| Inventions
Content Consumption
An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented media service system 1) dividing a unitary media program into a plurality of contiguous segments, 2) forming, from the plurality of contiguous segments, a plurality of discrete installments of the unitary media program, and 3) providing an end user of a media service with installment-by-installment access to the plurality of discrete installments of the unitary media program. In certain examples, the method may further include the system providing an option for selection by the end user to access the unitary media program by way of a normal-access mode or an installment-access mode. The normal-access mode may be configured to facilitate a start-to-finish consumption of the unitary media program in a single playback session, and the installment-access mode may be configured to facilitate installment-by-installment consumption of the discrete installments of the unitary media program in multiple, discrete playback sessions. [see more]
Content Discovery
An exemplary method includes a media content discovery system 1) receiving a message addressed to a personalized destination within a media content consumption service, the message having originated outside of the media content consumption service, 2) posting information associated with the message to the personalized destination within the media content consumption service for access by a user from within the media content consumption service, 3) receiving a request provided by the user from within the media content consumption service to access the information posted to the personalized destination, and 4) providing, within the media content consumption service in response to the request, a personalized user interface that presents the posted information. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. [see more]