SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING NEAR VIDEO ON DEMAND

Aspects include methods, systems, and apparatuses for periodically providing a content item by broadcasting segments of the content item. The method may include identifying a plurality of successive time segments of the content item, wherein each of the time segments is of substantially the same duration; assigning each of the plurality of time segments to one of a plurality of channels, wherein the number of channels is less than the number of time segments; assigning each of the time segments to a periodic time slot of its respective channel; and periodically broadcasting each of the time segments of the content item on the respective assigned channel and in the respective assigned time slot, whereby the content item is made available for uninterrupted playback subsequent to receipt by a receiver of a first portion of the content item.