Dynamic audio file generation

A method for execution by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a server computer, the method comprising:

• obtaining first user input specifying a first file location associated with a first source of media content, and a second user input specifying a second file location associated with a backup source of the media content;
• generating, by the server computer, a dynamic media file, wherein generating the dynamic media file includes
• inserting a content-source link to the first file location into the dynamic media file;
• inserting a backup-source link to the second file location into the dynamic media file;
• inserting an expiration time into the dynamic media file, wherein the expiration time indicates a length of time after which content of the dynamic media file will be deemed stale;
• inserting an expiration resolution into the dynamic media;
• transmitting the dynamic media file to a computing device, wherein a media player being executed on the computing device attempts to retrieve the media content from the first file location, and in response to being unable to retrieve the media content from the first file location, attempts to retrieve the media content from the second file location;
• and
• controlling updater software being executed on the computing device to shift an update time of the dynamic media file based on the expiration resolution.

A server computer comprising:

• an interface configured to interface and communicate with a communication system;
• memory that stores operational instructions;
• and
• processing circuitry operably coupled to the interface and to the memory, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
• receive user profile information;
• obtain first user input specifying a first file location associated with pre-roll content, and second user input specifying a second file location associated with time-sensitive content;
• generate a dynamic media file based at least in part on the user profile information, wherein generating the dynamic media file includes
• inserting a first link to the first file location into the dynamic media file;
• inserting a second link to the second file location into the dynamic media file;
• inserting an expiration time into the dynamic media file, wherein the expiration time indicates a length of time after which content of the dynamic media file will be deemed stale;
• inserting an expiration resolution into the dynamic media file;
• generate a playlist;
• insert the dynamic media file in the playlist;
• transmit the playlist to a computing device, wherein a media player being executed on the computing device retrieves the pre-roll content from the first file location and plays out the pre-roll content, and obtains the time-sensitive content from the second file location and plays out the time-sensitive content;
• and
• control updater software being executed on the computing device to shift an update time of the dynamic media file based on the expiration resolution.