Iheartmedia Management Services, Inc.

Clear Channel Management Services, Inc.

Nigel Attwell

Chris Bean

William Wallace Webber, Jr

Wiliam Wallace Webber, Jr

A method for use in a data processing system includes storing pass order information in a first data structure, wherein the pass order information stores settings associated with an order in which media items are to be scheduled for inclusion in a broadcast media schedule, and automatically generating the broadcast media schedule in accordance with the settings stored in the first data structure.

Data structure used to automate generation of broadcast schedules

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

An automated media scheduling system selects a media item from a first category of media items to be scheduled during a transition period included in a first daypart of a first day by determining that a media item from the first category of media items is to be scheduled. The system selects a media item using a strict rotation performed in a first order, but then determines that scheduling item results in an adjacency conflict. The system establishes a second, different order of media items from the same category. Each media item in the category is tested in the second order, until an item with an adjacency conflict is found. That media item is scheduled in place of the previously selected media item. The system then schedules remaining time periods in the first daypart of the first day by performing the strict rotation in the first order.

Automated scheduling of multimedia content avoiding adjacency conflicts

A device and method for using carry forward conflict resolution in a constant order schema for multimedia airplay scheduling. A reusable multimedia content set (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc.) can be combined with a secondary multimedia content set for playback of multimedia content to create a scheduling order. Conflicts in the scheduling order resulting from the combination can be resolved by exchanging slot positions in the reusable multimedia content set, which can then be reused for combination with subsequent secondary multimedia content sets while maintaining the previous conflict resolved scheduling order, thereby adhering to a substantially constant order for the multimedia content.

Multimedia scheduling for airplay with carry forward constant order

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 scheduling order can be designated for the broadcast and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to slots within the scheduling order. The broadcast day is divided into dayparts having blocks of time and including multiple time slots. One of those time slots, a transition period, is adjacent to another daypart. The transition period may be scheduled using a different algorithm for adjacency scheduling to satisfy both horizontal and vertical adjacency requirements. The remaining slots for the schedule can be scheduled from one or more categories of media items associated with the block being scheduled.

Method and system for controlling a scheduling order of multimedia content for a broadcast

A system and method for controlling a scheduling order per category is disclosed. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc.) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. The scheduling order can be configured to include a forward order per category or a reverse order per category with respect to the playback of the multimedia content in order to control the scheduling order for the eventual airplay of the multimedia content over a radio station or network of associated radio stations. A reverse scheduling technique provides an ideal rotation of songs when a pre-programmed show interferes with a normal rotation. Any rotational compromises can be buried in off-peak audience listening hours of the programming day using the disclosed reverse scheduling technique.

Method and system for controlling a scheduling order per category in a music scheduling system

A device and method for resolving a conflict in a chronological scheduling order for airplay while with constant order of the multimedia. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. Conflict resolution between multimedia content is based upon exchanging a slot position of either of one of a first set and one of a second set of a category of multimedia content identifiers with another corresponding one of either of the first set and the second set of the multimedia content identifiers based upon a predetermined number of slot value to resolve the conflict and to modify at least the portion of the chronological scheduling order while adhering to constant order for the multimedia content. Modified portions of the chronological scheduling order are produced for eventual airplay of multimedia content corresponding to the multimedia content identifiers.

Multimedia scheduling for airplay with alternate category support

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.

Multi-shot scheduling system

A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of media content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. The broadcast day is divided into blocks of time that include multiple time slots. One of those time slots, a transition slot, is adjacent to another block of time. The transition slot can be scheduled using a different algorithm than the one used for scheduling the other slots in the same block. At least the transition slot can be scheduled to satisfy both horizontal and vertical adjacency requirements. The remaining slots can be scheduled by selecting a next available media item from one or more categories of media items associated with the block being scheduled.

Method and system for controlling a scheduling order

A system and method for controlling a scheduling order per category is disclosed. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. The scheduling order can be configured to include a forward order per category or a reverse order per category with respect to the playback of the multimedia content in order to control the scheduling order for the eventual airplay of the multimedia content over a radio station or network of associated radio stations. A reverse scheduling technique provides an ideal rotation of songs when a pre-programmed show interferes with a normal rotation. Any rotational compromises can be buried in off-peak audience listening hours of the programming day using the disclosed reverse scheduling technique.

A system and method for controlling a scheduling order per category is disclosed. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. The broadcast day is divided into dayparts according to specific time slots. The dayparts are assigned with specific daypart categories wherein multimedia is scheduled. The scheduling order can be configured to include a slotted by daypart scheduling technique to control the scheduling order for the eventual airplay of the multimedia content over a radio station or network of associated radio stations.

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Goldens Bridge, NY, United States of America

Nigel Attwell