One or more target schedules is generated based on a single master schedule. Replacement media items are inserted into a target schedule instead of the corresponding media items from the master schedule. The replacement media items are selected from a list of potential media replacement items scored using a scoring method used by a music scheduling system, as corresponding media items in the master schedule. The length of the media items in the list is checked to see if the length falls within a duration delta of the length of the media item being replaced in the master schedule, and to identify items that meet a minimum score threshold. The highest ranking item from the list that satisfies both the score threshold and the duration delta is selected for insertion in the target schedule. Music scheduling systems, such as GSelector®, can be leveraged to generate and score the list.

One or more target schedules is generated based on a single master schedule. Replacement media items are inserted into a target schedule instead of the corresponding media items from the master schedule. The replacement media items are selected from a list of potential media replacement items scored using a scoring method used by a music scheduling system, as corresponding media items in the master schedule. The length of the media items in the list is checked to see if the length falls within a duration delta of the length of the media item being replaced in the master schedule, and to identify items that meet a minimum score threshold. The highest ranking item from the list that satisfies both the score threshold and the duration delta is selected for insertion in the target schedule. Music scheduling systems, such as GSelector®, can be leveraged to generate and score the list.

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for prioritizing content delivery. Content files associated with one of a plurality of content types are received and saved in one of a plurality of delivery queues according to the content type of the content file where each delivery queue is associated with a priority. In turn, the content files saved in the plurality of delivery queues are delivered over one or more networks to one or more affiliate systems. The transmission order of the content files is based on the priority of the delivery queue.

Systems and processes are provided for a micro ATSC transmitter including a satellite signal decoder configured to decode a satellite broadcast signal to generate a received audio video program, a data decoder configured to decoding a data signal from an ATSC broadcaster, a video processor configured to generate an altered audio video program in response to the received audio video program and the data signal, an ATSC encoder configured to encode the altered audio video program to generate an ATSC broadcast signal, and an ATSC transmitter configured to transmit the ATSC broadcast signal.

A communication apparatus for a transmitter tower station (TTS) of a broadcast system includes a first transmitter (Tx) antenna to transmit a broadcast signal to a plurality of customer receivers, and one or more second, directional Tx antennas to transmit a first ITC signal to another TTS. A Tx signal processor is coupled to the first Tx antenna and the one or more second Tx antennas to perform a MIMO encoding of the first ITC signal to transmit with, at least, the one or more second Tx antennas. At least two receiver (Rx) antennas and an Rx signal processor coupled thereto are provided to receive from another TTS, and to decode, a MIMO-encoded second ITC signal to extract ITC information therefrom.

A communication apparatus for a transmitter tower station (TTS) of a broadcast system includes a first transmitter (Tx) antenna to transmit a broadcast signal to a plurality of customer receivers, and one or more second, directional Tx antennas to transmit a first ITC signal to another TTS. A Tx signal processor is coupled to the first Tx antenna and the one or more second Tx antennas to perform a MIMO encoding of the first ITC signal to transmit with, at least, the one or more second Tx antennas. At least two receiver (Rx) antennas and an Rx signal processor coupled thereto are provided to receive from another TTS, and to decode, a MIMO-encoded second ITC signal to extract ITC information therefrom.

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for prioritizing content delivery. Content files associated with one of a plurality of content types are received and saved in one of a plurality of delivery queues according to the content type of the content file where each delivery queue is associated with a priority. In turn, the content files saved in the plurality of delivery queues are delivered over one or more networks to one or more affiliate systems. The transmission order of the content files is based on the priority of the delivery queue.

Systems and processes are provided for a micro ATSC transmitter including a satellite signal decoder configured to decode a satellite broadcast signal to generate a received audio video program, a data decoder configured to decoding a data signal from an ATSC broadcaster, a video processor configured to generate an altered audio video program in response to the received audio video program and the data signal, an ATSC encoder configured to encode the altered audio video program to generate an ATSC broadcast signal, and an ATSC transmitter configured to transmit the ATSC broadcast signal.

A method performed by a cloud-based connected radio service associated with broadcast radio stations includes: receiving cellular network information and broadcast radio audio stream information from multiple client radios over wireless data connections with the multiple client radios; upon determining that the multiple client radios are all simultaneously accessing a same unicast audio stream associated with a particular broadcast radio station among the broadcast radio stations over a same cellular network based on the cellular network information and the broadcast radio audio stream information, configuring the same cellular network to convert a designated audio stream associated with the particular broadcast radio station to a multicast audio stream; and upon receiving a multicast address for the multicast audio stream from the same cellular network, sending the multicast address to the multiple client radios over the wireless data connections to enable the multiple client radios to access the multicast audio stream.

A method performed by a cloud-based connected radio service associated with broadcast radio stations includes: receiving cellular network information and broadcast radio audio stream information from multiple client radios over wireless data connections with the multiple client radios; upon determining that the multiple client radios are all simultaneously accessing a same unicast audio stream associated with a particular broadcast radio station among the broadcast radio stations over a same cellular network based on the cellular network information and the broadcast radio audio stream information, configuring the same cellular network to convert a designated audio stream associated with the particular broadcast radio station to a multicast audio stream; and upon receiving a multicast address for the multicast audio stream from the same cellular network, sending the multicast address to the multiple client radios over the wireless data connections to enable the multiple client radios to access the multicast audio stream.