• The method of claim 1, including sending the long duration thresholds to at least some of the receivers so as to control the subsequent operation thereof.

9:

• The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the receivers that receives the long duration thresholds determines the duration and segment of a current media output event at the respective receiver, compare the duration of the current media output event with a corresponding long duration threshold, and modify the current media output event according to the comparison.

10:

• The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one receiver performs local media insertion within the current media output event, and inhibits local media insertion if the duration of the current media output event exceeds the corresponding long duration threshold.

11:

• The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the receivers that receives the long duration thresholds prompts the user to confirm that the current media output event is being watched, if the duration of the current media output event exceeds the corresponding long duration threshold.

12:

• The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the receivers that receives the long duration thresholds goes into standby mode if the duration of the current media output event exceeds the corresponding long duration threshold.

13:

• The method of claim 8, wherein one or more of the receivers modifies the received long duration thresholds according to local data.

14:

• A computer program product comprising program code arranged to perform the method of claim 1 when executed on a suitable configured processor or processors.