Disclosed are various automated methods and apparatus for scheduling and distributing user-generated content as part of or during a television program that is being distributed as part of a linear programming line-up of a television network. Users upload user-generated content through, for example, a mobile application on smart phone, a web site, or through an online service such as a social media network, and are given the opportunity to schedule transmission of uploaded content during transmission of television network linear programming by purchasing a time slot or bidding on a time slot through an auction process using real or virtual currency, including points, credits or other form of virtual currency, or being awarded or given a time slot. An automated process obtains available time slots and schedules user generated content for transmission by the network as part of previously scheduled, linear programming.