Broadcast synchronization
View Patent ↗A first media server delivers content for broadcast via a first media channel, and a second media server delivers media content for broadcast via a second media channel. The first media server operates in a synchronized mode, under control of the second media server during some periods of time, and during other periods of time operates in an independent mode. When operating in the synchronized mode, content delivered by the first and second media servers can be synchronized, so that the timing of spot blocks played on the two servers generally coincides. When the first server operates in the independent mode, the timing of spot blocks and other content broadcast on the first media channel are not synchronized under control of the second media server.
1. A system comprising:
a first media server configured to deliver first media content for broadcast via a first media channel;
a second media server configured to deliver second media content for broadcast via a second media channel;
the first media server configured to switch between a synchronized mode and an independent mode, wherein:
during the synchronized mode, the second media server exerts control over the first media content and a timing associated with delivery of the first media content; and
during the independent mode, the first media server controls delivery of the first media content and the timing associated with delivery of the first media content independently of the second media server; wherein the first media content has a first order and the second media content has a second order, the system further comprising during the synchronized mode, the second media server configured to control the first media server to match the first media content to the second media content, and match the first order to the second order.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the first media server configured, during operation in the independent mode, to deliver spots unconstrained by a spot block schedule used by the second media server.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the first media server configured, during operation in the independent mode, to operate in accordance with a copy of a clock shell associated with the second media server.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the second media server comprises an over-air audio server; and
the first media server comprises a streaming audio server.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
during the synchronized mode, the second media server configured to synchronize spot block start and end times associated with the first media server with spot block start and end times associated with the second media server.
6. The system of claim 3 , further comprising:
during the independent mode, the first media server is free to re-order, modify, and substitute media content and spots, subject to constraints of the copy of the clock shell.
7. A method comprising:
executing, on a first media server, an instruction to exit an independent mode and operate in a synchronized mode;
during operation in the synchronized mode, the first media server, operating at least partially under control of a second media server, to deliver first media content for broadcast via a first media channel, wherein the second media server operates to deliver the first media content for broadcast via a second media channel; executing, on the first media server, an instruction to exit the synchronized mode and operate in the independent mode; and
during operation in the independent mode, the first media server operating independently of the second media server to deliver second media content for broadcast via the first media channel; wherein the first media content has a first order and the second media content has a second order, the system further comprising during the synchronized mode, the second media server configured to control the first media server to match the first media content to the second media content, and match the first order to the second order.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
during operation in the independent mode, the first media server delivering spots unconstrained by a spot block schedule used by the second media server.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
during operation in the independent mode, the first media server operating in accordance with a copy of a clock shell associated with the second media server.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the second media server comprises an over-air audio server; and
the first media server comprises a streaming audio server.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first media content has a first order and the second media content has a second order, the method further comprising:
during the synchronized mode, using the second media server to control the first media server to:
match the first media content to the second media content, and
match the first order to the second order.
12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
during the synchronized mode, using the second media server to synchronize spot block start and end times associated with the first media server with spot block start and end times associated with the second media server.
13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
during the independent mode, the first media server is free to re-order, modify, and substitute media content and spots, subject to constraints of the copy of the clock shell.
14. A media server comprising:
at least one processor; memory operably associated with the processor; and
a program of computer readable instructions to be stored in the memory and executed by the processor, the program of instruction comprising:
at least one instruction to exit an independent mode and operate in a synchronized mode at least partially under control of a second media server, wherein the second media server operates to deliver the first media content for broadcast via a second media channel; at least one instruction to be executed during operation in the synchronized mode to deliver first media content for broadcast, via a first media channel; at least one instruction to exit the synchronized mode and operate in the independent mode; and
at least one instruction to be executed during operation in the independent mode to deliver, independently of the second media server, second media content for broadcast via the first media channel; wherein the first media content has a first order and the second media content has a second order, the system further comprising during the synchronized mode, the second media server configured to control the first media server to match the first media content to the second media content, and match the first order to the second order.
15. The media server of claim 14 , further comprising:
at least one instruction to be executed during operation in the independent mode to deliver spots unconstrained by a spot block schedule used by the second media server.
16. The media server of claim 14 , further comprising:
at least one instruction to be executed during operation in the independent mode to operate in accordance with a copy of a clock shell associated with the second media server.
17. The media server of claim 14 , wherein:
the second media server comprises an over-air audio server; and
the media server comprises a streaming audio server.
18. The media server of claim 14 , wherein the first media content has a first order and the second media content has a second order, the media server further comprising:
at least one instruction to be executed during operation in the synchronized mode to:
match the first media content to the second media content, and
match the first order to the second order.
19. The media server of claim 14 , further comprising:
at least one instruction to be executed during operation in the synchronized mode, to synchronize spot block start and end times associated with the first media content with spot block start and end times associated with the second media content.