WO2009108382A1

WO2009108382A1 - Online radio portal for syndicating radio broadcasts

Info

Publication number: WO2009108382A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/001304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael D. Jenkins
Original assignee: Nextshow Entertainment, Inc.
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2009-02-27
Publication date: 2009-09-03

Abstract

Software is provided for syndicating radio programming to an online environment. The software includes computer readable instructions embedded on media and operable when executed to receive a first transmission comprising audio and video associated with a first radio broadcast; receive a second transmission comprised of video advertising for a third-party associated with the first transmission present the first transmission to a user via an online portal configured to display the first transmission; and present the second transmission to the user via the online portal during broadcast of the associated first transmission.

Description

ONLINE RADIO PORTAL FOR SYNDICATING RADIO BROADCASTS

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/032,751, filed on February 29, 2008, which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference hereto.

Field

[0002] The present invention generally regards online radio portals and, more particularly, online radio portals for syndicating radio broadcasts.

Background [0003] Online radio stations broadcast music and other programming to computer users through the Internet. Typically a computer user will go to a favorite radio station's website to access a broadcast. However, the inconvenience of navigating to a separate website each time a computer user wishes to switch radio stations has led to the emergence of online radio portals.

[0004] A typical online radio portal may take the form of an internet website or a software application located and run on a user computer that interfaces with the computer's internet connection. In either instance, the portal provides the user with access to a plurality of online radio broadcasts, usually selectable from a graphical interface. The computer user is thus able to easily switch between available online broadcasts through a single website and/or interface, rather than navigating to the various websites maintained by individual broadcasters. While the computer user is able to use an online radio portal to quickly switch between online broadcasts, the user is not able to view any other media and/or advertisements otherwise present on the individual broadcasters' websites. There are also several other deficiencies with existing online radio portals. Summary

[0005] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide for systems and software for implementing, executing, or otherwise managing an online radio portal for syndicating radio broadcasts and/or streaming video of radio broadcasts; systems and software for implementing, executing, or otherwise managing video interviews provided in conjunction with radio broadcasts which may, for example, be streamed live to a user or may be prerecorded for presentment on demand; and software for implementing, executing, or otherwise managing video advertising. Further, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be configured to stream live, time delayed, or pre-recorded concerts to a user of the online radio portal and/or configured to host a contest on the online radio portal. Embodiments of the present invention may additionally be provided in conjunction with an entertainment platform.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, software is provided for syndicating radio programming to an online environment. The software includes computer readable instructions embedded on media and operable when executed to receive a first transmission comprising audio and video associated with a first radio broadcast; receive a second transmission comprised of video advertising for a third-party associated with the first transmission; present the first transmission to a user via an online portal configured to display the first transmission; and present the second transmission to the user via the online portal during broadcast of the associated first transmission.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates an environment of systems and software that allows for an online radio portal for syndicating radio broadcast transmissions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a software environment that allows for the simultaneous presentment of at least two audio and/or video broadcasts via an online radio portal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 illustrates an environment of systems and software that allows for the incorporation of an online radio portal within an entertainment platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0010] The present disclosure provides various embodiments of systems and software for implementing, executing, or otherwise managing an online radio portal for syndicating radio broadcasts. The software may provide an online radio portal associated with a plurality of broadcaster-specific pages. Each page within the online radio portal may be associated with one of a plurality of broadcasters, wherein each page is uniquely designed by the associated broadcaster. A server or other computer may receive transmissions from a plurality of broadcasters, whether broadcast terrestrially, via satellite, via a computer network such as the internet, or otherwise. Each page of the online radio portal may be configured to stream the radio broadcast transmitted by the page's associated broadcaster. Users of the online radio portal may selectively navigate to each of the plurality of pages within the portal to listen to the radio feeds of the corresponding plurality of broadcasters.

[0011] Additionally, this disclosure provides various embodiments of systems and software for implementing, executing, or otherwise managing an online radio portal for syndicating streaming video of radio broadcasts. The software may first receive a first transmission from a first radio broadcaster, wherein the first transmission includes both the audio portion and video of a radio broadcast. The software may then relay the first transmission to an online web-based portal configured to display the first transmission to at least one user. The portal may stream the transmission either live, on a time-delay, or as a pre-recorded data stream.

[0012] Further, this disclosure provides various embodiments of systems and software for implementing, executing, or otherwise managing video interviews provided in conjunction with radio broadcasts. The software may first receive a first transmission from a first radio broadcaster, wherein the first transmission includes both the audio and video portions of a radio broadcast corresponding to a first location, for example, the location of an interviewer. The video of the radio broadcast is captured by a first video recording device. The software also receives at least one additional transmission from at least one secondary video recording device capturing video data distinct from that captured by the first video recording device, the additional transmission including at least a video portion synchronized with the first transmission, so as to allow presentment of the first transmission simultaneously and in conjunction with at least one additional transmission. The additional transmission could, additionally, have a separate, corresponding audio portion captured by an audio recording device corresponding to the video portion of the additional transmission. Furthermore, the additional transmission may correspond to that of an interviewee, for example, an interviewee located outside of the field of view of a first video recording device, whether within the same room as the interviewer or wholly removed from the location of the interviewer.

[0013] Upon capturing a first transmission and at least one additional transmission, the software may then relay the first transmission to an online radio portal configured to display the first transmission simultaneously with at least one additional transmission to a first user. The simultaneous display of the first and at least one additional transmission can be presented, for example, in separate viewing windows presented on a single display or may be presented in split screen format within a single window on a single display. These video interviews may, for example, be streamed live to a user or may be pre-recorded for presentment on demand. Additionally, the first and at least one additional transmission may be relayed either as a single, unified data stream or as separate data streams. In some embodiments access to a live or pre-recorded interview could be provided only after a user pays for, or is otherwise awarded access to, the interview. Additional embodiments may allow users of the online radio portal to interact with the broadcast interview via the online radio portal, for example the online radio portal could be configured to receive and transmit questions or other communications from online radio portal users to the interviewer or interviewee. In some instances, the communications may include either video or audio communications.

[0014] Further, this disclosure provides various embodiments of software for implementing, executing, or otherwise managing video advertising. This advertising may be provided in conjunction with streaming video of radio broadcasts. The software may receive a first transmission comprised of audio and video from a first radio broadcast to a first user via an online radio portal configured to display the first transmission. Additionally, the software may receive a second transmission associated with the first transmission containing, video advertising. The software may then present the first transmission to a first user via an online radio portal capable of displaying the first transmission. During the broadcast of the first transmission, the second transmission containing the video advertising may be presented to the first user. Additionally, the second transmission may be presented in the same or a separate display window as the first transmission. When presented in the same display window, the second transmission may, for example, temporarily interrupt display of the first transmission, or be displayed on top of the first transmission, superimposing the second transmission on the first transmission so as to allow both transmissions to be viewed simultaneously in the same display window.

[0015] Additionally, the video advertisement may be user-interactive by employing hyper linking, instant messaging, chat, or other utilizations. Other embodiments provided may present hyperlinked banners, audio, or other rich media advertisements to users of the online radio portal in addition to, or in lieu of video advertisements. Additionally, advertisements could be customized to the broadcaster-specific page, and/or customized to the user of the portal using cookies, cached user profile data, or other implementations known in the art for capturing and/or utilizing user profile data or customizing online advertisements. Advertisements may also be capable of capturing data from online visitors who interact with advertisements to provide advertisement purchasers, broadcasters affiliated with the online radio portal, etc., with advertisement impact data as well as real-time marketing data. Further, advertisements could be provided so as to initiate live communication between a user of the portal and the sponsor of the advertisement. For example, a first video advertisement may be provided by or on behalf of a first sponsor. The first video advertisement may be configured to open a live online communication between the user and a live representative of the first sponsor when the user clicks on, or otherwise engages the advertisement displayed to the user. The live online communication could take any form known in the art, such as an online chat box, bidirectional voice over internet communication, or video with voice over internet communication, as examples. Various levels and types of monetization may be associated with each type of advertisement. For instance, interactive advertisements may provide a first monetization level based on view, while a second level is based on interaction. Further, if a sale or other transaction is completed, a third level of monetization may be provided. For banner advertisements, a first monetization level may be provided per view, while a second monetization level may be provided for each click-through or visit to a hyperlinked site. Still further, video advertisements may be monetized at several levels, including one level for viewing and another for user interaction with the video advertisement. Other types of monetization may be applied to the advertisements presented to the first user.

[0016] In addition to advertisements, this disclosure provides other revenue-generating embodiments. For example, the online radio portal may be configured to stream live, time delayed, or pre-recorded concerts to a user of the online radio portal. The streamed concert transmission incorporates at least an audio component, but may also incorporate a corresponding video component. The portal may restrict a user's access to the streamed concert content, for example, only displaying the content after a user pays a certain fee, such as a pay-per-view fee or a membership fee. As another example, access to the streamed concert content could be granted in conjunction with participation in a contest hosted by broadcaster- specific pages or the online radio portal generally.

[0017] Additionally, in other embodiments, a method for hosting a contest on the online radio portal may be provided. The portal displays an invitation to participate in an online contest. The portal then collects payment information from a user seeking to enter the contest. Participation in the contest may require the user to pay an entry fee, pay a membership fee, or otherwise enter the contest. At least one winning entrant is selected from a plurality of entrants according to customizable contest rules. The portal then presents the at least one winning entrant with a prize. The prize may, for example, be access to certain exclusive streaming content capable of being provided by the online radio portal, electronic tickets to live concerts, or any other prizes desired by the contest sponsors. Contest sponsors may include an operator of the online radio portal or one or more broadcasters participating in the online radio portal.

[0018] The online radio portal for syndicating radio broadcasts, including embodiments described herein, may additionally be provided in conjunction with an entertainment platform. This platform can include a number of tightly integrated modules including, for example, a music module, a music industry (multi-media) exchange directory module, an artist marketing module, and social networking/media aggregation and presentment module. In some instances, the online radio portal may also be one of the modules of the entertainment platform. These modules and their underlying data could be fully searchable, with searches based on a number of criteria, including media content found on social networks, as well as detailed audience demographics. For example, the platform can implement a layered advanced search that allows for quickly locating artists/musicians and radio broadcaster pages that are popular with their target audience (e.g., booking agencies, entertainment buyers, song writers, record labels, consumers, fans, and others). The software may also allow the user to cache data pools using a layer by layer advanced demographic classification, with each advancing pool becoming more specs is to the user's search. The profiling software allows the user to design, perhaps by template, the profile of the entertainer, radio broadcaster, or genre they are searching for. This profile can then be used to automatically search the entertainment database, extrapolate the desired data identifying entertainers and radio broadcaster pages fitting the profile, put the data in a formal report, and send the report via email to the user conducting the search.

[0019] The online radio portal for syndicating radio broadcasts, including embodiments described herein, may additionally be provided in conjunction with an entertainment platform such as the entertainment platform described in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/037,763 entitled Entertainment Platform with Layered Advanced Search and Profiling Technology, filed February 26, 2008, which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference hereto. [0020] Some or all of the aspects of the software for implementing, executing, or otherwise managing an online radio portal for syndicating radio broadcasts may be further included in respective systems, networks, or other devices for executing, implementing, or otherwise supporting a suitable software application.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the online radio portal includes or is communicably coupled with a server, one or more clients, and a network. The server includes memory and one or more processors and comprises an electronic computing device operable to receive, transmit, process, store or manage data associated with the system. Generally, this disclosure provides merely one example of computers that may be used with the disclosure. As used in this document, the term "computer" is intended to encompass any suitable processing device. For example, the platform can be implemented using computers other than servers, as well as a server pool. Indeed, the server may be any computer or processing device such as, for example, a blade server, general purpose personal computer (PC), Macintosh, workstation, Unix-based computer, or any other suitable device, hi other words, the present disclosure contemplates computers other than general purpose computers as well as computers without conventional operating systems. The server may be adapted to execute any operating platform including Linux, UNIX, Windows Server, or any other suitable operating system. According to one embodiment, the server may also include or be communicably coupled with a web server and/or a mail server.

[0022] Memory may include any memory or database module and may take the form of volatile or non- volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component. For example, the memory may store classes, frameworks, applications, backup data, jobs, or other information that includes any parameters, variables, algorithms, instructions, rules, or references thereto. The memory may also include any other appropriate data such as VPN applications, firmware logs and policies, firewall policies, a security or access log, print or other reporting files, HTML files or templates, and others.

[0023] The server also includes a processor. The processor executes instructions and manipulates data to perform the operations of the server such as, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a blade, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field- programmable gate array (FPGA). Although described as a single processor in the server, multiple processors may be used according to particular needs and reference to processor is meant to include multiple processors where applicable, hi certain embodiments, the processor executes an entertainment engine, which is any software operable to invoke or execute certain described processes such as the online radio portal. Regardless of the particular implementation, "software" may include software, firmware, wired or programmed hardware, or any combination thereof as appropriate. Indeed, the entertainment engine may be written or described in any appropriate computer language including C, C++, Java, Visual Basic, assembler, Perl, any suitable version of 4GL, as well as others. It will be understood that the environment may include any number of sub-modules, such as a business application and third party modules, but it may instead be a single multi- tasked module that implements the various features and functionality through various objects, methods, or other processes. Further, while described as internal to the server, one or more processes associated with entertainment engine may be stored, referenced, or executed remotely. For example, a portion of the entertainment engine may be a local library or process, while another portion of the entertainment engine may be an object bundled for processing at a remote client. In another example, the majority of processes or modules may reside - or processing take place - on the client. Moreover, the entertainment engine may be a child or sub-module of another software module or enterprise application without departing from the scope of this disclosure. [0024] Returning to the example server, the server may also include an interface for communicating with other computer systems, such as the clients, over the network in a client- server or other distributed environment. Generally, the interface comprises logic encoded in software and/or hardware in a suitable combination and operable to communicate with the network. More specifically, the interface may comprise software supporting one or more communications protocols associated with communications such that the network or hardware is operable to communicate physical signals. [0025] The network facilitates wireless or wireline communication between the server and any other local or remote computer, such as the clients. The network may be all or a portion of an enterprise or secured network. In another example, the network may be a virtual private network (VPN) merely between the server and the client across wireline or wireless link. Such an example wireless link may be via 802.1 Ia, 802.1 Ib, 802.1 Ig, 802.1 In, 802.20, WiMax, and many others. While described as a single or continuous network, the network may be logically divided into various sub-nets or virtual networks without departing from the scope of this disclosure, so long as at least portion of the network may facilitate communications between the server and at least one client. In other words, the network encompasses any internal or external network, networks, sub-network, or combination thereof operable to facilitate communications between various computing components in the system. The network may communicate, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, Frame Relay frames, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells, voice, video, data, and other suitable information between network addresses. The network may include one or more local area networks (LANs), radio access networks (RANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), all or a portion of the global computer network known as the Internet, and/or any other communication platform or systems at one or more locations, hi certain embodiments the network may be a secure network associated with the enterprise and certain local or remote the clients. [0026] The client is any computing device operable to connect or communicate with the server or the network using a wireless connection. At a high level, each client includes at least the graphical user interface (GUI) and, in some cases, an agent and comprises an electronic computing device operable to receive, transmit, process and store any appropriate data associated with the backup system. It will be understood that there may be any number of the clients communicably coupled to the server. For example, the clients can include one local client and three external clients to the illustrated portion of the network. Further, "the client," "customer," and "user" may be used interchangeably as appropriate without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the entertainer may also be a user of the client. Moreover, for ease of illustration, each client is described in terms of being used by one user. But this disclosure contemplates that many users may use one computer or that one user may use multiple computers. As used in this disclosure, the client is intended to encompass a personal computer, touch screen terminal, workstation, network computer, kiosk, wireless data port, smart phone, personal data assistant (PDA), one or more processors within these or other devices, or any other suitable processing device. For example, the client may be a laptop that includes an input device, such as a keypad, touch screen, mouse, or other device that can accept information, and an output device that conveys information associated with the operation of the server or the clients, including digital data, visual information, or the GUI. Both the input device and output device may include fixed or removable storage media such as a magnetic computer disk, CD-ROM, or other suitable media to both receive input from and provide output to users of the clients through the display, namely the GUI.

[0027] The GUI comprises a graphical user interface operable to, for example, allow: i) the developer to interact in a development environment; or ii) the user of the client to interface with at least a portion of the platform for any suitable purpose. Generally, the GUI provides the particular user with an efficient and user-friendly presentation of data provided by or communicated within the system. The GUI may comprise a plurality of customizable frames or views having interactive fields, pull-down lists, and buttons operated by the user. The GUI is often configurable, supports a combination of tables and graphs (bar, line, pie, status dials, etc.), and is able to build real-time portals, where tabs are delineated by key characteristics (e.g. site or micro-site). The GUI is further operable to generate or request historical reports. Generally, historical reports provide critical information on what has happened including static or canned reports that require no input from the user and dynamic reports that quickly gather run-time information to generate the report. Therefore, the GUI contemplates any graphical user interface, such as a generic web browser, touch screen, or command line interface (CLI) that processes information in the platform and efficiently presents the results to the user. The server can accept data from the client via the web browser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera) and return the appropriate HTML or XML responses using the network. The client may also include, reference, or execute an agent to assist in data gaming. The agent may be any script, library, object, executable, service, daemon, or other process.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates an environment 100 for the implementation of an online radio portal associated with a plurality of broadcaster-specific pages. In accordance with particular implementations, illustrated environment 100 includes the online radio portal 115 connected to a network 110, such as the internet, through which a user device 105 accesses the online radio portal. The user device 105 may be a personal computer, touch screen terminal, workstation, network computer, kiosk, wireless data port, smart phone, personal data assistant, or any other device capable of connecting to the network 110 and processing the audio and/or video data accessed on each broadcaster specific page 120.

[0029] The Online radio portal 115 includes a plurality of broadcaster specific pages 120, each uniquely designed by the associated broadcaster, the manager of the online radio portal, and/or a user of the online radio portal. Via a user device 105, a user of the online radio portal 115 may selectively navigate to each of the plurality of pages within the portal to listen to and/or view the media content provided by the corresponding broadcaster. [0030] A server 125 or other similar computing system receives a plurality of external broadcaster transmissions 130. Transmissions 130 may be broadcast terrestrially, via satellite, via a computer network such as the internet, or otherwise. These external broadcaster transmissions 130 may include audio, video, or a combination of both. Upon accessing a unique broadcaster specific page 120 with an appropriate user device 105, a user is able to access an external broadcaster transmission 130 associated with that broadcaster specific page as passed to the online radio portal 115 via the server 125. According to one implementation, the external broadcaster transmission 130 includes an audio and/or video data stream, with the transmission presented live, on a time-delay, or as a pre-recorded data stream.

[0031] The server 125 may include an electronic computing device operable to receive, transmit, process, store, or manage data associated with the environment 100. Generally, this disclosure provides merely one example of computers that may be used with the disclosure. The term computer is intended to encompass any suitable processing device. For example, the environment 100 may be implemented using computers other than servers, as well as a server pool. The server 125 may be adapted to execute any operating system including Linux, UNTX, Windows, or any other suitable operating system.

[0032] Figure 2 illustrates an environment 200 for the implementation of an online radio portal configured to transmit one or several broadcasts to a user simultaneously. In accordance with particular implementations, illustrated environment 200 includes the online radio portal 220 and associated software 215 that allows for the transmission of audio and/or video broadcasts to users via the web-based online radio portal 220. In an embodiment, the environment 200 allows for the transmission of a single audio and/or video data source 205 to a user device 225 via the online radio portal 220. In another embodiment, the software 215 may relay a first transmission 210 with at least one additional transmission 210 to the online radio portal for simultaneous presentment on an appropriate user device 225. In one embodiment, the first transmission 210 represents the primary media accessed by the user via an appropriate user device 225, and the additional transmission 210 represents an advertisement for a third party associated with the first transmission.

[0033] In accordance with particular implementations, a certain number N audio and/or video data sources 205 are captured by separate recording devices. The recording devices may include any device known in the art for the capture of audio and/or video data. These N recorded transmissions 210 are received by the software 215 associated with the online radio portal 220. The software 215 is configured to select and relay a subset of n transmissions to the online radio portal 220 for presentment to the user via an appropriate user device 225. Further, in some embodiments the user may interact with a transmission, such as through an interactive 2^nd transmission 210 representing an advertisement or contest entry and presented simultaneously with the 1^st transmission 210. In such embodiments, the user provides interactive input via the user device 225, which is then processed by the online radio portal 220.

[0034] Figure 3 illustrates an environment 300 for the implementation of online radio portal functionality in an entertainment platform 330. In accordance with particular implementations, illustrated environment 300 includes the entertainment platform 330 and online radio portal module 335 (running within a server 360) allowing in-depth layered searching, for example, searches as set forth in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/037,763 entitled Entertainment Platform with Layered Advanced Search and Profiling Technology, of a plurality of radio broadcaster pages 345 associated with one or more members and/or users of the entertainment platform 330. Each of the radio broadcaster pages 345 may be associated with one of a plurality of broadcasters, wherein each page is uniquely designed by the associated broadcaster, manager, and/or user of the online radio portal. The entertainment platform 330 and the online radio portal module 335 may provide layered advanced searches allowing a client 305 to quickly locate one or more radio broadcaster pages 345 that match a set of search criteria identified and submitted by the client 305. Searches may be based on any number of criteria associated with various radio broadcaster pages 345, including media content and pages associated with a target audience and/or demographic, as well as other information derived from direct or indirect relationships created in the entertainment platform 330. Further, the online radio portal module 335 may allow members or users to evaluate radio broadcaster pages 345 in advancing layer pools, for instance, by providing additional narrowing (or layered) search criteria to one or more sets of radio broadcaster pages returned from previous searches, continuing until a manageable or desired quantity of radio broadcaster pages 345 is identified. The layered searches of the plurality of radio broadcaster pages 345 allows members or users of the entertainment platform 330 to easily and more efficiently locate a set of radio broadcaster pages 345 matching a specific desired set of criteria.

[0035] Turning an example implementation of Figure 3, environment 300 includes, or is communicably coupled with, the server 360, one or more clients 305, a network 315, and one or more external data sources 365. The server 360 may include a memory 340, as well as one or more processors 325, and include an electronic computing device operable to receive, transmit, process, store, or manage data associated with the environment 300. Generally, this disclosure provides merely one example of computers that may be used with the disclosure. The term computer is intended to encompass any suitable processing device. For example, the environment 300 may be implemented using computers other than servers, as well as a server pool. Indeed, the server 360 may be adapted to execute any operating system including Linux, UNIX, Windows, or any other suitable operating system. According to one implementation, the server 360 may also include or be communicably coupled with a web server and/or a mail server.

[0036] Memory 340 may include any memory or database module and may take the form of volatile or non-volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component. For example, memory 140 may store classes, frameworks, applications, backup data, business objects, jobs, industry profiles, external data, various types of media (e.g., video, audio, or graphic), or other information that includes any parameters, variables, algorithms, instructions, rules, constraints, or references thereto. The memory 340 may also include any other appropriate data, such as virtual private network (VPN) applications, firmware logs and policies, firewall policies, a security or access log, print or other reporting files, HTML files or templates, and others.

[0037] Illustrated memory 340 may include a plurality of radio broadcaster pages 345 associated with the entertainment platform 330. While illustrated within memory 340 of Figure 1, one or more of the plurality of radio broadcaster pages 345 may be located outside memory 340 and/or the server 360 in some implementations. Additionally, the plurality of radio broadcaster pages 345 may initially be empty, full of templates, or have just one radio broadcaster page. Each radio broadcaster page 345 represents information and/or media specifically designed and/or selected by one of a plurality of broadcasters, each a member or user of the entertainment platform 330. The broadcaster, or any member or user creating an radio broadcaster page 345, may customize their broadcaster page using predefined templates, original artwork, and other suitable design techniques and tools. In some instances, third party designed templates may be associated with the radio broadcaster page 345 allowing for a more personalized and unique radio broadcaster page 345. The information comprising each industry profile 345 may be stored in memory 340 as an HTML file, XML file, a database file, a data file, a flat file, a comma-delimited file, media files such as audio or video media files, another appropriate storage type, or a combination thereof.

[0038] Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, it will be understood that the disclosed methods are for illustration purposes only and that the described or similar techniques may be performed at any appropriate time, including concurrently, individually, or in combination. In addition, many of the described steps may take place simultaneously and/or in different orders than as shown. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. Software for syndicating radio programming to an online environment, comprising computer readable instructions embedded on media and operable when executed to: receive a first transmission comprising audio and video associated with a first radio broadcast; receive a second transmission comprised of video advertising for a third-party associated with the first transmission; present the first transmission to a user via an online portal configured to display the first transmission; and present the second transmission to the user via the online portal during broadcast of the associated first transmission.

2. The software of claim 1, wherein the online portal includes a single display window configured to display the first transmission and the second transmission.

3. The software of claim 1, wherein the online portal includes a first display window configured to display the first transmission and a second display window configured to display the second transmission.

4. The software of claim 2, wherein the second transmission interrupts the display of the first transmission.

5. The software of claim 2, wherein the second transmission is simultaneously displayed with the first transmission.

6. The software of claim 1, wherein the second transmission is user-interactive.

7. The software of claim 6, wherein the second transmission includes at least one of a hyper-link, an instant message, a chat box, a hyperlinked banner and audio.

8. The software of claim 1 , further comprising presenting a third transmission to the user via the online portal during broadcast of the associated first transmission, the third transmission including at least one of a hyper-link, an instant message, a chat box, a hyperlinked banner and audio for the third party.

9. The software of claim 1, wherein the second transmission is presented to the user via the online portal at least one of before or after the broadcast of the associated first transmission.

10. The software of claim 1, wherein the second transmission is customized to the user using at least one of cookies and user profile data.

11. The software of claim 6, further comprising capturing data from the user after the user interacts with the second transmission.

12. The software of claim 6, wherein the second transmission is configured to open a live communication between the user and a representative of the third-party.

13. A system comprising: a network including an online radio portal; and a server including memory and one or more processors operable to: receive a first transmission comprising audio and video associated with a first radio broadcast; receive a second transmission comprised of video advertising for a third- party associated with the first transmission; present the first transmission to a user via the online radio portal configured to display the first transmission; and present the second transmission to the user via the online radio portal during broadcast of the associated first transmission.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the online portal includes a single display window configured to display the first transmission and the second transmission, the second transmission interrupting the display of the first transmission or simultaneously displayed with the first transmission.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the second transmission is user-interactive.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the second transmission is customized to the user using at least one of cookies and user profile data.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors capture data from the user after the user interacts with the second transmission.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the second transmission is configured to open a live communication between the user and a representative of the third-party.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the server includes an entertainment platform, the entertainment platform communicatively coupled to the online radio portal and including at least one of a music module, music industry exchange directory module, an artist marketing module and a social networking module.

20. A system comprising: a network; and a server including an interface, a memory and one or more processors and an entertainment platform, the memory including the entertainment platform including a radio portal module, a social networking module and at least one of a music module, music industry exchange directory module and an artist marketing module, the entertainment platform and its associated modules fully searchable, the processors operable to receive a first transmission comprising audio and video associated with a first radio broadcast; receive a second transmission comprised of video advertising for a third-party associated with the first transmission; present the first transmission to a user via the radio portal module configured to display the first transmission; and present the second transmission to the user via the radio portal module during broadcast of the associated first transmission, the interface configured to interact with the network.