A media play out system, comprising: a first device, comprising a first processor and a first storage device, the first processor configured for transmitting a hierarchical broadcast media automation schedule from the storage device to a second device via a network; and the second device, comprising a second processor, a media router, a second storage device, and at least one media output interface connected to the media router, the second processor configured for: receiving the hierarchical automation schedule from the first device, identifying a node within the hierarchy corresponding to the second device, aggregating media automation instructions of the identified node and each parent node of the identified node from the hierarchical automation schedule, controlling the media router in accordance with the aggregated automation instructions, retrieving at least one item of content identified in the aggregated automation instructions, storing the retrieved at least one item of content in the second storage device, playing the retrieved at least one item of content via the media output interface from the second storage device, in accordance with the aggregated automation instructions, determining whether a first item of content is available for playback at a first time designated for playback of the first item of content in the aggregated automation instructions, identifying a child node of the hierarchical automation schedule including the instruction designating playback of the first item of content at the first time, responsive to a determination that the first item of content is not available for playback, iteratively searching for a parent node of the child node including an instruction designating playback of a second item of content at the first time, and playing the second item of content in the second storage device via the media output interface, responsive to locating the parent node. a first device, comprising a first processor and a first storage device, the first processor configured for transmitting a hierarchical broadcast media automation schedule from the storage device to a second device via a network; and the second device, comprising a second processor, a media router, a second storage device, and at least one media output interface connected to the media router, the second processor configured for: receiving the hierarchical automation schedule from the first device, identifying a node within the hierarchy corresponding to the second device, aggregating media automation instructions of the identified node and each parent node of the identified node from the hierarchical automation schedule, controlling the media router in accordance with the aggregated automation instructions, retrieving at least one item of content identified in the aggregated automation instructions, storing the retrieved at least one item of content in the second storage device, playing the retrieved at least one item of content via the media output interface from the second storage device, in accordance with the aggregated automation instructions, determining whether a first item of content is available for playback at a first time designated for playback of the first item of content in the aggregated automation instructions, identifying a child node of the hierarchical automation schedule including the instruction designating playback of the first item of content at the first time, responsive to a determination that the first item of content is not available for playback, iteratively searching for a parent node of the child node including an instruction designating playback of a second item of content at the first time, and playing the second item of content in the second storage device via the media output interface, responsive to locating the parent node. receiving the hierarchical automation schedule from the first device, identifying a node within the hierarchy corresponding to the second device, aggregating media automation instructions of the identified node and each parent node of the identified node from the hierarchical automation schedule, controlling the media router in accordance with the aggregated automation instructions, retrieving at least one item of content identified in the aggregated automation instructions, storing the retrieved at least one item of content in the second storage device, playing the retrieved at least one item of content via the media output interface from the second storage device, in accordance with the aggregated automation instructions, determining whether a first item of content is available for playback at a first time designated for playback of the first item of content in the aggregated automation instructions, identifying a child node of the hierarchical automation schedule including the instruction designating playback of the first item of content at the first time, responsive to a determination that the first item of content is not available for playback, iteratively searching for a parent node of the child node including an instruction designating playback of a second item of content at the first time, and playing the second item of content in the second storage device via the media output interface, responsive to locating the parent node.