Method and system for managing a streaming media service

A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions stored therein for implementing a method for managing a streaming media service, said method comprising:

• receiving a request for a streaming media service from a client, said streaming media service comprising a media service component;
• selecting a service location manager to which to provide said request from a plurality of service location managers, said service location manager configured for selecting a service provider from a plurality of service providers;
• selecting said service provider to which to assign said media service component from a plurality of service providers of a network;
• informing said service provider of said assignment to perform said media service component, causing said service provider to prepare to perform said streaming media service on streaming media;
• and
• using information at said service location manager to determine whether to initiate a handoff of said streaming media service from said service provider to another service provider without altering said streaming media service, such that said streaming media service to said client will not be interrupted.

A system for providing streaming content to a client device, said system comprising:

• a plurality of service location managers, each service location manager capable of managing a handoff of a service based on information received;
• a plurality of service providers, each service provider capable of performing said service on an item of streaming input content to produce said streaming content;
• and
• a portal providing a first point of contact for said client device, said portal for receiving from said client device a request for performance of said service on said item of streaming input content, said portal for selecting a service location manager to which to provide said request from said plurality of service location managers, said service location manager for receiving said request from said portal and for selecting a service provider from said plurality of service providers and informing said service provider of said assignment to perform said service on said streaming input content to produce said streaming content, wherein said service location manager uses information to determine whether to initiate a handoff of said service from said service provider to another service provider without altering said streaming media service, such that said streaming media service to said client will not be interrupted.