a scalable architecture delivers real - time streaming media over a communications network , using a streaming media server system for efficient delivery of a plurality of streams including live , simulated live or looping programming , relayed streams , and on - demand media is described . efficiency is attained using no load or low load control and processing of streams , including high - quality audio , video , graphics , text , or other types of information transmitted over a network . the server system operates in a total media delivery system which includes a plurality of streaming servers , a data storage system , a database , and front end and back end networks to deliver data to the various subsystems . the streaming server utilizes just - in - time playlist simulation , dynamic allocation of servers to listeners , and other techniques to reduce the computational , storage and network requirements of delivering streaming media .