Broadcast synchronization
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 processor and associated memory configured to implement a database server;
a second processor and associated memory configured to implement an over-air broadcast server coupled to the database server and to an on-air broadcast chain;
a third processor and associated memory configured to implement a streaming broadcast server coupled to the database server and to a streaming broadcast chain;
the database server configured to:
generate an over-air broadcast log based on an over-air clock shell associated with the over-air broadcast server, the over-air broadcast log including:
first specified programming content and programming content timing information;
first specified spot block timing;
first information indicating a first location from which the first specified programming content can be obtained;
transmit the over-air broadcast log to the over-air broadcast server;
generate a streaming broadcast log based on the over-air clock shell, the streaming broadcast log including:
second specified programming content, the second specified programming content including at least some of the same specified programming content included in the over-air broadcast log, but with at least some differences in programming content timing information;
second specified spot block timing, the second specified spot block timing independent of the first specified spot block timing;
second information indicating a second location from which the second specified programming content can be obtained;
transmit the streaming broadcast log to the streaming broadcast server;
the over-air broadcast server configured to:
obtain the first specified programming content from the first location;
transmit the first specified programming content to the on-air broadcast chain for on-air broadcast;
the streaming broadcast server configured to:
obtain the second specified programming content from the second location; and
transmit the second specified programming content to the streaming broadcast chain for streaming broadcast.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first location from which the first specified programming content can be obtained, and the second location from which the second specified programming content be obtained, point to the same load folder.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first information includes voice track mappings that map voice tracks to the over-air broadcast server from locations external to the over-air broadcast server; and
the database server is further configured to duplicate the voice track mappings to the streaming broadcast server.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the over-air broadcast server is further configured to:
transmit voice tracks obtained at the over-air broadcast server to the streaming broadcast server.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the streaming broadcast server is further configured to:
obtain a copy of the over-air clock shell; and
synchronize the copy of the over-air clock shell to the over-air clock shell.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the streaming broadcast server is further configured to:
synchronize the copy of the over-air clock shell to the over-air clock shell to a time marker.
7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the streaming broadcast server is further configured to:
obtain a copy of the over-air clock shell in response to a command from the over-air broadcast server.
8. A method comprising:
generating, at a first processor and associated memory configured to implement a database server, an over-air broadcast log based on an over-air clock shell associated with an over-air broadcast server, the over-air broadcast log including:
first specified programming content and programming content timing information;
first specified spot block timing;
first information indicating a first location from which the first specified programming content can be obtained;
transmitting the over-air broadcast log to a second processor and associated memory configured to implement an over-air broadcast server;
generating, by the database server, a streaming broadcast log based on the over-air clock shell, the streaming broadcast log including:
second specified programming content, the second specified programming content including at least some of the same specified programming content included in the over-air broadcast log, but with at least some differences in programming content timing information;
second specified spot block timing, the second specified spot block timing independent of the first specified spot block timing;
second information indicating a second location from which the second specified programming content can be obtained;
transmitting the streaming broadcast log to a third processor and associated memory configured to implement a streaming broadcast server;
at the over-air broadcast server:
obtaining the first specified programming content from the first location;
transmitting the first specified programming content for on-air broadcast;
at the streaming broadcast server:
obtaining the second specified programming content from the second location; and
transmitting the second specified programming content for streaming broadcast.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the first location from which the first specified programming content can be obtained, and the second location from which the second specified programming content be obtained, point to the same load folder.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
duplicating external voice track mappings used by the over-air broadcast server to the streaming broadcast server.
11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
transmitting voice tracks obtained at the over-air broadcast server to the streaming broadcast server.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
obtaining, at the streaming broadcast server, a copy of the over-air clock shell; and
synchronizing the copy of the over-air clock shell to the over-air clock shell.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
synchronizing the copy of the over-air clock shell to the over-air clock shell to a time marker.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
obtaining, by the streaming broadcast server, a copy of the over-air clock shell in response to a command from the over-air broadcast server.
15. A device comprising:
a processor;
memory coupled to the processor;
a program of instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the program of instructions configured to:
generate an over-air broadcast log based on an over-air clock shell associated with an over-air broadcast server, the over-air broadcast log including:
first specified programming content and programming content timing information;
first specified spot block timing;
first information indicating a first location from which the first specified programming content can be obtained;
transmit first information associated with the over-air broadcast log to an over-air broadcast server;
generate a streaming broadcast log based on the over-air clock shell, the streaming broadcast log including:
second specified programming content, the second specified programming content including at least some of the same specified programming content included in the over-air broadcast log, but with at least some differences in programming content timing information;
second specified spot block timing, the second specified spot block timing independent of the first specified spot block timing;
second information indicating a second location from which the second specified programming content can be obtained; and
transmit second information associated with the streaming broadcast log to a streaming broadcast server, wherein the second information includes a copy of the over-air clock shell.
16. The device of claim 15 , wherein:
the first location from which the first specified programming content can be obtained, and the second location from which the second specified programming content be obtained, point to the same load folder.
17. The device of claim 15 , the program of instructions further configured to:
duplicate external voice track mappings used by the over-air broadcast server to the streaming broadcast server.
18. The device of claim 15 , wherein:
the over-air clock shell and the copy of the over-air clock shell are synchronized to a same time marker.
19. The device of claim 15 , wherein:
the over-air clock shell and the copy of the over-air clock shell are synchronized to different time markers.
20. The device of claim 15 , wherein:
the over-air clock shell and the copy of the over-air clock shell describe types of media content to play during particular periods of time, but do not dictate specific media items or a particular order of play.