Systems and methods for managing spectrum handoff with multimedia transmissions over cognitive radio networks are disclosed. The methods may include, for example, determining when a primary user is inactive on the one or more frequencies. The methods may also include assigning a secondary user to the one or more frequencies while the primary user is inactive and detecting return by the primary user to the one or more frequencies. The secondary user may, in one embodiment, be interrupted and one or more second frequencies that are inactive may be identified. Further, the secondary user may transition to the one or more second frequencies to resume transmission or reception.