Abstract:
A media channel can include a mix of media items and invitational content packages. At some point during the playback of the media channel, an invitational content package can be presented. In response to detecting the occurrence of an interactive segment triggering event during the presentation of the invitational content package, an invitational content interactive segment and a next media item can be simultaneously presented. This can be accomplished by splitting the media channel into multiple streams, such as an audio stream and a visual stream, and presenting an element of the interactive segment within a first stream and an element of the media item within a second stream. To decrease the likelihood that a user may equate the invitational content with the media item, a bumper content item, such as audio that says, "now back to the music," can be presented just prior to playback of the media item.
Abstract:
To generate a media station, a client device can receive a candidate media item playlist and media playback rules corresponding to the media station. When a new media item is needed for the media station, the client device can apply the media playback rules to a next media item in the list of candidate media items. The playback rules can be used to determine whether the next media item is currently eligible for playback. Additionally, the client device can receive a candidate invitational content item playlist and invitational content playback rules corresponding to the media station. In response to detecting an invitational content triggering action, the client device can apply the invitational content item rules to the candidate invitational content item playlist to select at least one invitational content item to present in the media stream.