Abstract: Changes to spot blocks to be broadcast via terrestrial stations can cause paid spots to be removed from corresponding spot blocks on a streaming station. If the streaming station has other spot blocks that are under-filled, the bumped spots can be automatically placed in under-filled spot blocks, allowing the bumped to be placed in an under-filled spot block faster than if human intervention was required. A media traffic system can keep track of the bumped spots, and in response to a request by a media automation system, provide a list of potential spots available for inclusion in the under-filled spot blocks. The automation system selects desired spots for placement in under-filled spot blocks, and notifies the traffic system about which potential spots have been placed. The traffic system removes the spots from its list of available spots to prevent selected spots from being included in future responses.

Abstract: When a downstream stream player is streaming content being played on a main radio station, the streaming content can be altered to substitute a different song than the one being played on the main radio station, even if there is a significant difference between the length of the song being played on the main radio station and the substituted song being played on the downstream stream player. After the substituted song has been played, the downstream stream player can resume streaming content from the main radio station. Substitution of the song on the downstream stream player can be performed by using a variable buffer delay, which essentially allows the downstream stream player to substitute different length songs by increasing or decreasing a delay between the play-out of the main station and the play-out of the downstream station.

Abstract: A unified system of unique identifiers is used to match enrichment content with primary content being delivered by subscribers, e.g. broadcasters, in different markets, market segments, etc. Songs, video, advertisements, or other content from multiple different content publishers or databases, each of which may be assigned identifiers using different identification systems, are assigned a unified, unique identifier. The unique identifiers are also mapped to content identifiers used by subscribers. When subscribers provide primary content, for example by broadcasting the content to end users, enrichment content is matched to the unified, unique identifier associated with the content, and appropriate enrichment data and content are sent to the subscriber for distribution along with the primary content.

Abstract: When a downstream radio station is streaming content being played on a main radio station, the streaming content can be altered to substitute a different song than the one being played on the main radio station, even if there is a significant difference between the length of the song being played on the main radio station and the substituted song being played on the downstream radio station. After the substituted song has been played, the downstream radio station can resume streaming content from the main radio station. Substitution of the song on the downstream radio station can be performed by using a variable buffer delay, which essentially allows the downstream radio station to substitute different length songs by increasing or decreasing a delay between the play-out of the main station and the play-out of the downstream station.

Abstract: A unified system of unique identifiers is used to match enrichment content with primary content being delivered by subscribers, e.g. broadcasters, in different markets, market segments, etc. Songs, video, advertisements, or other content from multiple different content publishers or databases, each of which may be assigned identifiers using different identification systems, are assigned a unified, unique identifier. The unique identifiers are also mapped to content identifiers used by subscribers. When subscribers provide primary content, for example by broadcasting the content to end users, enrichment content is matched to the unified, unique identifier associated with the content, and appropriate enrichment data and content are sent to the subscriber for distribution along with the primary content. If subscribers or content publishers change their own identifiers associated with content, the content can be un-matched and re-matched with the same or a different unique identifier.

Abstract: A streaming media server inserts contextual markers into a media stream being delivered to an end user device for play out to an end user. The contextual markers can be inserted in-band into spot blocks, and can be used to identify media items included in the spot block. When the contextual markers trigger the end-user device to send a message identifying the media content, e.g. a particular show, included in the spot block to a data management platform (DMP). The DMP uses the messages triggered by the contextual markers to attribute the end user to the media content. If a threshold number of attributions is received, and if the attributions are sufficiently recent, the end user can be a associated with an audience segment. The attribution and association information can be delivered to an ad server, which uses that information to select targeted advertisements to air during the show.

Abstract: A media receiver identifies attributes of a media station to which the media receiver is currently tuned. The media receiver monitors the signal quality of the media station. If the signal quality of the media station drops below a quality threshold, the receiver chooses an alternate station having similar content, and then tunes to the alternate station until the signal quality of the original station improves. When the signal quality of the original station rises above a re-tune threshold, the receiver can switch back to the original station. The receiver can monitor and record user listening patterns, station-switching patterns, and situational parameters, to identify times or locations at which station switches occur. This information can be used to select appropriate alternative stations, to perform pre-emptive station switches, and to determine when a station's content will be buffered with the expectation that a station's signal will drop below the quality threshold.

Abstract: When a request is received from an advertiser to prohibit scheduling advertisements during or near a restricted show, an order entry system can add the advertiser to a list of advertisers specifying prohibitions. An automated media scheduling system can implement rules to prevent advertisements linked to advertisers in the list from being scheduled in spot breaks during the restricted show, and instead schedule advertisements from other advertisers in those spot breaks. Buffers can be established around restricted shows, so that spot breaks near restricted shows can also be restricted. A playout system can perform validation checks to ensure that advertisements from advertisers included in the list are not improperly scheduled. Advertisers, advertisements, shows, or schedule portions can be tagged with blackout attributes to facilitate rule implementation. Subsequent manual changes to a broadcast log with restricted media items can be prevented.

Abstract: One or more target schedules is generated based on a single master schedule. Replacement media items are inserted into a target schedule instead of the corresponding media items from the master schedule. The replacement media items are selected from a list of potential media replacement items scored using a scoring method used by a music scheduling system, as corresponding media items in the master schedule. The length of the media items in the list is checked to see if the length falls within a duration delta of the length of the media item being replaced in the master schedule, and to identify items that meet a minimum score threshold. The highest ranking item from the list that satisfies both the score threshold and the duration delta is selected for insertion in the target schedule. Music scheduling systems, such as GSelector®, can be leveraged to generate and score the list.

Abstract: An ad proxy generates a playback manifest for delivery to a destination platform via a content distribution network (CDN). The playback manifest provided to the destination device includes hosted locations, such as network addresses, of both primary media files and advertising content. The playback manifest can also include tracking-calls. The destination platform receives normalized media files associated with the network addresses included in the playback manifest, and plays out those normalized media files during execution of the playback manifest. Tracking-calls can be fired, in accordance with the playback manifest, when part or all of a normalized media file has been played out. The tracking-calls can be used to facilitate calculation of impressions. The destination device need not be capable of differentiating between primary media content and advertising content, thus allowing even limited capability platforms, e.g. integrated automotive platforms, to provide targeted advertising.

Abstract: Local stations can generate their station broadcast logs based on a master broadcast log. In some cases, local stations are allowed to edit some positions, or slots, in their local logs, so that the local logs do not match the master log. This can create complexity when voice tracks for empty voice track slots are provided to the local stations, because voice tracks often reference the media in slots on either side of the empty voice track slots. A display is presented that facilitates recording custom voice tracks by providing indications about which local stations have confirmed receipt of voice tracks, and whether the media items scheduled on either side of the voice track slot in the master log have been changed by the local stations.

Abstract: An end-to-end automated management system facilitates generation of advertisement proposals, and purchase orders, over one or many media outlets and stations. Once an advertisement proposal is purchased and inserted into a traffic management and billing system, near-real-time performance feedback about the advertisements can be obtained from media consumers through a media presentation application presenting the advertisement, via a social media service, or the like. The consumer feedback and other performance factors, which can be received concurrently with airing of an advertisement, can be considered in determining whether a particular advertisement or an advertising proposal as a whole, is effective in meeting purchaser requirements. Advertisement copy can be changed according to the proposal parameters, without purchaser intervention, to provide near-real-time responsiveness to consumer feedback.

Abstract: Control of a single spot break (or all spot breaks within a predefined time period) can be dynamically split between different ad management servers, and between universal and targeted advertisements. Put another way, the particular type of process used to deliver advertisements (e.g. one-to-many or one-to-one) can be varied within a single spot break. Each portion of a split spot break can be dynamically adjusted in near-real time. If run time of advertisements inserted by an ad management server is either too long or not long enough, control can be passed to the next ad server late, or early, as appropriate. A single spot break (or group of spot breaks) can be split different ways for different stations, or for different tiers of spot breaks. Different spot breaks on the same station can be split differently.

Abstract: A unified system of unique identifiers is used to match enrichment content with primary content being delivered by subscribers, e.g. broadcasters, in different markets, market segments, etc. Songs, video, advertisements, or other content from multiple different content publishers or databases, each of which may be assigned identifiers using different identification systems, are assigned a unified, unique identifier. The unique identifiers are also mapped to content identifiers used by subscribers. When subscribers provide primary content, for example by broadcasting the content to end users, enrichment content is matched to the unified, unique identifier associated with the content, and appropriate enrichment data and content are sent to the subscriber for distribution along with the primary content. If subscribers or content publishers change their own identifiers associated with content, the content can be un-matched and re-matched with the same or a different unique identifier.

Abstract: A first message from a client device, received at a server, can include a request to provide at least one media item matching at least one audience parameter. In response to the first message, the server can access a database storing media item information associated with multiple media items to be retrieved using servers other than the server receiving the first message. The media item information can include, a media item identifier, a media item location identifier, and description information. Media items are selected based on a comparison of the audience parameter with the description information and the server sends a reply to the first message, including a list of media items and their location identifiers.

Abstract: A subscription system includes a national subscription server capable of tracking which local stations subscribe to particular radio station music formats, for example AC middays, Top 40 afternoons, morning programs, or overnight Contemporary AC. A local music scheduler can query the subscription server for a log of nationally scheduled content to fill one or more dayparts of a local broadcast schedule. The subscription system can determine where to obtain the requested log, and provide the log to the local scheduler for insertion into a particular daypart of the local clock, while leaving the remaining dayparts free for local scheduling. Trusted subscribers can also be permitted to alter portions of log of nationally scheduled items. Inserting the log of nationally scheduled items into the local clock provides local awareness of both local and national media items scheduled for broadcast.

Abstract: A media automation system can provide a common program to multiple different servers, for example a terrestrial broadcast radio server and a streaming radio server. Each of the different servers can receive different content blocks to be inserted during breaks in the common program. Media items from existing content blocks can be removed, and different items inserted. If a content block is under-filled, media items can be inserted without removing existing media items. When items are removed or added to a content block, the removal can be reported to a traffic and billing system for appropriate action. Content blocks can be customized by removing or inserting items based on information obtained from a cloud-based application, or some other source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for broadcasting media events, the method including the steps of providing a sequence of media events in a first server, the sequence of media events including at least one media event and a plurality of advertisement spots; playing the sequence from the first server to a second server prior to a predetermined broadcast time; and storing at the second server at least a part of the sequence received from the first server. The method may further include the steps of skipping, at the second server, spots during the broadcast of a sequence of media events during a spot-free daypart, inserting preferred content media events in the broadcast sequence, and inserting markers indicating whether a media event has been played during a spot-free daypart are to be played in the sequence of media events.

Abstract: A unified system of unique identifiers is used to match enrichment content with primary content being delivered by subscribers, e.g. broadcasters, in different markets, market segments, etc. Songs, video, advertisements, or other content from multiple different content publishers or databases, each of which may be assigned identifiers using different identification systems, are assigned a unified, unique identifier. The unique identifiers are also mapped to content identifiers used by subscribers. When subscribers provide primary content, for example by broadcasting the content to end users, enrichment content is matched to the unified, unique identifier associated with the content, and appropriate enrichment data and content are sent to the subscriber for distribution along with the primary content. If subscribers or content publishers change their own identifiers associated with content, the content can be un-matched and re-matched with the same or a different unique identifier.

Abstract: Changes to spot blocks to be broadcast via terrestrial stations can cause paid spots to be removed from corresponding spot blocks on a streaming station. If the streaming station has other spot blocks that are under-filled, the bumped spots can be automatically placed in under-filled spot blocks, allowing the bumped to be placed in an under-filled spot block faster than if human intervention was required. A media traffic system can keep track of the bumped spots, and in response to a request by a media automation system, provide a list of potential spots available for inclusion in the under-filled spot blocks. The automation system selects desired spots for placement in under-filled spot blocks, and notifies the traffic system about which potential spots have been placed. The traffic system removes the spots from its list of available spots to prevent selected spots from being included in future responses.