The user device 102 may be configured to determine whether the user device 102 satisfies the blackout condition based on a time of a request for the content. For example, if a user requests the content, then it can be determined whether the user device 102 satisfies the blackout request in response to the request. If the user requests that content be recorded, the user device 102 may be configured to determine whether the user device 102 satisfies the blackout condition based on the time of scheduled recording

The user device 102 may comprise an alternative content unit 114 configured to determine alternative content if the user device 102 satisfies a blackout condition associated with requested content. The alternative content may be determined based on a similarity between the requested content and the alternative content. For example, metadata of the requested content may be compared to metadata of the alternative content. The alternative content may be determined based on a source of the requested content. For example, the source of the content may be associated with the alternative content stream. The alternative content may be determined based on a channel number of the alternative stream being close to (e.g., the next up or down) the channel number of the requested content stream. The alternative content may be determined based on the alternative content being default content for use when a blackout condition appears.