The system and method for streaming media to a viewer and managing the
media comprises and an enhanced service routing processor (ESRP), a real
time switch management system (RTSMS), a name routing processor (NRP),
and a managed media switch (MMS). The system and method operate with a
reservation server. The ESRP receives media from an owner, manages the
media according to media rules and order rules defined by the owner, and
distributes the media to one or more switches, such as the MMS, according
to the media rules and the order rules. The RTSMS is configured to
receive the media rules and to receive a viewer's media request via the
reservation server. The RTSMS processes the media request according to
the media rules and builds a reservation for the requested media. The
RTSMS generates the reservation to the viewer and to the NRP. The NRP
receives the reservation data from the viewer and from the RTSMS. The NRP
processes the reservation data and locates an MMS that can stream the
media to the viewer. The NRP transmits the IP address of the MMS to the
viewer and transmits the reservation data to the MMS. The viewer
initiates a session or connection with the MMS using the reservation
number. If the reservation data from the viewer matches the reservation
data from the NRP, the MMS streams the media to the viewer.