WO2018183125A1

WO2018183125A1 - Video-content-distribution platform integrated with advertisement and reward collection mechanisms

Info

Publication number: WO2018183125A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/024149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nikita Danilov; Mykhailo DUDKO
Original assignee: Nikita Danilov; Dudko Mykhailo
Priority date: 2017-03-25
Filing date: 2018-03-23
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

Disclosed is a subscription-based video content distribution platform which provides a wide range of video contents (including both social media-based videos and non-social-media-based videos) from a wide range of content providers (including both social media influencer (SMIs) video producers and non-SMI video producers) to the subscribers of the video content distribution platform and promote a wide range of products and services associated with a wide range of participating advertisers to the subscribers through the video contents distributed on the video content distribution platform. The disclosed video content distribution platform allows advertisers to reach a wide range of target audiences, including both users/subscribers of the video content distribution platform and followers of participating SMIs via their multiple social media accounts.

Description

VIDEO-CONTENT-DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM INTEGRATED WITH ADVERTISEMENT AND REWARD COLLECTION MECHANISMS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/476,773 entitled "Social-Media-Based TV Show Production, Distribution, Broadcast, and Monetization" filed on March 25, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/539,653, entitled "A Video-Content-Distribution Platform Integrated with Advertisement and Reward Collection Mechanisms," filed on August 1, 2017, each of which is incorporated by reference in their entirety, for all purposes, herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This patent document relates to systems, devices, and processes for providing a video content distribution platform integrated with product and service advertisement and reward distribution/collection mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Rapid growth in online advertisement spending has resulted in massive use of commercial breaks (similar to those used in TV) before and during consumption of existing video content distributed through social media and online video- sharing websites. Similar to advertisement on TV, advertisers spend heavily on online media buying. In return for paid media, advertisers are able to expose their products and services to the audience (i.e., prospective consumers), and the audience gets to see what they can buy, while being forced to watch the commercials and pay for it with their time. Hence, there is a need for a more efficient, user friendly and cost-effective advertising platform.

SUMMARY [0004] Some embodiments of the disclosed video-content-distribution platform (hereinafter also referred to as "the technology" and/or the "the platform") are designed to allow advertisers to reach a wide target audience through collaborative production and distribution of video content with independent social media influencer (or "SMI" and/or "SMIs" hereinafter) free of media-buying expenses in return for the ability to reward active target audience with advertised product or service. The disclosed platform allows its subscribers/users to explore available video content by name or genre of the video content these subscribers/users are interested in, by the talents who host the video programs (e.g., SMIs), and also by the available reward(s) subscribers/users can get from a particular advertiser(s). For example, if a subscriber/user is interested to travel to Paris, this subscriber/user can search for the video content that features relevant sponsors (e.g., travel operators, hotels, restaurants, airfare, etc.), watch the relevant shows, and subsequently collect/claim reward points if such rewards exist. In some embodiments, a certain period of time after a relevant product or service is purposely displayed on the screen and/or while SMIs are interacting with a product or service, a pop-up window appears to suggest subscribers/users to claim the reward points. In some embodiments, upon collecting a required amount of reward points, subscribers/users receive the reward from the advertiser(s). As such, advertisers using the disclosed platform can promote their products and services directly to their prospective customers and build loyalty relationship, while not paying for media-buying.

[0005] Disclosed techniques, systems, and devices include a subscription-based video content distribution platform which is designed to distribute a wide range of video content (including video content produced for social media-based and non-social-media-based video content) from a wide range of content providers including the SMIs, film, TV and video producers to the subscribers of the video content distribution platform, while integrating in the narrative of storytelling of distributed video content and promoting a wide range of products and services associated with a wide range of participating advertisers to the subscribers through the video contents distributed on the video content distribution platform. The disclosed video content distribution platform allows advertisers to reach a wide range of target audiences, including both users/subscribers of the video content distribution platform and followers of participating SMIs via their multiple social media accounts. [0006] The disclosed video content distribution platform also provides a unique advertising model for the advertisers based on using "tie-in" product placement promotional advertisement and reward-based distribution of products and services in return for media-buying-free advertisements. In some embodiments, the disclosed video content distribution platform provides a free media buying model. In other words, the disclosed video content distribution platform does not charge a fee for the advertisers advertising their products and services on the video content distribution platform. Instead, an alternative Ads buying model is used where advertisers are required to allocate promoted products and services as reward distribution among the subscribers of the video content distribution platform. Hence, the disclosed video content distribution platform can redirect up to 100% of Ad revenues to the users/subscribers as an added benefit of subscription and incentive to keep making payments to the platform and watching the videos on the platform.

[0007] The disclosed video content distribution platform is designed to provide separate sets of interests and incentives to each of the parties using the video content distribution platform, i.e., content providers who produce the video contents for the video content distribution platform, such as the SMIs; the subscribers/users who subscribe to the video content distribution platform to watch videos produced by the content providers and distributed on the content distribution platform; and advertisers who promote their products and services on the video content distribution platform through the videos produced by the content providers and watched by the subscribers.

[0008] In one aspect of this patent disclosure, a process for providing reward points associated with products and services of a group of advertisers to a subscriber of a video content platform for distributing videos embedded with advertisements of the group of advertisers is disclosed. This process includes performing the steps of: providing the subscriber with a catalogue of available prizes provided by the group of advertisers; receiving a first selection from the subscriber of a desired prize from the catalogue of available prizes; displaying a list of relevant videos from a content library based on the first selection; receiving a second selection from the subscriber of a desired video from the list of relevant videos; and playing the selected video based on the second selection, whereby allowing the subscriber to claim reward points associated with the desired prize while watching the selected video. [0009] In some embodiments, prior to providing the subscriber with the catalogue of available prizes from the group of advertisers, the process further includes performing the steps of: creating a library of videos in collaboration with a group of social media influencers (SMIs); for a subset of created videos, embedding advertisements provided by the group of advertisers into the subset of created videos, wherein the advertisements are associated with a set of available prizes provided by the group of advertisers; and creating the catalogue of available prizes based on the subset of created videos embedded with the advertisements.

[0010] In some embodiments, the process embeds the advertisements into the subset of created videos by integrating products or services associated with the advertisements into the narratives of the subset of created videos.

[0011] In some embodiments, while playing the selected video, the process allows the subscriber to claim the reward points on the screen where the selected video is being played without pausing the video, thereby ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience to the subscriber.

[0012] In some embodiments, the process allows the subscriber to claim the reward points without pausing the video by displaying a small window/banner on the screen with a countdown while the selected video is being played. The subscriber claims the reward points by interacting with the small window/banner before the countdown reaches the end.

[0013] In some embodiments, the process further includes: determining that the subscriber has claimed a sufficient amount of reward points; and displaying on a side of the screen options to allow the subscriber to redeem the prize now or at a later time.

[0014] In some embodiments, the process further includes a step of only allowing the subscriber to claim the reward points associated with the desired prize during the first streaming session of the selected video.

[0015] In another aspect of this patent disclosure, another process for providing reward points associated with products and services of a group of advertisers to a subscriber of a video content platform for distributing videos embedded with advertisements of the group of advertisers is disclosed. This process includes performing the steps of: providing the subscriber with a reward search interface; receiving a reward search term from the subscriber for a desired reward through the reward search interface; determining if the desired reward is among a set of available rewards provided by the group of advertisers. If so, the process further performs the steps of: displaying a list of relevant videos from a video content library based on the desired reward; receiving a second selection from the subscriber of a desired video from the list of relevant videos; and playing the selected video based on the second selection, whereby allowing the subscriber to claim reward points associated with the desired reward while watching the selected video.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 presents a flowchart illustrating a process of providing reward points associated with a product or service from an advertiser to a viewer watching a video content using the proposed SMB App in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of a disclosed video content distribution platform through which the subscribers, the advertisers, and the content providers interact with one another in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a screen grab illustrating an exemplary user interface of the disclosed video content distribution platform for browsing, searching, and selecting video content based on genres and titles of the shows in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a screen grab illustrating an exemplary user interface of the disclosed video content distribution platform for browsing, searching, and selecting video content based on the host SMIs of the shows in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0020] FIG. 5 shows a screen grab illustrating an exemplary user interface of the disclosed video content distribution platform for browsing, searching, and selecting video content based on the available rewards and benefits in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0021] FIG. 6 shows a screen grab illustrating an exemplary user interface of the disclosed video content distribution platform for displaying available "magic hour" shows and associated high monetary value prizes in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0022] FIG. 7 shows a screen grab illustrating an exemplary user profile page of the subscriber in the disclosed video content distribution platform in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0023] FIG. 8 shows a screen grab illustrating another exemplary user profile page of the subscriber in the disclosed video content distribution platform in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0024] FIG. 9 presents a flowchart illustrating a process of providing reward points associated with products and services to a subscriber of the video content distribution platform in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0025] FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which some embodiments of the subject technology are implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Previously, we have disclosed systems and techniques for producing and broadcasting a live social-media-based TV show, such as a live social media reality show, based on multiple live video streams produced by multiple social media influencers who serve as hosts for the live show. The previously disclosed systems and techniques provide an unique production pipeline that allows for a real-time collaborative production of a "TV-like" reality show between multiple Social Media Influencers (also referred to as "SMIs" or "influencers" hereinafter) and live broadcast/distribution of the produced TV- like reality show based on a disclosed production format of social media reality TV show(s), wherein the live broadcast is simultaneously distributed through multiple social media influencers' existing social media accounts associated with multiple social media platforms to a large number of followers of the SMIs. The previously disclosed systems and techniques also provide an innovative way of distribution and monetization of the produced shows through the dedicated channels of distribution and through existing personal social media accounts of the influencers who host these shows.

[0027] We have also disclosed a viewer-oriented social media broadcaster (SMB) App for providing both live social media shows and achieved social media shows to a viewer and for providing reward points to the viewer watching a social media program containing advertisements. We have also disclosed a reward-point-collection process implemented on the SMB App and including the steps of: determining that an advertisement associated with an advertiser is being shown to the viewers watching the social media program; while the advertisement is being shown or immediately after the advertisement has been shown, displaying a popup window in a corner of the screen; and awaiting the viewer to interact with the popup window within a predetermined time period. This process also includes: if a viewer interaction with the popup window is detected within the predetermined time period, providing a predetermined amount of rewards points associated with the advertisement and the advertiser to the viewer. This process additionally includes: if no viewer interaction with the popup window is detected within the predetermined time period, preventing the predetermined amount of rewards points associated with the advertisement and the advertiser from being provided to the viewer. The popup window then disappears from the screen immediately after the predetermined time period, thereby preventing further viewer interaction with the popup window.

[0028] In this patent disclosure, a subscription-based video content distribution platform is disclosed to provide a wide range of video contents (including both social media-based videos and non- social-media-based videos) from a wide range of content providers (including both social media influencer (SMIs) video producers and non-SMI video producers) to the subscribers of the video content distribution platform and promote a wide range of products and services associated with a wide range of participating advertisers to the subscribers through the video contents distributed on the video content distribution platform. The disclosed video content distribution platform allows advertisers to reach a wide range of target audiences, including both users/subscribers of the video content distribution platform and followers of participating SMIs via their multiple social media accounts.

[0029] The disclosed video content distribution platform also provides a unique advertising model for the advertisers based on using "tie-in" product placement promotional advertisement and reward-based distribution of products and services in return for media-buying-free advertisements. In some embodiments, the disclosed video content distribution platform provides a free media buying model. In other words, the disclosed video content distribution platform does not charge a fee for the advertisers advertising their products and services on the video content distribution platform. Instead, an alternative Ads buying model is used where advertisers are required to allocate promoted products and services as reward distribution among the subscribers of the video content distribution platform. Hence, the disclosed video content distribution platform can redirect up to 100% of Ad revenues to the users/subscribers as an added benefit of subscription and incentive to keep making payments to the platform and watching the videos on the platform.

[0030] The disclosed video content distribution platform is designed to provide separate sets of interests and incentives to each of the parties using the video content distribution platform, i.e., content providers who produce the video contents for the video content distribution platform, such as the SMIs; the subscribers/users who subscribe to the video content distribution platform to watch videos produced by the content providers and distributed on the content distribution platform; and advertisers who promote their products and services on the video content distribution platform through the videos produced by the content providers and watched by the subscribers.

A Reward-Point-Based SMB Platform

[0031] The previously disclosed SMB App is designed to incentivize an audience to watch archived shows through a content library, which contains both free-to-watch content (or "free content") and paid-to-watch content (or "premium content"). In some embodiments, audience can subscribe to the SMB App with one of the two options: a paid subscription and a free subscription. For each subscription type, the audience receives a set of incentives which can be promoted to the audience by a Social Media Influencer (SMI) during a live show episode.

[0032] In some embodiments, using the disclosed SMB App through a paid subscription, the audience receives full access to the content library, which includes full access to all archived episodes of the previously broadcasted live shows. In some embodiments, the paid-subscription audience can watch the archived episodes via an Ad free GUI to the optimal viewing experience. In some embodiments, the paid-subscription audience can also have access to a smart TV version the SMB App, so that the paid- subscription audience can watch the content on a TV screen. In some embodiments, the paid- subscription audience also receives Prime- Your-Time (PYT) rewards/bonus points when watching shows through the SMB App. These PYT rewards/bonus points are described in more detail below. As mentioned above, the host SMI is incentivized for each follower with a paid subscription from both a monthly subscriber reward and the 100% Ad revenues.

[0033] Alternatively, using the disclosed SMB App through a free subscription, the audience can watch selected content in the content library for free, wherein the free content can include selected episodes of the previously broadcasted live shows. The free-subscription audience can also receive push notifications on their mobile devices from the SMB App. In some embodiments, the free- subscription audience can also receive the aforementioned PYT rewards/bonus points when watching shows through the SMB App. These PYT rewards/bonus points are described below in more detail. In some embodiments, for each follower with such a free subscription, the host SMI can still receive Ad revenue when the follower watches the free content through the SMB App.

Prime- Your-Time (PYT) Rewards/Bonus Points

[0034] In some embodiments, the proposed PTY rewards/bonus points are provided to and received by both free-subscription and paid-subscription audience when they are watching shows on the SMB App. More specifically, during the playback of am archived show, various advertisements can be embedded and/or inserted. These advertisements can include, but are not limited: a product placement, a running banner, and a standard linear video Ad. The proposed PTY rewards/bonus points function in such a manner that when an audience watches an advertisement, which can be in any of the above-described formats, the audience can get paid for their time through the proposed PYT rewards/bonus points. In some embodiments, after acquiring a sufficient amount PYT points with a particular advertiser, the audience can exchange the acquired points for real-life prizes/rewards directly thought the SMB app.

[0035] For example, if a subscribed audience acquires a sufficient amount of PYT points with American Airlines by watching plenty of Ads when watching a show or shows that American Airlines sponsor, the subscribed audience can receive a free ticket to

Hawaii as one of his/her rewards. In some embodiments, the subscribed audience will only be able to receive the PYT points if they watch the shows through the SMB App. In some embodiments, the PYT points are not exchangeable between sponsors/advertisers.

In other words, the subscribed audience acquires PYT points from each sponsor/advertiser separately, meaning that the subscribed audience cannot use one sponsor/advertiser's PYT points for another sponsor/advertiser's product (e.g., Starbucks points cannot be used to get a discount on a Sephora product).

[0036] While both free and paid subscriptions to the SMB App/platform provide the viewers the ability to acquire PYT bonus points, in some embodiments, a paid- subscription viewer having a prime account is designed to receive significantly more bonus points for each Ad he/she watches compared to a viewer who has only a free subscription.

Claim- Your-Points Popup

[0037] In some embodiments, the proposed SMB App/platform also includes a feature which is designed to incentivize the audience to actually watch the Ads because by doing so they can collect the aforementioned PYT rewards/bonus points in the SMB App. Hence, in some embodiments, the proposed Claim- Your-Points (CYP) popup operates in conjunction with the proposed PYT rewards/bonus points. More specifically, the proposed CYP popup is designed to appear in a corner of the screen during or after each advertisement is shown to the viewer while he/she is watching a show through the SMB App. Moreover, the CYP popup is designed to be sufficiently small so that it does not block the screen. Furthermore, the CYP popup is designed to be available only for a very short period of time but which is also long enough to allow the viewer sufficient time to interact with the CYP popup to collect the PYT Rewards/bonus points. For example, the period time the CYP popup will stay on the screen can be 3-5 seconds. Because the CYP popup is much smaller in size than the screen size and appears at a corner of the screen for only a very short period of time, the proposed CYP popup neither blocks the screen nor interrupts the show or whatever program is playing on the screen.

[0038] As an example of using the proposed CYP popup to collect the PYT points, a viewer is watching a show hosted by the SMIs, and during the show one of the host SMIs picks up a bottle of Coca Cola and starts drinking it, which is designed as a product placement Ad. As soon as the scene with the host drinking the Coca Cola is over, the CYP popup appears in the corner of the screen while the show itself is not interrupted. The CYP popup will only appear for 3-5 seconds during which time the viewer needs to press/touch/swipe/click or use another form of interaction to interact with the CYP popup in order to receive the PYT rewards/bonus points associated with the Coca Cola product placement Ad. If the viewer fails to press/touch/swipe/click or use another form of interaction to interact with the CYP popup during this 3-5 second time frame, the CYP popup disappears and the viewer cannot claim the PYT points associated with that specific Coca Cola product placement Ad.

[0039] Note that the although the above example is described in term of a product placement Ad, the proposed CYP popup can also function in conjunction with a standard linear video Ad which can appear before, during, or after a regular show. For example, if a linear video Ad is played as a commercial break during the playback of an archived episode, the proposed CYP popup can appear in a corner of the screen during or after the linear video Ad is shown for 3-5 seconds. Again, the viewer needs to press/touch/swipe/click or use another form of interaction to interact with the CYP popup in order to receive the PYT rewards/bonus points associated with the linear video Ad. If the viewer fails to press/touch/swipe/click or use another form of interaction to interact with the CYP popup during this 3-5 second time frame, the CYP popup disappears and the viewer cannot claim the PYT points associated with that specific linear video Ad.

[0040] Note that one important feature of the proposed CYP popup is that, because the CYP popup is only available for a very short period of time, such as 3-5 seconds, viewers are unable to cheat the system by simply leaving their viewing devices on for a long period of time, such as a whole day playing the shows and acquiring lots of PYT points. Through this feature, the proposed SMB App/platform ensures to advertisers that viewers actually watch their Ads, instead of just having the Ads played to get the PYT rewards/bonus points.

[0041] FIG. 1 presents a flowchart illustrating a process of providing reward points associated with a product or service from an advertiser to a viewer watching a video content using the proposed SMB App in accordance with some embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the process begins by determining that an advertisement associated with an advertiser is being shown to the viewer watching the social media show on a screen (step 102). Note that the social media show can be a social media live show being broadcasted or an archived social media show stored in the content library.

Moreover, the advertisement can include one of: a product placement advertisement, a running banner advertisement, and a standard linear video advertisement. [0042] Next, while the advertisement is being shown or immediately after the advertisement has been shown, the process displays a popup window in a corner of the screen (step 104). In some embodiments, the popup window has a size significantly smaller than the size of the screen so that the popup window does not block the screen. Moreover, the popup window is only displayed for a very short time period. In some embodiments, the predetermined time period is between 3-5 seconds. The process then awaits the viewer to interact with the popup window within the predetermined time period (step 106). Note that due to the small size and short lifespan of the popup window, the popup window does not interrupt either the social media show or the advertisement being playing on the screen.

[0043] If a viewer interaction with the popup window is detected within the predetermined time period, the process then provides a predetermined amount of rewards points associated with the advertisement and the advertiser to the viewer (step 108). Alternatively, if no viewer interaction with the popup window is detected within the predetermined time period, the process prevents the predetermined amount of rewards points associated with the advertisement and the advertiser from being provided to the viewer (step 110). Moreover, immediately after the predetermined time period, the popup window disappears from the screen, thereby preventing further viewer interaction with the popup window. In this manner, the rewards points associated with the advertisement and the advertisement can be provided to the viewer only if the viewer actually watches the advertisement. In some embodiments, the viewer interaction with the popup window includes one of: a press on the popup window, a touch on the popup window, a swipe on the popup window, a click on the popup window, and another form of interaction with the popup window.

[0044] It should be understood that, while the PYT rewards/bonus points and the CYP popup have been described in terms of a subscribed follower watching archived shows through the SMB App, one or both of the disclosed PYT rewards/bonus points and the CYP popup can also be used during a live show hosted by SMIs that includes advertisements, such as product placements.

[0045] In some embodiments, the SMB App is able to collect information of which subscribers have watched a specific Ad. Because the viewers are signed in to the SMB

App with their already existing social media accounts, the SMB App can collect and subsequently provide advertisers such information as the exact amount of views their Ads have received, and also detailed information about the viewers, including, but limited to age, race, sex, and interests, thereby assisting the advertisers in developing future Ad strategies for their goods and services.

Video Content Distribution Platform

[0046] Disclosed techniques, systems, and devices include a subscription-based video content distribution platform which is designed to provide a wide range of video contents (including both social-media-based videos and non-social-media-based videos) from a wide range of content providers (including both SMIs and non-SMI producers) to the subscribers of the video content distribution platform and promote a wide range of products and services associated with a wide range of participating advertisers to the subscribers through the video contents distributed on the video content distribution platform. The disclosed video content distribution platform allows advertisers to reach a wide range of target audiences, including both users/subscribers of the video content distribution platform and followers of participating SMIs via their multiple social media accounts.

[0047] The disclosed video content distribution platform also provides a unique advertising model for the advertisers based on using "tie-in" product placement promotional advertisement and reward-based distribution of products and services in return for media-buying-free advertisements. Note that traditional cost-per-view model for an advertisement played on websites such as YouTube ranges from $0.1 to $0.3. In some embodiments, the disclosed video content distribution platform provides a free media buying model. In other words, the disclosed video content distribution platform does not charge a fee for the advertisers advertising their products and services on the video content distribution platform. Instead, an alternative Ads buying model is used: advertisers are required to allocate promoted products and services as reward distribution among the subscribers of the video content distribution platform. Hence, the disclosed video content distribution platform can redirect up to 100% of Ad revenues to the users/subscribers as an added benefit of subscription and incentive to keep making payments to the platform and watching the videos on the platform.

[0048] In some embodiments, the total value of the promotional rewards made available for users/subscribers of the video content distribution platform by the participating advertisers (i.e., the budget of Ad Campaign) can be made to be equal to or less than the budget for traditional media-buying advertising means. The traditional media include broadcast Ads such as TV and radio, online Ads such as via popular websites like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, outdoor Ads such as billboards, printed Ads such as newspapers and magazines, among others.

[0049] As such, the disclosed video content distribution platform is designed to provide separate sets of interests and incentives to each of the parties using the video content distribution platform, i.e., content providers who produce the video contents for the video content distribution platform, such as the SMIs; the subscribers/users who subscribe to the video content distribution platform to watch videos produced by the content providers and distributed on the content distribution platform; and advertisers who promote their products and services on the video content distribution platform through the videos produced by the content providers and watched by the subscribers.

[0050] In some embodiments, the video contents distributed on the video content distribution platform can include both original and non-original video contents. The original video contents can include the aforementioned social media shows, both live and achieved, produced by the SMIs and original TV shows produced by commercial content providers. Moreover, the original shows produced by the SMIs can include both multi-influencer (i.e., multi-stream) shows that are co-produced and streamed by multiple SMIs, as well as single-influencer shows that is produced and streamed by a single SMI. The non-original video contents can include social media shows or TV shows produced based on adaptations of written works or existing TV shows or movies. Moreover, both of the original and non-original video contents that can be distributed on the disclosed video content distribution platform can include existing TV and movie contents, i.e., the third party contents. Furthermore, the original video contents can include both scripted original shows and unscripted original shows.

[0051] In some embodiments, the video contents distributed on the video content distribution platform can include both live video contents and pre-recorded video contents. The live video contents can include the aforementioned social media live shows produced by the one or more SMIs. The pre-recorded video contents can include the aforementioned social media shows produced by the one or more SMIs which are then uploaded onto the video content distribution platform and distributed to the subscribers at a later time on-demand. [0052] In some embodiments, the video contents distributed on the video content distribution platform can include videos that can be watched on various viewing platforms which can include, but are not limited to: various mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets, desktop computers, TV sets including smart TV sets, and big screens (i.e., movies).

[0053] As such, the various embodiments of the video content distribution platform described in this patent disclosure can be used to deliver advertisements from the advertisers to the subscribers of the video content distribution platform through any of the above-mentioned forms of video contents. We now describe some embodiments of the video content distribution platform in more detail.

"Media-Buying-Free" Advertisements

[0054] In some embodiments of the disclosed video content distribution platform, advertisements for the products and services from the participating advertisers are delivered to the subscribers through the video contents produced by the content providers. However, instead of using the traditional advertisement formats such as commercial videos which are played before, during (i.e., as commercial interruptions), or after a video streaming session, some embodiments of the disclosed video content distribution platform uses an advertisement format which does not include commercial videos. More specifically, in some embodiments, an advertisement of an advertiser is produced by integrating a particular product or a service of the participating advertiser into the narrative/storytelling of a video show/program within the video content. For example, the product or the service can be promoted in the video show/program by way of a product placement which is tied in with the show/program host and the show/program. As an example, the show host of a make-up show can promote a beauty product, such as a lipstick, by actually using that product in the video sequence once or more multiple times. In this manner, while a subscriber watches a selected video show/program, the advertisement is presented to the subscriber as part of the show/program without a commercial interruption.

[0055] Another important feature of the disclosed video content distribution platform is that the advertisers can promote their products and services without paying an advertising charge/fee to the disclosed video content distribution platform. Instead, a participating advertiser can distribute actual products and services to the subscribers through the video content. In some embodiments, the amount of products and services distributed by the participating advertiser is equivalent to the amount of money the participating advertiser would typically spend on advertising these products and services using traditional advertising means. In some embodiments, the budget of the products and services which the advertisers need to provide for distribution as rewards can be determined based on a discounted rate.

[0056] The concept that neither the content providers, e.g., the SMIs, nor the video content distribution platform charges a fee for the product advertisement while providing the videos and platform for the subscribers to gain free products and services allows the content providers, such as the SMIs to project a "Robin Hood" like images to their fans/followers, thereby allowing them to maintain and expand their fan bases.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of a disclosed video content distribution platform 200 (or "platform 200" hereinafter) through which the subscribers, the advertisers, and the content providers interact with one another in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0058] As can be seen in FIG. 2, to reach a wider audience, content providers 201, such as SMIs, upload videos, which can include but not limited to, original and non- original videos, live shows and pre-recorded videos, scripted and unscripted videos onto platform 200. To use platform 200, advertisers 202 send their products and services to platform 200. In some embodiments, the amount of products and services an advertiser 202 sends to platform 200 for distribution is equivalent to the amount of money advertiser 202 would typically spend on advertising these products and services using traditional advertising means, including but not limited to broadcast Ads such as TV and radio, online Ads such as via popular websites, outdoor Ads such as billboards, printed Ads such as newspapers and magazines, among others. In some embodiments, advertisers 202 do not pay fees to platform 200 or to any of the content provides 201.

[0059] As described above, SMB platform 200 creates entertainment video content 206 for a wide range of audiences, e.g., in collaboration with host SMIs (not explicitly shown in FIG. 2) hosting live shows. When creating video content 206, SMB platform 200 can embed and/or insert various active advertisements of advertisers 202 into the videos.

[0060] In some embodiments, a subscriber 204 of platform 200 pays a subscription payment, such as a monthly fee, to platform 200 to gain full access to video content 206 and rewards. In some other embodiments, subscriber 204 can also have a free subscription to platform 200 which is associated with a restricted access to video content 206.

[0061] In some embodiments, subscriber 204 consumes video content 206 for personal entertainment by watching live video shows/programs or pre-recorded video shows/programs in video content 206. While watching a live video or a pre-recorded video in video content 206 on a screen of a user device, e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet, or a smart TV, subscriber 204 is able to receive rewards/prizes, including products and services, by watching and responding to the advertisements embedded in the video being watched on the screen from corresponding advertisers 202. As mentioned above, advertisements of products and services can be integrated into the narrative/storytelling of the video by way of product placements which are tied in with the show/program host.

[0062] In some embodiments, after a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5-10 seconds) from such a product or service placement begins to show on the screen, an interactive banner (hereinafter referred to as a "reward banner") appears in a corner of the screen for a limited period of time (e.g., 3-5 seconds) that allows subscriber 204 to interact with the active banner, e.g., by clicking a button labels "Claim Your Points," in order to claim a specific amount of reward points associated with a product or a service.

In some embodiments, the reward banner also displays a timer countdown indicating the remaining time before the reward banner disappears from the screen. Moreover, the reward banner can also display a logo of the particular advertiser sponsoring the current reward. Note that instead of using a reward banner, other embodiments of platform 200 can also use an interactive window in place of the interactive banner.

[0063] Depending on the type of device subscriber 204 is using to watch the video, different manners of interacting with the reward banner may be used. For example, if subscriber 204 watches the video on a mobile device with a touch screen, subscriber 204 can claim the reward points by tapping the banner on the screen. Alternatively, if subscriber 204 watches the video on a Smart TV Set, subscriber 204 can claim the reward points using either a TV remote or a mobile device of subscriber 204 which can serve as a remote control when connected to the Smart TV set via internet or a local Wi-Fi network.

In this embodiment, the Smart TV set and the mobile device of subscriber 204 can be synchronized through a server using a single account of subscriber 204. In some embodiments, after subscriber 204 presses "Claim Your Points" on the displayed banner on the screen, a number showing how many points have been claimed for the particular prize pops up for a brief moment and disappears.

[0064] Note that a total amount of reward points required to claim a particular product or service is specified individually for each reward product or service generally based on the monetary value of the reward product or service and an advertisement budget of the advertiser providing the reward product or service. In some embodiments, when subscriber 204 collects a sufficient amount of reward points for a reward product or service, subscriber 204 is notified with a congratulation popup and a suggestion to redeem the reward.

[0065] Note that platform 200 is also configured to provide advertisers 202 with accurate statistics and data analysis of the effectiveness of their Ads. This is at least because platform 200 can gain access to the social media accounts of subscriber 204. For example, platform 200 can be configured such that in order to use platform 200, subscriber 204 has to sign in with an existing social media account, such as Facebook, Google, and Instagram. In some embodiments, advertisers 202 can also become involved in loyalty marketing by allowing their potential customers to try their products completely free of charge.

[0066] With a great number of available videos and a large number of available host SMIs and entertainers offered in video content 206, it is necessary to make searching videos and rewards efficient for subscribers 204. The disclosed platform 200 is configured to allow subscriber 204 to browse and consume video content 206 through a range of search options. For example, in some embodiments, the disclosed platform 200 allows subscriber 204 to search video content 206 by genres and titles of the shows in video content 206. This option is similar to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other streaming video service providers. FIG. 3 shows a screen grab 300 illustrating an exemplary user interface of the disclosed video content distribution platform 200 for browsing, searching, and selecting video content 206 based on genres and titles of the shows in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0067] In some embodiments, the disclosed platform 200 allows subscriber 204 to search video content 206 by the host SMIs. This option is similar to YouTube,

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, among other social media platforms. FIG. 4 shows a screen grab 400 illustrating an exemplary user interface of the disclosed video content distribution platform 200 for browsing, searching, and selecting video content 206 based on the host SMIs of the shows in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0068]In some embodiments, the disclosed platform 200 allows subscriber 204 to search video content 206 by the available rewards and benefits. More specifically, in this option, subscriber 204 can first explore/browse a unique in-App catalogue of available rewards and benefits from advertisers 202. As mentioned above, these rewards and benefits can be provided by advertisers 202 and distributed to subscriber 204 in exchange for media-buying-free advertisements on the disclosed platform 200. FIG. 5 shows a screen grab 500 illustrating an exemplary user interface of the disclosed video content distribution platform 200 for browsing, searching, and selecting video content 206 based on the available rewards and benefits in accordance with some embodiments described herein. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the available rewards and benefits can be categorized based on the types of products and services, such as cosmetic and beauty; electronics, travel and trips, etc. In addition, the catalogue of available rewards and benefits can also include a category of products and services under "recommended prizes." In addition, the catalogue of available rewards and benefits can also include a category of products and services which subscriber 204 has already claimed full or partial reward points, e.g., under a category "prizes you already claimed points."

[0069] From the selection screen of the in-App catalogue, subscriber 204 can select a desired prize he/she wants to receive, which causes platform 200 to display a list of recommended videos related to the selected prize. In other words, each video in the list of recommended shows/videos includes product or service placement advertisements and options to collect reward points toward to the desired prize. Subscriber 204 can further explore the list of recommended videos that allows him/her to receive the desired prize. To actually receive the prize, subscriber 204 can simply watch one or more videos in the list of recommended videos and claim reward points while watching the videos. In some embodiments, subscriber 204 can only claim reward points associated with an embedded Ad within a recommended video during a "first time" streaming session of that recommended video. This means that subscriber 204 is not able to receive additional reward points associated with an already watched Ad by watching the same Ad one or more times, e.g., by rewinding the video back to the same Ad.

[0070] In some embodiments, platform 200 allows subscriber 204 to search video content 206 by performing an "interest search" using an in-App search engine. For example, let's say subscriber 204 dreams about traveling to Paris. Subscriber 204 can simply perform an In-App search such as "I want to go to Paris." In-App search engine will then provide subscriber 204 with a list of relevant shows/videos that allows him/her to claim reward points for prizes sponsored by travel service providers such as airline companies, travel operators, hotel chains, restaurants, etc. To actually receive desired prizes, subscriber 204 can simply watch one or more videos in the list of relevant videos and claim reward points while watching the selected videos.

[0071] In some embodiments, the disclosed platform 200 allows subscriber 204 to search video content 206 based on a concept referred to as "magic hour'V'magic point". More specifically, in these embodiments, very high monetary value products from luxury goods/services sponsors/advertisers can be made available on a lottery-based scheme. For example, a car manufacturer/advertiser can budget a certain amount of vehicles, e.g., with a total price equivalent to the cost of media buying cost from traditional content distributors. FIG. 6 shows a screen grab 600 illustrating an exemplary user interface of the disclosed video content distribution platform 200 for displaying available "magic hour" shows and associated high monetary value prizes (e.g., a BMW SUV and a trip to Paris as shown) in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0072] In some embodiments, these "magic hour" shows are designed to allow a large number of subscribers 204 to simultaneously watch the shows, and a particular subscriber 204 to win an expensive prize by claiming a single magic point. However, these "magic hour" shows are designed with much lower availability to subscriber 204 than those shows for claiming less expensive products. For example, a "magic hour" show can be made available to all subscribers 204 only during selected time slots, referred to as the "magic hours." For example, in the example 600, the BMW prize event will only happen at three indicated time slots (i.e., 4pm, 5pm, and 7pm). Note that screen grab 600 also shows that subscriber 204 can select one of the above described search options by simply clicking on an icon displayed at the bottom of the screen to select one of the following search options for video content 206: search by rewards; search by influencers; search by magic hours; and search by show categories. Note that additional search options not shown in embodiment 600 can also be provided in other embodiments of the video content distribution platform 200.

[0073] In some embodiments, subscriber 204 can access and view videos in video content 206 through either iOS -based or Android-based mobile devices. In some embodiments, to ensure uninterrupted viewing experience, videos in video content 206 are produced to allow subscriber 204 to claim reward points on the screen without pausing the videos. For example, during a video viewing, a small diamond shaped icon can appear on the screen with a countdown. A viewer has to claim reward points by clicking or pressing on the icon before the countdown reaches the end, because after which the icon disappears from the screen and reward claim opportunity is lost.

[0074] As another example of an uninterrupted reward point claiming process, while subscriber 204 is watching a selected program, product placement advertisement begins to play on the screen. After a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5-10 seconds) from such a product placement advertisement begins to show on the screen, an interactive/reward banner appears in a corner of the screen for a limited period of time (e.g., 3-5 seconds) that allows subscriber 204 to interact with the reward banner, e.g., by clicking a button labels "Claim Your Points," in order to claim the reward points associated with the advertisement. In some embodiments, the reward banner also displays a timer countdown indicating the remaining time before the reward banner disappears from the screen. Moreover, the reward banner can also display a logo of the particular advertiser sponsoring the current reward.

[0075] In some embodiments, subscriber 204 can use a mobile device as a remote controller for his/her Smart TV set to perform aforementioned Claim- Your- Points (CYP) operation on the screen of the Smart TV set, navigate through the video content 206, leave comments and vote without interrupting the watching experience on the Smart TV set. In this embodiment, the Smart TV set and the mobile device of subscriber 204 can be synchronized through a server using a single account of subscriber 204.

[0076] In some embodiments, if subscriber 204 desires to leave a comment while watching a video on a mobile device, subscriber 204 can swipe, e.g., left or up depending on the specific screen orientation of the mobile device to open a comment window. After leaving the comment, subscriber 204 can swipe in an opposite direction, e.g., right or down depending on the specific screen orientation of the mobile device to hide the window.

[0077] In some embodiments, when subscriber 204 claims a sufficient amount of reward points toward a prize, a small window can slide into the screen from a side of the screen with a congratulation message and a suggestion to subscriber 204 to redeem the prize now, e.g., by clicking on a "redeem now" button, or to redeem at a later time by clicking on a "continue watching and redeem later" button. In some embodiments, after subscriber 204 claims the prize, a small window can slide into the screen from a side of the screen with a congratulation message and a suggestion to subscriber 204 to show the prize won on a social network with a one click "show prize to others" button. By doing so, subscriber 204 can receive additional reward points toward another prize.

[0078] FIG. 7 shows a screen grab 700 illustrating an exemplary user profile page of subscriber 204 in the disclosed video content distribution platform 200 in accordance with some embodiments described herein. As can be seen in FIG. 7, user profile 700 can include a list of prizes subscriber 204 is currently collecting with associated points information such as a total reward value, points claimed, points left to claim, etc.

[0079] FIG. 8 shows a screen grab 800 illustrating another exemplary user profile page of subscriber 204 in the disclosed video content distribution platform 200 in accordance with some embodiments described herein. As can be seen in FIG. 8, user profile 800 can include a list of prizes subscriber 204 is currently collecting with associated points information such as a total reward value and points already claimed. User profile 800 also displays a list of top influencers of subscriber 204 as well as a magic hour commercial.

[0080] FIG. 9 presents a flowchart illustrating a process of providing reward points associated with products and services to a subscriber of the video content distribution platform 200 in accordance with some embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the process begins by providing the subscriber with a catalogue of available prizes provided by the group of advertisers (step 902). Note that the available prizes include both available products as prizes and available services as prizes. Next, the process receives a selection from the subscriber of a desired prize from the catalogue of available prizes (step 904). Next, the process displays a list of relevant videos from a video content library based on the selected prize (step 906). The process further receives a second selection from the subscriber of a desired video from the list of relevant videos (step 908).

[0081] Next, the process plays the selected video, and while playing the video, the process determines that a product placement advertisement within the selected video is being shown on the screen (step 910). The process then displays a small window/banner on the screen with a countdown while the selected video is being played (step 912). The process subsequently receives an input from the subscriber via an interaction with the small window/banner before the countdown reaches the end (step 914). The process then provides a predetermined amount of reward points associated with the selected prize to the subscriber (step 916). Note that by using the interactive window/banner for claiming reward points allows the subscriber to claim the reward points on the screen where the selected video is being played without pausing the video, thereby ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience to the subscriber.

Financial Benefits for SMIs

[0082] The above-described platform 200 offers various financial interests and incentives

for the host SMIs serve as content providers to platform 200.

[0083] In some embodiments, video content 206 can be produced to include an ability to allow a large number of viewers to collect reward points by distributing the produced video content 206 on a non-exclusive basis to multiple social media platforms, including but not limited, the disclosed SMB platform 200, private social media channels of the SMIs, and many other relevant social media networks (such as Instagram and Facebook) and online video-sharing websites (such as YouTube).

[0084] In some embodiments, the followers of SMIs as the content providers are able to automatically receive video content 206 for free in the conventional manner, e.g., by watching video content 206 on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. However, in some embodiments, the followers of the SMIs cannot directly claim the rewards in video content 206 but will be offered by the SMIs an option to subscribe to SMB platform 200 and watch the shows in video content 206 on SMB platform 200 in order to claim the rewards. In some embodiments, the SMIs do so by providing their followers with a unique active hyperlink and/or a unique promo code, so that their followers can receive a promotion such as having the first month free. Next, when a follower subscribes to SMB platform 200 using the unique active hyperlink and/or the unique promo code, servers on SMB platform 200 will be able to track that this new subscriber who was brought to SMB platform 200 by a particular SMI.

[0085] In some embodiments, SMIs who host the live shows are entitled to a compensation of about 20% (or some other percentage numbers) of the monthly payment or royalty of about $1 (or some other dollar amounts) per month for each such new subscriber 204, so long as this new subscriber 204 is subscribed and keeps making payment.

[0086] In some embodiments, celebrities who host the live shows instead of the SMIs are entitled to a compensation on average of up to 40% (or up to some other percentage values) of the monthly payment or royalty of about $2 (or some other dollar amounts) per month for each such new subscriber 204, so long as this new subscriber 204 is subscribed and keeps making payment.

[0087] In some embodiments, guest celebrities and guest SMIs who are involved in producing and distributing one episode of the live shows are entitled to the compensation on average of up to 85% (or up to some other percentage values) of the monthly payment or royalty of about $4.25 (or some other dollar amounts) per month for each such new subscriber 204, so long as this new subscriber 204 is subscribed and keeps making payment.

Professional Benefits for SMIs

[0088] Most SMIs naturally strive for producing high production quality and high entertainment value video content 206 to meet the needs of their rapidly growing audience and keep their aging-out (or due to changing values) followers.

[0089] However, SMIs often are lack of expertise and experience of professional filmmakers and TV content producers, and therefore they simply cannot build a compelling story that will be able to grab the attention of the audience and hold interest through more than one single episode. As a result, SMIs often fail to hook their followers to wait for a "to be continued" episode and instead have to struggle to come up with new stories every week not related to their previous videos.

[0090] Professional filmmakers and TV content producers are highly experienced in creating arched stories and leaving "cliff-hangers" at the end of an episode to keep the audience anxiously waiting for an entire week to satisfy their curiosity. In some embodiments, such professional filmmakers and TV content producers can be recruited to assist SMIs to produce episodes of shows with a continuous flow of content and help them to achieve higher production and entertainment value of the future content.

[0091] Note that users who consume video content 206 through their mobile devices often have a shorter attention span and further due to the relative small sizes of the screens, prefer shorter videos compared to those users (which can be exactly the same users) who consume video content 206 through big screen TV sets. In some embodiments, to meet expectations and satisfy viewing experiences of both types of users, video content 206 produced within original formats can be produced in 12-45 minutes long episodes, after which each episode can be fragmented into 3-5 minute short segments. This segmentation technique will allow SMIs to broadcast the content on a more frequent basis (e.g., several times per week) to aid and improve consumption of the content through mobile devices, thereby allowing the users to navigate each episode (e.g., at the end of the week) with ease. Note that creating such segmented contents puts higher requirements and expectations on creative writing and production.

[0092] The produced video content 206 can then be distributed on a non-exclusive basis to multiple social media platforms, including but not limited, the disclosed SMB platform 200, private social media channels of the SMIs, and many other relevant social media networks (such as Instagram and Facebook) and online video-sharing websites and Online Video-Sharing Websites (such as YouTube).

Benefits for Producers and Writers

[0093] One of the important benefits that the SMIs receive when working as a content provider for the disclosed video content distribution platform is the option to collaborate with professional filmmakers, producers and writers who can assist the SMIs (e.g., with techniques used in traditional TV production) to substantially increase the production quality of the SMB content. One reason for which professional filmmakers, producers and writers will be highly interested in working with SMIs to create the content is that these professional filmmakers, producers and writers are also interested in receiving a very high (e.g., according to Hollywood standards) monthly royalty from the subscription money of each of the followers that an SMI brings to video content distribution platform 200.

Summary of Benefits for Multiple Parties of the Disclosed Platform

[0094] As mentioned above, the disclosed video content distribution platform 200 provides separate sets of interests, benefits, and incentives to each of the parties using the video content distribution platform: i.e., the content providers who produce video contents for the video content distribution platform, such as the SMIs; the subscribers who subscribe to the video content distribution platform to watch videos produced by the content providers and distributed through the content distribution platform; and the advertisers who promote their products and services on the video content distribution platform through the videos produced by the content providers and watched by the subscribers.

[0095] For the subscribers of the disclosed video content distribution platform, the set of benefits they can receive through this platform can include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: (a) being compensated for their time watching the videos in the video content while enjoying their favorite video contents; (b) watching the video programs without being interrupted for commercial breaks; (c) receiving an enhanced "lottery-like" entertainment experience while watching some of the video contents; (d) exploring and consuming video contents based on the benefits and rewards they desire to receive; and (e) experiencing immersive escapism through interactive 360° video content in the company of their friends.

[0096] For the advertisers of the disclosed video content distribution platform, the set of benefits they can receive through this platform can include, but are not limited to one or more of the following: (a) reaching a wide range of audience/subscribers without incurring conventional media buying costs (i.e., via "media-buying-free" advertisements described below); (b) reducing marketing expenses, and as a result, potentially lowering retail prices for the advertised products and/or services on the disclosed video content distribution platform; (c) motivating potential customers among the subscribers to actually want and seek opportunities to watch their advertisements. Note that this is one of the highly unique features for attracting potential customers provided by the disclosed video content distribution platform; (d) monitoring and analyzing detailed data associated with each and every active video content consumption action (e.g., in one embodiment, to claim a reward or a benefit associated with an advertiser, subscribers need to interact with an advertisement by clicking a button); (e) benefiting from an ancillary viral effect (e.g., a "word of mouth" effect) through each subscriber who gets to claim and receive desired product and/or service from the advertiser on the disclosed video content distribution platform; (f) building strong loyalty relationships with prospective customers.

[0097] For the content providers of the disclosed content distribution platform, such as the SMIs, the set of benefits they can receive through this platform can include, but are not limited to one or more of the following: (a) avoiding financial losses resulted from unreasonably high content distribution fees; (b) significantly increasing their revenues; (c) increasing the quality of their video content; and (d) positioning themselves to their fans/followers as "Robin Hoods" (as described above).

[0098] FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which some embodiments of the subject technology are implemented. Electronic system 1000 can be a client, a server, a computer, a smartphone, a PDA, a laptop, or a tablet computer with one or more processors embedded therein or coupled thereto, or any other sort of electronic device. Such an electronic system includes various types of computer readable media and interfaces for various other types of computer readable media. Electronic system 1000 includes a bus 1008, processing unit(s) 1012, a system memory 1004, a read-only memory (ROM) 1010, a permanent storage device 1002, an input device interface 1014, an output device interface 1006, and a network interface 1016.

[0099] Bus 1008 collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipset buses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of electronic system 1000. For instance, bus 1008 communicatively connects processing unit(s) 1012 with ROM 1010, system memory 1004, and permanent storage device 1002.

[0100] From these various memory units, processing unit(s) 1012 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of the subject disclosure, including the above-described process of providing rewards points to a subscribed viewer watching a social media show described in conjunction with FIGs. 1, 2 and 9. The processing unit(s) can be a single processor or a multi-core processor in different implementations.

[00101] ROM 1010 stores static data and instructions that are needed by processing unit(s) 1012 and other modules of the electronic system. Permanent storage device 1002, on the other hand, is a read-and-write memory device. This device is a nonvolatile memory unit that stores instructions and data even when electronic system 1000 is off. Some implementations of the subject disclosure use a mass-storage device (such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) as permanent storage device 1002.

[00102] Other implementations use a removable storage device (such as a floppy disk, flash drive, and its corresponding disk drive) as permanent storage device 1002. Like permanent storage device 1002, system memory 1004 is a read-and-write memory device. However, unlike storage device 1002, system memory 1004 is a volatile read- and-write memory, such a random access memory. System memory 1004 stores some of the instructions and data that the processor needs at runtime. In some implementations, the processes of the subject disclosure, including the process of providing rewards points to a subscribed viewer watching a social media show described in conjunction with FIG. 4, are stored in system memory 1004, permanent storage device 1002, and/or ROM 1010. From these various memory units, processing unit(s) 1012 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of some implementations.

[00103] Bus 1008 also connects to input and output device interfaces 1014 and 1006. Input device interface 1014 enables the user to communicate information and select commands to the electronic system. Input devices used with input device interface 1014 include, for example, alphanumeric keyboards and pointing devices (also called "cursor control devices"). Output device interfaces 1006 enables, for example, the display of images generated by the electronic system 1000. Output devices used with output device interface 1006 include, for example, printers and display devices, such as cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystal displays (LCD). Some implementations include devices such as a touchscreen that functions as both input and output devices.

[00104] Finally, as shown in FIG. 10, bus 1008 also couples electronic system 1000 to a network (not shown) through a network interface 1016. In this manner, the computer can be a part of a network of computers (such as a local area network ("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), or an Intranet, or a network of networks, such as the Internet. Any or all components of electronic system 1000 can be used in conjunction with the subject disclosure.

[00105] These functions described above can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer software, firmware or hardware. The techniques can be implemented using one or more computer program products. Programmable processors and computers can be included in or packaged as mobile devices. The processes and logic flows can be performed by one or more programmable processors and by one or more programmable logic circuitry. General and special purpose computing devices and storage devices can be interconnected through communication networks.

[00106] While this patent document contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this patent document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[00107] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

[00108] Only a few implementations and examples are described and other implementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on what is described and illustrated in this patent document.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A computer implemented method of providing reward points associated with products and services of a group of advertisers to a subscriber of a video content platform for distributing videos embedded with advertisements of the group of advertisers, the method comprising:

providing the subscriber with a catalogue of available prizes provided by the group of advertisers;

receiving a first selection from the subscriber of a desired prize from the catalogue of available prizes;

displaying a list of relevant videos from a content library based on the first selection; receiving a second selection from the subscriber of a desired video from the list of relevant videos; and

playing the selected video based on the second selection, whereby

allowing the subscriber to claim reward points associated with the desired prize while watching the selected video.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein prior to providing the subscriber with the catalogue of available prizes from the group of advertisers, the method further comprises:

creating a library of videos in collaboration with a group of social media influencers (SMIs);

for a subset of created videos, embedding advertisements provided by the group of advertisers into the subset of created videos, wherein the advertisements are associated with a set of available prizes provided by the group of advertisers; and

creating the catalogue of available prizes based on the subset of created videos embedded with the advertisements.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 2, wherein embedding the advertisements into the subset of created videos includes integrating products or services associated with the advertisements into the narratives of the subset of created videos.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein while playing the selected video, the method further comprises allowing the subscriber to claim the reward points on the screen where the selected video is being played without pausing the video, thereby ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience to the subscriber.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 4, wherein allowing the subscriber to claim the reward points without pausing the video includes displaying a small window/banner on the screen with a countdown while the selected video is being played.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 5, wherein the subscriber claims the reward points by interacting with the small window/banner before the countdown reaches the end.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises: determining that the subscriber has claimed a sufficient amount of reward points; and

displaying on a side of the screen options to allow the subscriber to redeem the prize now or at a later time.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises only allowing the subscriber to claim the reward points associated with the desired prize during a first streaming session of the selected video.

9. A computer implemented method of providing reward points associated with products and services of a group of advertisers to a subscriber of a video content platform for distributing videos embedded with advertisements of the group of advertisers, the method comprising: providing the subscriber with a reward search interface;

receiving a reward search term from the subscriber for a desired reward through the reward search interface; determining if the desired reward is among a set of available rewards provided by the group of advertisers; and if so displaying a list of relevant videos from a video content library based on the desired reward; receiving a second selection from the subscriber of a desired video from the list of relevant videos; and

playing the selected video based on the second selection, whereby allowing the subscriber to claim reward points associated with the desired reward while watching the selected video.

10. A computer implemented method of administrating rewards points to a viewer watching a social media program containing advertisements on a screen of a viewer device, the method comprising:

determining that an advertisement associated with an advertiser is being shown to the viewers watching the social media program;

while the advertisement is being shown or immediately after the

advertisement has been shown, displaying a popup window in a corner of the screen;

awaiting the viewer to interact with the popup window within a predetermined time period;

if a viewer interaction with the popup window is detected within the

predetermined time period, providing a predetermined amount of rewards points associated with the advertisement and the advertiser to the viewer; and

if no viewer interaction with the popup window is detected within the

predetermined time period, preventing the predetermined amount of rewards points associated with the advertisement and the advertiser from being provided to the viewer, wherein the popup window disappears from the screen immediately after the predetermined time period, thereby preventing further viewer interaction with the popup window.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 10, wherein the social media program includes one of a social media live show and an archived social media show.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 10, wherein the advertisement includes one of: a product placement advertisement, a running banner advertisement, and a standard linear video advertisement.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 10, wherein the popup window has a size significantly smaller than the size of the screen so that the popup window does not block the screen.

14. The computer implemented method of claim 10, wherein the popup window does not interrupt either the social media program or the advertisement being playing on the screen.

15. The computer implemented method of claim 10, wherein the viewer

interaction with the popup window includes one of: a press on the popup window, a touch on the popup window, a swipe on the popup window, a click on the popup window, and another form of interaction with the popup window.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 10, wherein the rewards points associated with the advertisement and the advertisement are provided to the viewer only if the viewer actually watches the advertisement.

17. The computer implemented method of claim 10, wherein the

predetermined time period is between 3-5 seconds.