Method and system of media programming to provide an integrated entertainment experience

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are described in which a plurality of mediums are selectively programmed with media content to provide an integrated entertainment experience to consumers. The content that is provided on different mediums is synchronized to provide different events, perspectives or experiences associated with a common storyline. Additional embodiments of the present invention are described in which commercial sponsorship of a program is provided within a storyline, such that sponsors are identified for purposes of brand recognition, or products and services from the sponsor are advertised/marketed or otherwise made directly available for purchase by consumers through synchronized programming of media content among a plurality of mediums.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for integrating media programming of a storyline among a plurality of mediums, comprising:
 creating a plurality of segments in a storyline;   for each segment, selecting at least one medium among a plurality of mediums for capturing media content relating to the segment in the storyline, wherein no single medium is selected for capturing all media content in the storyline; and   synchronizing programming of media content for each segment and selected medium,   whereby programmed media content is provided to consumers that access at least one selected medium to experience the storyline that is integrated among the selected mediums.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of mediums are available for access by consumers via a centralized access point. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein for accessing media content relating to a segment and programmed in a medium that is not available via the centralized access point, the location of the medium is referenced in a segment in the storyline. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein media content for each selected medium is programmed to be available for a duration of a time such that the storyline is experienced by consumers accessing any subset of selected mediums in any order. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of mediums are selected for capturing media content relating to a segment, and each medium provides media content to consumers in a different format. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the media content for the selected plurality of mediums is programmed to be available during overlapping time periods such that the storyline is experienced by consumers accessing any subset of selected mediums in any order. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of mediums are additionally programmed with media content for segments of other storylines in a program series, and wherein the programming of media content in each of the plurality of mediums is synchronized such that segments relating to a same time period in each of the storylines can be experienced by consumers during the same time period. 
     
     
         8 . A method for integrating media programming of a storyline among a plurality of mediums, comprising:
 creating a cast of characters for performing at least one storyline;   creating a plurality of media content relating to at least one storyline by incorporating activities by at least one character in the cast of characters;   for each created storyline, synchronizing programming of the plurality of among a plurality of mediums, where each medium provides media content to consumers in a different format.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a subset of the plurality of mediums are comprised of a plurality of sub-mediums and each sub-medium receives media content to provide to consumers from a different perspective of the storyline. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cast of characters includes living and fictional characters. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least one character is associated with a product or service from a corporate sponsor, and media content relating to a storyline incorporates activities by the at least one character that provide brand identification or product marketing for the corporate sponsor. 
     
     
         12 . A method for integrating media programming among a plurality of mediums, comprising:
 creating a plot for media programming;   identifying a plurality of sequences in the plot; and   selecting a plurality of entertainment mediums for programming sequences in the plot,   wherein at least one sequence is programmed in a different entertainment medium from another sequence.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each sequence is a successive episode, and sequences are programmed to be provided on respective entertainment mediums in chronological order. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein consumers access at least a subset of the plurality of entertainment mediums to receive media programming of the plot to receive an integrated entertainment experience. 
     
     
         15 . A method for integrating media programming among a plurality of mediums, comprising:
 creating a storyline for programming to consumers;   identifying aspects of the storyline of interest to particular demographic groups identified by a sponsor; and   for an identified aspect, programming a plurality of mediums with content that is associated with the aspect,   wherein the programming provides brand identification for the sponsor within the storyline.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the programming is comprised of events involving a cast of characters, and at least one character is associated with a sponsor or with products or services offered by a sponsor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least one character is a non-actor who is affiliated with the sponsor. 
     
     
         18 . A method for marketing to consumers of media programming, comprising:
 creating a storyline for providing synchronized programming among a plurality of mediums to consumers;   obtaining sponsorship from a sponsor for the programming;   identifying an aspect of the storyline that can be associated with the sponsor;   selecting at least one medium for providing programming relating to the identified aspect of the storyline and for including at least one of a reference to the sponsor or an offer to purchase a product or service of the sponsor; and   adding programming within the storyline relating to the sponsor.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the programming provided on the at least one medium includes a retail website, and offers to purchase a product or service of the sponsor are provided through a retail website that is identified in accordance with the identified aspect of the storyline. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein at least one aspect of the storyline is associated with a product or service of the sponsor by determining whether the aspect of the storyline is compatible with the type of goods or services provided by the sponsor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein at least one aspect of the storyline is associated with a product or service of the sponsor by determining whether the aspect of the storyline appeals to consumers in a demographics group to which the sponsor desires to market goods or services. 
     
     
         22 . A system for integrating media programming of a storyline comprising a plurality of entertainment mediums, wherein each of the mediums presents media content in a different format, and the mediums are selectively programmed with media content such that different events in a common storyline that are associated with different formats are provided on mediums of a corresponding format, and the programming of each of the mediums is synchronized such that the storyline is experienced by consumers accessing any subset of the plurality of mediums in any order.