Content item receiver module and method

A content item receiver module operative for a content item distribution system, configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode:

• said first mode operative to drive a display apparatus to display a received content item;
• said second mode operative for a specified time window to drive said display apparatus to display a sequence of linked content items and to respond to user input to initiate transition from display of a currently displayed linked content item to display of another linked content item in said sequence of linked content items prior to an end of said currently displayed linked content item, wherein each of said linked content items has a duration less than said specified time window and said sequence of linked content items has a duration greater than said specified time window;
• second mode further configured to initiate transition to another linked content item responsive to the combined duration of remaining linked content items in said sequence being less than the remaining duration of said specified time window;
• and
• further configured to display a still image, and sponsored countdown timer, representative of said another linked content item for a remaining duration of said specified time window being equal to or less than a threshold time.