Apparatus, systems and methods for transmitting media content events

A method for receiving media content events at a media device, the method comprising:

• communicating a request to a media content distribution center for a media content event of interest, wherein the media content event of interest is defined by a serial ordered plurality of portions that begins with a first portion and is followed by a second portion;
• receiving a plurality of first media content streams in response to the communicated request with a concluding portion of the media content event of interest that are concurrently transmitted to a plurality of media devices,
• wherein the concluding portion begins with the second portion of the plurality of portions of the media content event of interest,
• wherein the second portion is followed by remaining portions of the media content event of interest,
• wherein the concluding portion of each of the plurality of first media content streams are broadcast offset in time from each other by a duration that includes at least the second portion of the media content event of interest;
• receiving information in response to the communicated request, wherein the information identifies one of the concurrently broadcast plurality of first media content streams, and wherein the identified one of the concurrently broadcast plurality of first media content streams is currently broadcasting the second portion of the media content event of interest;
• and
• receiving a second media content stream containing an initial portion of the media content event of interest, wherein the initial portion includes the first portion and the second portion of the media content event of interest.

A media device comprising:

• a communication network interface communicatively coupled to the media device with at least one media content distribution center;
• a memory medium that stores at least a concluding portion of a received media content event that is included in an identified one of a plurality of concurrently broadcast media content streams of a media content event of interest,
• wherein the media content event of interest is defined by a serial ordered plurality of portions that begins with a first portion and is followed by a second portion,
• wherein each of the plurality of concurrently broadcast media content streams include a concluding portion of the media content event of interest,
• wherein the concluding portion begins with the second portion of the plurality of portions of the media content event of interest,
• wherein the second portion is followed by remaining portions of the media content event of interest, and
• wherein the concluding portion of each of the plurality of concurrently broadcast media content streams are broadcast offset in time from each other by a duration that includes at least the second portion of the media content event of interest;
• a processor system communicatively coupled to the communication network interface and the memory medium, wherein the processor system is operable to:
• generate a request that is communicated to a media content distribution center for the media content event of interest;
• receive an instruction in response to the communicated request, wherein the instruction identifies a first one of the concurrently broadcast media content streams to select, and wherein the identified one of the concurrently broadcast media content streams is currently broadcasting the second portion of the media content event of interest;
• process the selected first one of the concurrently broadcast media content streams in response to the communicated request, wherein the selected first one of the concurrently broadcast media content streams includes the concluding portion of the media content event of interest that is currently broadcasting the second portion;
• and
• process a received second media stream containing an initial portion of the media content event of interest, wherein the initial portion includes the first portion and the second portion of the media content event of interest.

A method that communicates media content from a media content distribution center, the method comprising:

• receiving a request from a first media device, wherein the request identifies a media content event of interest, wherein the media content event of interest is defined by a serial ordered plurality of portions that begins with a first portion and is followed by a second portion;
• concurrently broadcasting a plurality of first media content streams from the media content distribution center, wherein the broadcast plurality of first media content streams are accessible by the first media device and a plurality of other media devices,
• wherein each one of the broadcast plurality of first media content streams comprises a concluding portion of the media content event of interest,
• wherein the concluding portion begins with the second portion of the plurality of portions of the media content event of interest,
• wherein the second portion is followed by remaining portions of the media content event of interest, and
• wherein the concluding portion of each of the plurality of first media content streams are broadcast offset in time from each other by a duration that includes at least the second portion of the media content event of interest;
• transmitting an instruction to the first media device in response to the communicated request, wherein the instruction identifies one of the concurrently broadcast plurality of first media content streams, and wherein the identified one of the concurrently broadcast plurality of first media content streams is currently broadcasting the second portion of the media content event of interest;
• and
• transmitting a second media content stream containing an initial portion of the media content event to the first media device, wherein the initial portion includes the first portion and the second portion of the media content event of interest.

A media device comprising:

• a processor system;
• a tuner that receives at least one of a plurality of broadcast media content streams with a concluding portion of a media content event of interest,
• wherein the media content event of interest is defined by a serial ordered plurality of portions that begins with a first portion and is followed by a second portion,
• wherein the concluding portion begins with the second portion of the plurality of portions of the media content event of interest,
• wherein the second portion is followed by remaining portions of the media content event of interest, and
• wherein the concluding portion of each of the plurality of broadcast media content streams are broadcast offset in time from each other by a duration that includes at least the second portion of the media content event of interest;
• and
• a communication network interface communicatively coupled to the processor system and the tuner, wherein the communication network interface is communicatively coupled to the media device with at least one media content distribution center, wherein the communication network interface is operable to:
• communicate a request to a media content distribution center for the media content event of interest;
• receive an instruction in response to the communicated request, wherein the instruction identifies one of the broadcast plurality of media content streams, wherein the identified one of the broadcast plurality of media content streams is concurrently transmitted to a plurality of media devices and comprises the concluding portion of the media content event of interest that is currently broadcasting the second portion, and wherein an initial portion of the media content event of interest has been previously communicated;
• and
• receive a unicast media content stream containing the initial portion of the media content event of interest, wherein the initial portion includes the first portion and the second portion of the media content event of interest.