Method of utilizing a single uniform resource locator for resources with multiple formats

摘要

A broadcast system for streaming media is provided. A tiered hierarchy of network components each receive broadcast media streams, store popular content, and serve media to clients. The system allows for content hosting for resources having multiple formats and employs a single URL for a resource having multiple formats. A testing component uses information regarding the client and service provider provided in the metafile corresponding to a resource request to determine the type of client and to redirect the client to a server that can service the request.