Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described herein that are configured for determining the presence of media. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention enable programmatic media detection utilizing a dual sensor media detection system. One example embodiment may include a media detection apparatus comprising a first sensor comprised of a first emitter and a first detector, the first sensor disposed on a first side of a media path, a second sensor comprised of a second emitter and a second detector, the second sensor disposed on a second side of the media path, wherein the second detector of the second sensor is positioned to receive electromagnetic energy transmitted by the first emitter of the first sensor when media is absent from the media path.