Managing under-filled spot blocks
View Patent ↗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.
1. A method implemented using a media automation system, the method comprising:
identifying an under-filled content block using a database server, wherein identifying the under-filled content block includes the database server receiving, from a cloud-based application, a request for an available media item to be inserted into the under-filled content block, the request identifying the under-filled content block;
requesting a traffic and billing system to search a collection of priority media items to identify first media items for potential inclusion in the under-filled content block;
receiving a message from the traffic and billing system identifying the first media items;
the database server responding to the message by:
selecting at least one media item of the first media items for insertion in the under-filled content block; and
transmitting a signal identifying the at least one media item to the traffic and billing system.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
the media automation system working in conjunction with a cloud-based application to deliver personalized content blocks.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the working in conjunction comprises:
selecting the at least one media item based on listener preferences received at the database server from the cloud based application.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
removing a media item from a content block to create an under-filled content block; and
transmitting a message to a traffic and billing system identifying the media item removed.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
replacing a perishable media item already included in a content block with a more current perishable media item.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting a request to a media traffic system requesting an available media item to be inserted into the under-filled content block.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the request to the media traffic system comprises a request for commercial content and associated non-commercial media items to be transmitted before and after the commercial content.
8. A media automation system comprising:
a traffic and billing system configured to transmit a message to a database server, the message identifying media items available for insertion in content blocks, wherein the media items are selected from a plurality of priority media items bumped from previous content blocks;
the database server configured to:
select one or more of the media items for insertion in particular content blocks of a plurality of different content blocks;
transmit a signal to the traffic and billing system identifying the one or more of the media items selected;
first and second audio servers configured to:
receive a common media program from the database server, wherein the common media program includes a break during which various content blocks can be inserted; and
receive, from the database server, different content blocks to be inserted in the common media program, wherein the first audio server inserts a first content block into the break and the second audio server inserts a second content block into the break.
9. The media automation system of claim 8 , wherein the database server is further configured to:
receive, from a cloud-based application associated with a streaming audio server, a request for an available media item to be inserted into a streaming content block delivered to a media consumer via the cloud based application, the request identifying the streaming content block.
10. The media automation system of claim 9 , wherein the database server is further configured to:
select an available media item to be inserted into the streaming content block; and
instruct the streaming audio servers to insert the available media item into the streaming content block.
11. The media automation system of claim 10 , wherein the database server is further configured to:
select the available media item based on media consumer preferences received from the cloud based application.
12. The media automation system of claim 8 , wherein the database server is further configured to:
remove a media item from an existing content block to create an under-filled content block; and
transmit a message to the traffic and billing system identifying the media item removed.
13. The media automation system of claim 12 , further comprising:
replacing a perishable media item already included in the existing content block with a more current perishable media item.
14. The media automation system of claim 8 , wherein the message identifying media items available for insertion includes commercial content and associated non-commercial media items to be transmitted adjacent to the commercial content.
15. A database server comprising:
a processor;
memory operably associated with the processor, the memory configured to store a program of instructions to be executed by the processor, the program of instructions comprising:
at least one instruction to work in conjunction with a cloud-based application to deliver personalized content blocks;
at least one instruction to identify an under-filled content block;
at least one instruction to request a traffic and billing system to search a collection of priority media items to identify first media items for potential inclusion in the under-filled content block;
at least one instruction to receive a message from the traffic and billing system identifying the first media items;
at least one instruction to select at least one media item of the first media items for insertion in the under-filled content block; and
at least one instruction to transmit, to the traffic and billing system, a signal identifying the at least one media item.
16. The database server of claim 15 , further comprising:
a communications interface configured to receive, from a cloud-based application, a request for an available media item to be inserted into the under-filled content block, wherein the request identifies the under-filled content block.
17. The database server of claim 15 , further comprising:
at least one instruction to replace a perishable media item already included in a content block with a more current perishable media item.
18. The database server of claim 15 , further comprising:
at least one instruction to remove a media item from a content block to create an under-filled content block; and
at least one instruction to transmit a message to a traffic and billing system identifying the media item removed.