Method and apparatus for streaming video

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that obtains consumption information for each of a group of communication devices associated with a user. A data plan is identified that is applicable to a communication device of the group of communication devices, and a group of media content is identified for the user based on the consumption information. The media content is provided to the communication device at a bit rate that varies according to the data plan. Other embodiments are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 a processing system including a processor;   a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
 obtaining consumption information for each of a group of communication devices associated with a user resulting in a plurality of consumption information; 
 identifying a group of media content for the user based on the plurality of consumption information; 
 identifying user preferences; and 
 scheduling media content of the group of media content on a channel customized according to the user preferences, the media content provided to a first communication device of the group of communication devices according to a criterion associated with the user. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the media content is provided to the first communication device of the group of communication devices at a bit rate that varies according to the criterion associated with the user. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the criterion of the users further comprises a data plan associated with the user. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 detecting the first communication device is connected to a first communication network; and   determining a network type of the first communication network, wherein the bit rate varies further according to the network type.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 determining a first data limit for the first communication device, wherein the scheduling of the media content comprises scheduling the media content on the channel according to the first data limit.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the bit rate is based on a first actual consumption of the media content by the first communication device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the bit rate is based on a second actual consumption of other media content of the group of media content by a second communication device of the group of communication devices. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 identifying a first time of day that the first communication device is communicatively coupled to a second communication network;   determining that the first communication device is subject to a second data limit when communicatively coupled to the second communication network;   identifying a second time of day that the first communication device is communicatively coupled to a third communication network; and   determining that the first communication device is subject to a third data limit when communicatively coupled to the third communication network, wherein a scheduling of the media content on a channel customized for the user comprises scheduling the media content on the channel according to the first time of day, second data limit, second time of day, and the third data limit.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the scheduling of the media content on the channel comprises scheduling a first portion of the media content to be viewed during the first time of day when the first communication device is communicatively coupled to the second communication network and scheduling a second portion of the media content to be viewed during the second time of day when the first communication device is communicatively coupled to the third communication network. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the third data limit is higher than the second data limit. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the second portion of the media content has a higher resolution than the first portion of the media content. 
     
     
         12 . A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
 obtaining consumption information for each of a group of communication devices associated with a user resulting in a plurality of consumption information;   identifying a group of media content for the user based on the plurality of consumption information   determining a user preference; and   arranging media content of the group of media content on a customized channel according to the user preference, the media content provided at a bit rate that varies according to a criterion associated with the user.   
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 scheduling a first portion of the media content on a channel to be viewed during a first time of day, subject to a first data limit, when the communication device is communicatively coupled to a first communication network, wherein the channel is customized for the user by arranging the media content based on the plurality of consumption information; and   scheduling a second portion of the media content to be viewed during a second time of day, subject to a second data limit, when the communication device is communicatively coupled to a second communication network.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the criterion comprise a data plan subscribed to by the user. 
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the second portion of the media content has a higher resolution than the first portion of the media content. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the operations comprise obtaining user preferences, wherein the scheduling of the media content comprises scheduling the media content on the channel according to the user preferences. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the bit rate is based on a first actual consumption of the media content on the channel by the communication device. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 obtaining, by a processing system including a processor, consumption information for each of a group of communication devices associated with a user, resulting in a plurality of consumption information;   identifying a user preference;   identifying, by the processing system a group of media content for the user based on the plurality of consumption information; and   providing, by the processing system, a channel customized according to the user preference, the channel comprising a customized arrangement of the media content of the group of media content for consumption on a communication device of the group of communication devices, the channel customized according to a criterion associated with the user.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 scheduling, by the processing system, a first portion of the media content to be viewed on a channel during a first time of day, subject to a first data limit, when the communication device is communicatively coupled to a first communication network, wherein the channel is customized for the user by arranging the media content based on the plurality of consumption information; and 
 scheduling a second portion of the media content to be viewed during a second time of day when the communication device is communicatively coupled to a second communication network. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 obtaining, by the processing system, user preferences, wherein the scheduling of the first portion of the media content and the second portion of the media content comprises scheduling, by the processing system, the first portion of the media content and the second portion of the media content on the channel according to the user preferences.