Automatic Detection of TV Commercial Breaks

This paper addresses the challenge of automating the detection of commercial breaks in live TV, differentiating them from regular programming. Accurately measuring the timing and duration of commercial breaks is crucial for regulatory compliance, ensuring advertisers' slots are aired as scheduled, and maintaining verifiable records for broadcasters. By examining regulatory frameworks in regions such as the United States, Europe, and parts of South America, this paper explores various automated detection techniques. Building on these techniques, it presents the design, implementation, and testing of an automated system capable of recording in near real-time the start, end, and duration of each commercial break on TV channels.