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Systems and methods for receiving and sponsoring media content

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/551,698, filed Oct. 20, 2006, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECEIVING AND SPONSORING MEDIA CONTENT

1. Field

This disclosure relates to systems and methods for managing media. In particular, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for receiving, publishing and sponsoring.

2. General Background

The expansion of the Internet and the World Wide Web (“web”) has given computer users the enhanced ability to listen to and to watch various forms of media through their computers, handheld devices, etc. Such media can be in the form of audio music, music videos, and television programs, sporting events or any other form of audio or video media that a user wishes to watch or listen to. Media is now overwhelmingly being distributed through computer networks. As a result, effective media creation and distribution has become accessible to small artists and media producers. Likewise, consumer access to media content on the Internet has increased significantly. Therefore, popularity of media content on the Internet can be a good indicator of the overall success of a media item.

In one aspect, there is a method of sponsoring a media item. A media item is received from a submitter. The media item is published for consumer access. Requests for the media item are received from media consumers. A number of consumer requests for the media item is counted. A determination is made as to whether the number of consumer requests for the media item is higher than a predetermined threshold of popularity. If the number of consumer requests for the media item is determined to be higher than the predetermined threshold of popularity, the media item is sponsored on a webcast station. The media item can be a song, video, or image.

In further aspects, sponsoring the media item comprises broadcasting the media item on a webcast television station, broadcasting the media item on a webcast radio station, transmitting the media item to a consumer for a subscription fee, or transmitting the media item to a consumer for a downloading fee.

In a further aspect, the consumer request being counted can correspond to requests from all consumers who have requested the media item. In another aspect, the consumer requests being counted can correspond to requests submitted by one consumer such that determining if the number of consumer requests for the media item is higher than a predetermined threshold of popularity comprises determining if the number of consumer requests by the one consumer is higher than an average of per-user requests expected. In a further aspect, consumer requests can include bookmaking.

In a further aspect, feedback is provided to the submitter based on consumer requests for the media item. The feedback provided to the submitter includes a number of consumer requests for the media item. Furthermore, the feedback to the submitter can include a number of consumers requesting the media item.

In another aspect, there is system of sponsoring a media item comprising a media submission module, a media rendering module, and a media sponsoring module. The media submission module receives a media item from a submitter. The media rendering module publishes the media item so that consumers can request the media item. The media rendering module can be configured to count a number of consumer requests for the media item. The media sponsoring module is configured to determine if the number of consumer requests for the media item is higher than a predetermined threshold of popularity.

In another aspect, there is a method of sponsoring a media item. A media item is received at a receiving computer server from a submitter. The media item can be published for consumer access. The media item can be published through a computer network so that consumers can request the media item from a transmitting computer server. Ratings of the media item can be received from the consumers. A high level of popularity of the media item can be established if consumer ratings received from the consumers of the media item reach a predetermined threshold of popularity. The media item can be sponsored if the high level of popularity has been established.

In another aspect, method of sponsoring a media item. A media item is received from a submitter. The media item can be published for consumer access. The media item can be published through a computer network so that consumers can request the media item. It is determined that the media item has reached a first threshold of popularity. If the media item has reached the first threshold of popularity, the media item is sponsored at a first sponsoring level. A determination is made as to whether the media item has reached a second threshold of popularity. If the media item has reached the second threshold of popularity, the media item is sponsored at a second sponsoring level.

The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a system for submitting in publishing media, according to one embodiment.