System and method for content delivery with multiple embedded messages

A method comprising the steps of:

• embedding, in a digital video program, by a programming source external to a content network, at least one segmentation message of a first type specifying at least one location for at least a first advertisement, said at least one segmentation message of said first type specifying that it is to be given effect by an operator of a content network when said digital video program is to be made available under a first condition and ignored when said digital video program is to be made available under a second condition;
• embedding, in said digital video program, by said programming source external to said content network, at least one segmentation message of a second type specifying at least one location for at least a second advertisement, said at least one segmentation message of said second type being of a different type than said at least one segmentation message of said first type, said second type specifying that said at least one segmentation message of said second type is to be ignored by said operator of said content network when making said program available under said first condition and given effect when making said program available under said second condition;
• and
• sending said digital video program, from said programming source external to said content network, with both:
• (i) said at least one segmentation message of said first type, and
• (ii) said at least one segmentation message of said second type,
• embedded therein, to said operator of said content network.

A system comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to said memory, and operative to:
• obtain, at a facility of an operator of a content network, from an external programming source, a digital video program, said program including:
• (i) at least one segmentation message of a first type, inserted therein by said external programming source, specifying at least one location for at least a first advertisement, and (ii) at least one segmentation message of a second type, inserted therein by said external programming source, specifying at least one location for at least a second advertisement;
• make said program available under a first condition, from said facility of said operator of said content network, over said content network, with at least said first advertisement in accordance with said at least one segmentation message of said first type, while ignoring said at least one segmentation message of said second type;
• and
• make said program available under a second condition, from said facility of said operator of said content network, over said content network, with said second advertisement in accordance with said at least one segmentation message of said second type, while ignoring said at least one segmentation message of said first type.

A system comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to said memory, and operative to:
• embed, in a digital video program, at a program source external to a content network, at least one segmentation message of a first type specifying at least one location for at least a first advertisement, said at least one segmentation message of said first type specifying that it is to be given effect by an operator of a content network when said digital video program is to be made available under a first condition and ignored when said digital video program is to be made available under a second condition;
• embed, in said digital video program, at said program source external to said content network, at least one segmentation message of a second type specifying at least one location for at least a second advertisement, said at least one segmentation message of said second type being of a different type than said at least one segmentation message of said first type, said second type specifying that said at least one segmentation message of said second type is to be ignored by said operator of said content network when making said program available under said first condition and given effect when making said program available under said second condition;
• and
• send said digital video program, from said programming source external to said content network, with both:
• (i) said at least one segmentation message of said first type, and
• (ii) said at least one segmentation message of said second type, embedded therein, to said operator of said content network.

A system comprising:

• means, other than a transmission medium or disembodied signal, for obtaining, by an operator of a content network, from an external programming source, a digital video program, said program including:
• (i) at least one segmentation message of a first type, inserted therein by said external programming source, specifying at least one location for at least a first advertisement, and (ii) at least one segmentation message of a second type, inserted therein by said external programming source, specifying at least one location for at least a second advertisement;
• means, other than a transmission medium or disembodied signal, for said operator of said content network making said program available under a first condition, with said first advertisement in accordance with said at least one segmentation message of said first type, while ignoring said at least one segmentation message of said second type;
• and
• means, other than a transmission medium or disembodied signal, for said operator of said content network making said program available under a second condition, different than said first condition, with said second advertisement in accordance with said segmentation message of said second type, while ignoring said at least one segmentation message of said first type.

A system comprising:

• means, other than a transmission medium or disembodied signal, for embedding, in a digital video program, by a programming source external to a content network, at least one segmentation message of a first type specifying at least one location for at least a first advertisement, said at least one segmentation message of said first type specifying that it is to be given effect by an operator of a content network when said digital video program is to be made available under a first condition and ignored when said digital video program is to be made available under a second condition;
• means, other than a transmission medium or disembodied signal, for embedding, in said digital video program, by said programming source external to said content network, at least one segmentation message of a second type specifying at least one location for at least a second advertisement, said at least one segmentation message of said second type being of a different type than said at least one segmentation message of said first type, said second type specifying that said at least one segmentation message of said second type is to be ignored by said operator of said content network when making said program available under said first condition and given effect when making said program available under said second condition;
• and
• means, other than a transmission medium or disembodied signal, for sending said digital video program, from said programming source external to said content network, with both:
• (i) said at least one segmentation message of said first type, and
• (ii) said at least one segmentation message of said second type, embedded therein, to said operator of said content network.