A system and method for streaming customized audio is disclosed. The system and method allow for the selection of advertisements based on at least one feature of a listener and insertion of the selected advertisements into a customized digital audio stream subsequently transmitted to a particular listener. In a particular embodiment, the advertisement is provided as a text string which is converted into audio for insertion into customized digital audio stream.

A voice track (VT) device obtains a talent-to-master schedule and a station-to-master schedule. A master broadcast log, which includes an empty master VT associated with a user, is identified based on the talent-to-master schedule. The master broadcast log is displayed in a GUI on the VT recording device. User input selecting the empty master VT is received. Subscribing stations that use the identified master broadcast log as a basis for generating station broadcast logs are identified based on the station-to-master schedule, and obtained from the stations. For each station broadcast log that includes a station VT corresponding to the empty master VT, a match status is determined. The match status indicates whether media items scheduled for broadcast in slots adjacent to the station VT differ from media items scheduled for broadcast in slots adjacent to the empty master VT. Match statuses of station VTs corresponding to the empty master VT are displayed on a child window of the GUI.

A voice track (VT) device obtains a talent-to-master schedule and a station-to-master schedule. A master broadcast log, which includes an empty master VT associated with a user, is identified based on the talent-to-master schedule. The master broadcast log is displayed in a GUI on the VT recording device. User input selecting the empty master VT is received. Subscribing stations that use the identified master broadcast log as a basis for generating station broadcast logs are identified based on the station-to-master schedule, and obtained from the stations. For each station broadcast log that includes a station VT corresponding to the empty master VT, a match status is determined. The match status indicates whether media items scheduled for broadcast in slots adjacent to the station VT differ from media items scheduled for broadcast in slots adjacent to the empty master VT. Match statuses of station VTs corresponding to the empty master VT are displayed on a child window of the GUI.

A media distribution system includes an enterprise hub, which in turn includes a processor and memory, multiple media outlets, and multiple integrated services layers (ISLs) acting as intermediaries between the enterprise hub to the media outlets. A first media outlet is served by a single ISL, while a second media outlet is served redundantly by at least two ISLs.

A media distribution system includes an enterprise hub, which in turn includes a processor and memory, multiple media outlets, and multiple integrated services layers (ISLs) acting as intermediaries between the enterprise hub to the media outlets. A first media outlet is served by a single ISL, while a second media outlet is served redundantly by at least two ISLs.

Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products provide social and interactive applications for mass media based on real time ambient-audio and/or video identification. In some implementations, a method includes: receiving descriptors identifying ambient audio associated with a media broadcast; comparing the descriptors to one or more reference descriptors; and determining a rating for the media broadcast based at least in part on the results of the comparison.

A method of constructing and handling a request for a desired data file relating to a broadcast segment of a broadcast signal is described. The method comprises receiving an information signal at a receiving device. The information signal comprises at least a data element, and the data element relates to a segment of the broadcast signal. The method also comprises presenting the data element to a user interface of the receiving device, obtaining a user selection of the data element from the user interface, and constructing and transmitting a request for the desired data file relating to the selected data element, the request including an identifier relating to the desired data file.

A method of constructing and handling a request for a desired data file relating to a broadcast segment of a broadcast signal is described. The method comprises receiving an information signal at a receiving device. The information signal comprises at least a data element, and the data element relates to a segment of the broadcast signal. The method also comprises presenting the data element to a user interface of the receiving device, obtaining a user selection of the data element from the user interface, and constructing and transmitting a request for the desired data file relating to the selected data element, the request including an identifier relating to the desired data file.

Provided is an apparatus and method for inserting an advertisement in a broadcasting system based on adaptive streaming. To this end, content related information for advertisement content is generated by an advertisement providing server and a content transmitting server. A client is informed of an update required time of the content related information to receive new content related information from the content transmitting server. Therefore, the advertisement content can be reproduced in a set period.

Provided is an apparatus and method for inserting an advertisement in a broadcasting system based on adaptive streaming. To this end, content related information for advertisement content is generated by an advertisement providing server and a content transmitting server. A client is informed of an update required time of the content related information to receive new content related information from the content transmitting server. Therefore, the advertisement content can be reproduced in a set period.