Multi-option sourcing of content

A method comprising:

• initiating distribution of corresponding content over a primary broadcast channel of a communication link to a subscriber;
• during playback of the corresponding content on a display screen, initiating display of a display notification to the subscriber, the display notification indicating availability of over-the-top content;
• as a response to the display notification, receiving selection of the over-the-top content from the subscriber, the over-the-top content being supplemental content associated with the corresponding content distributed over the primary broadcast channel;
• and
• in response to receiving the selection, transmitting the over-the-top content in a secondary channel of the communication link to the subscriber;
• wherein the over-the-top content transmitted over the secondary channel is linear scheduled content in which the over-the-top content is scheduled for distribution in the respective time slot, a first portion of the over-the-top content synchronized for playback at a time of playing back a first segment of the corresponding content, a second portion of the over-the-top content synchronized for playback at a time of playing back a second segment of the corresponding content;
• wherein the over-the-top content is a data stream;
• and
• wherein transmitting the over-the-top content includes:
• receiving timing information indicating a current play back location in the corresponding content played back on the display screen;
• correlating the timing information to a corresponding location in the data stream;
• transmitting, over the secondary channel, the over-the-top content at the corresponding location in the data stream for display of the over-the-top content at the corresponding location on the display screen.

A computer system comprising:

• computer processor hardware;
• and
• a hardware storage resource storing instructions that, when executed by the computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware to perform operations of:
• on a display screen, initiating play back of corresponding content received on a primary broadcast channel selected amongst multiple available channels;
• during the play back of the corresponding content received on the primary broadcast channel on the display screen, receiving selection of over-the-top content available over a secondary channel with respect to the primary broadcast channel, the over-the-top content being supplemental content associated with the corresponding content in the primary broadcast channel;
• and
• in response to receiving the selection during the play back:
• i) retrieving the over-the-top content, and ii) initiating play back of the over-the-top content on the display screen;
• wherein the over-the-top content received on the secondary channel is linear scheduled content in which the over-the-top content is scheduled for distribution in the respective time slot, a first portion of the over-the-top content synchronized for playback at a time of playing back a first segment of the corresponding content, a second portion of the over-the-top content synchronized for playback at a time of playing back a second segment of the corresponding content;
• wherein the over-the-top content is a data stream;
• and
• wherein retrieving the over-the-top content includes:
• obtaining timing information indicating a current play back location in the corresponding content played back on the display screen;
• forwarding the timing information to a server resource distributing the over-the-top content, the server resource correlating the timing information to a corresponding location in the data stream;
• from the server resource, receiving the over-the-top content at the corresponding location in the data stream;
• and
• initiating, on the display screen, display of the over-the-top content at the corresponding location.

Computer-readable storage hardware having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when carried out by computer processor hardware, causes the computer processor hardware to perform operations of:

• on a display screen, initiating play back of corresponding content received on a primary broadcast channel selected amongst multiple available channels;
• during the play back of the corresponding content received on the primary broadcast channel on the display screen, receiving selection of over-the-top content available over a secondary channel with respect to the primary broadcast channel, the over-the-top content being supplemental content associated with the corresponding content in the primary broadcast channel;
• and
• in response to receiving the selection during the play back:
• i) retrieving the over-the-top content, and ii) initiating play back of the over-the-top content on the display screen;
• wherein the over-the-top content received on the secondary channel is linear scheduled content in which the over-the-top content is scheduled for distribution in the respective time slot, a first portion of the over-the-top content synchronized for playback at a time of playing back a first segment of the corresponding content, a second portion of the over-the-top content synchronized for playback at a time of playing back a second segment of the corresponding content;
• wherein the over-the-top content is a data stream;
• and
• wherein retrieving the over-the-top content includes:
• obtaining timing information indicating a current play back location in the corresponding content played back on the display screen;
• forwarding the timing information to a server resource distributing the over-the-top content, the server resource correlating the timing information to a corresponding location in the data stream;
• from the server resource, receiving the over-the-top content at the corresponding location in the data stream;
• and
• initiating, on the display screen, display of the over-the-top content at the corresponding location.