Iheartmedia Management Services, Inc.

Clear Channel Management Services, Inc.

Chris Bean

Nigel Attwell

A method for use in an automated media scheduling system includes generating a shots representing potential playlists of media items. Each of the shots includes multiple shot positions. A shot-position-dependent score of a current content item being considered for insertion into a particular shot position of a particular shot is generated, and indicates how closely the current content item conforms to a predetermined set of factors associated with the particular shot position of the particular shot. The current content item is inserted into the particular shot position of the particular shot based, at least in part on a comparison of the shot-position-dependent score of the current content item with shot-position-dependent scores of other content items, and the shot positions of each of the shots are populated with eligible content items. One of the shots is selected for scheduling based on aggregate scores of eligible content associated with each individual shot.

Selecting shots for scheduling

Multiple shots representing potential playlists of content items are generated. Each shot includes multiple shot positions into which potential content items are placed. The shot positions are individually assigned position index values. The position index values assigned to positions in a particular shot form a unique sequences of index values. Eligible content items are identified for insertion into a first shot position. The eligible content items are scored relative to each other, and associated with content index values. Selected eligible content items are placed into particular shot positions based on a comparison of content index values associated with the selected eligible content items to a position index value assigned to the particular shot positions. Shot scores are determined based on aggregate scores of eligible content items placed in shot positions associated with each individual shot, and the shot scores are compared. A broadcast schedule is generated based on the shot-score comparison.

Limiting candidate playlists in multi-shot scheduling system

A Multi-Shot Scheduling System chooses from multiple candidate playlists of positions to select a broadcast playlist. Candidate playlists are generated based upon scoring and selecting content items for the positions through the use of index values. Various embodiments of the Multi-Shot Scheduling System can select broadcast playlists for multiple groups of content and can provide different methods of controlling scheduling performance by restricting the range of candidate playlists from which the best playlist can be selected. the number of candidate playlists to be considered can be determined based on the number of positions in each playlist and a restriction requirement that sets a maximum index value assignable to playlist positions.

A Multi-Shot Scheduling System chooses from multiple candidate playlists of positions to select a broadcast playlist. Candidate playlists are generated based upon scoring and selecting content items for the positions through the use of index values. Various embodiments of the Multi-Shot Scheduling System can select broadcast playlists for multiple groups of content and can provide different methods of controlling scheduling performance by restricting the range of candidate playlists from which the best playlist can be selected.

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Alexandria, Australia

Chris Bean