The programmer is the long-term planning tool for linear TV. This is where programs and series episodes are scheduled. In short, all schedulable elements that could potentially appear in the epg data are planned here. Content and assets are used from the corresponding Web Apps (Content and Asset).
1 Scheme tab
The scheme planning represents the planning framework and defines planning logics using slots (placeholders for programs) and sequence and repetition connectors.
1.1 Create and edit slot schemes
By clicking Plus, a new slot scheme can be added, leading to a new dialog.
Here, the repetition period is set. By default, it is 7 days, but, for example, 4 weeks can also be selected. The start day and times should follow the channel’s planning times to avoid any shifts.
After creating the scheme, it will be available in the list on the left side. Schemes can be searched by title
or by creation date.
After selecting the scheme, the source area can be closed to create more space in the grid.
NOTE
A slot scheme is only associated to weekdays and times, but not to certain channels or dates. As a result, it can be imported to any point in the plan, where the slots can be further edited and filled with events (program versions).
If further assistance is needed, the following chapter will explain the procedure in a bit more detail:
1.2 Schedule slots
In the slot scheme, slot types can be scheduled from the list by drag and drop.
A slot´s duration can be expanded by using the lower handle. By using the upper handle, a slot can be repositioned vertically, adjusting its start time and duration.
If further assistance is needed, the following chapter will explain the procedure in a bit more detail:
1.3 Copy slots
Slots can be selected and copied using Windows shortcuts. Use Ctrl+C to copy, Ctrl+V to paste, Ctrl+X to
cut, and Ctrl+A to select all. Finally, they can be placed by dropping them into the desired spot (1).
Here an overview of all shortcuts:
In the Quick section, there’s a switch that allows to choose whether to copy only the slots (toggle off, as shown in the picture) or the slots together with their content (toggle on).
When a slot is supposed to be copied alone while the toggle is switched on (copy slots & events altogether), an exact selection of the slot without the event is necessary.
1.4 Specify desired times of a slot
Slots can be changed time-wise both via slot settings and manually.
Slot settings can be accessed via the context menu to specify the desired times using the time picker.
In addition to slot settings, right-clicking a slot opens a context menu with slot actions. These include moving the slot to
adjacent objects, extending its duration to reach neighboring objects or span between them.
If further assistance is needed, the following chapter will explain the procedure in a bit more detail:
Times can also be changed by moving a slot via drag and drop. For this purpose, all individual slots of the chain have to be marked using Shift and placed into the desired position (1).
1.5 Create slot chains with follow and repeat connectors
Connectors establish relationships between slots in the schedule:
-
Follow connector: Links a slot to a different subsequent slot, establishing a sequential relationship between
different content blocks. -
Repeat connector: Links a slot to another slot containing the same content, typically used to indicate reruns
or repeated broadcasts across various time slots or days.
Using the right handle, the slot can be stretched across multiple days. Users can then decide whether to set follow connectors or not. Setting follow connectors is what creates a slot chain.
To set a connector, select the source and the target slot, choose Set repeat connector or Set follow
connector from the context menu. Connectors can be removed at any time using the Remove options below.
To visualize connector relationships, click on any connector. This will highlight the complete connector
chain, showing all linked slots across the schedule.
To set a connector, select the source and the target slot, choose Set repeat connector or Set follow connector from the context menu. Connectors can be removed at any time using the Remove options.
2 Plan tab
The following two chapters will deal with importing slot schemes and scheduling content. Both of these features are performed in the Plan tab.
2.1 Import slot schemes
Select the start day and time in the grid, then choose the schema from the left panel. Toggle 'Show all' to
view schemas created by other users.
Before importing the scheme, it can both be cut to a specific time period (1) and moved to a specific date and time (2) by switching the toggles. By default, a slot scheme will st take up the time period it was created with and start on the corresponding day and time.
By ticking the checkboxes at the bottom, a scheme can overwrite the current plan (3) instead of just being added to the current plan. In the Options section, you can choose to clear the target area and specify how many times the scheme should be imported, allowing for multiple consecutive imports in a single action.
When imported into the plan, the slot scheme will appear in the form it was set up previously.
NOTE
The import is not limited to the visible area in the grid. For example, if one month is displayed and
you import a monthly scheme with the quantity set to 2, the scheme will also be imported into the
following month, even though it is not visible.
Once imported, the planning grid provides the same scheme modification capabilities that are available in
the Scheme tab.
2.2 Schedule content
Clicking the versions symbol located on the left side menu opens the filter options.
Content types (e.g., series only) can be filtered specifically.
The default behavior displays only versions with valid broadcast windows and channel assignments. To override this and display all
available versions regardless of window or channel settings, enable the 'All versions' option.
In the settings, specify whether overlapping is allowed or not.
The quick settings menu provides access to additional configuration options
Content is put to the desired position (1) in the plan by drag and drop.
Scheduling a series into a slot chain automatically opens the configuration wizard, where episodes per slot, the starting point of the scheduling can be determined.
Also, repetition slots can be included or excluded from the scheduling.
In the next step, the assistant shows the episodes that have been preselected. The selection can be changed manually. After confirmation, the episodes are placed into the slots.
If further assistance is needed, the following chapter will explain the procedure in a bit more detail:
3 Create and edit ad break schemes in the Advertising tab
The break schema is configured in the Advertising tab. It is recommended to create a new schema rather than using
existing ones to prevent conflicts with schemas from the Windows application.
To create a new schema, enter a title and define the validity period.
Break rules are specified using timeline-based definitions.
The first configuration parameters define the time period and applicable days, with HO meaning holidays.
Next, the underlying event and/or slot duration is defined. Limiting by slot type serves as an additional
selection parameter.
Ad break types are added to the configuration by dragging them from the selection area and dropping them
into the target list.
Subsequently, specify the timing parameters and select the applicable tariff category for the ad break configuration.
After configuration, The timeline will be displayed correspondingly in the grid, with the colored blocks reflecting the positioning and types of ad breaks.
If further assistance is needed, the following chapter will explain the procedure in a bit more detail:
4 Create and edit price schemes in the Advertising tab
Here, advertising price groups are assigned to the advertising tariff types. Legacy schemas remain
functional and can be used without modification.
Clicking the plus icon (framed) allows to create new price schemes.
Here, advertising price groups (1) are assigned to the advertising tariff types (2). While the tariff category determines what kind of commercials are allowed be scheduled, the price group defines how commercials will cost. Legacy schemes remain functional and can be used without modification.
Ad break types (3), times (4) and days (5) are assigned to the price schemes, as well. Holidays (HO) can both be included or excluded from a price scheme. For this purpose, price schemes designed especially for holidays can be created.
New areas can be added by clicking the plus icon (6).
5 Breaks in the plan grid
The wizard section applies the break pattern to the selected slots or events. Breaks are then assigned advertising groups based on the advertising price schema, and finally receive their complete encoding configuration.
Wizards are executed in the Plan tab.
5.1 Load advertising scheme
The Load advertising scheme wizard creates ad blocks by applying an ad break scheme to events or slots.
- First of all, an ad break scheme has to be selected. Each schema displays its validity period and its associated channels (e.g., "All channels" or specific channel names). By switching the toggle, all schemes from all users are displayed.
- Then the plan area has to be specified since the wizard can be applied to different parts of the plan
- Apply scheme to all events: Applies ad blocks of the selected scheme to all events in the plan
- Apply scheme to all slots: Applies ad blocks of the selected scheme to all slots in the plan
- Apply scheme to selected events: Applies ad blocks of the selected scheme to all selected events
- Apply scheme to selected slots: Applies ad blocks of the selected scheme to all selected slots
Finally, the wizard can be executed by clicking the Apply button at the bottom.
NOTE
The system indicates which items (events or slots) will receive the advertising blocks based on the selected
option.
ATTENTION
When applying the scheme, all current advertising blocks will be deleted and replaced with the new
schema configuration.
5.2 Enable promotional pricing schemes
Using this wizard, add pricing schemes can be applied to slots and/or events.
Before applying pricing schemes, tariff categories have to be assigned to ad breaks first. This can either be done by applying ad break schemes or by manually editing ad breaks via the context menu.
By applying the pricing scheme wizard, it will then look for ad breaks with the set tariff category and assign the according price group to them.
- Create ad break schemes
- Apply ad break schemes: see previous chapter
- Assign tariff categories manually
- Create price schemes
The wizard to apply pricing schemes can be executed, following the steps listed below:
- First of all, a pricing scheme has to be selected. Each schema displays its validity period and its associated channels (e.g., "All channels" or specific channel names). By switching the toggle, all schemes from all users are displayed.
- Then the plan area has to be specified since the wizard can be applied to different parts of the plan, including the following options:
- Apply only to selected objects: Applies the scheme only to manually selected items (including both slots and events) in the plan.
- Apply holiday regulations: Includes special pricing rules for holidays if the checkbox is ticked.
- Apply to slots: Applies the promotional pricing to slot-level objects.
- Ignore trailer blocks: Excludes trailer blocks from the promotional pricing application.
These options can be combined to create a customized application scope for the promotional pricing
scheme.
As a result, the ad breaks are now provided with the corresponding tariff category and price group, which is visible in the editing dialog of ad breaks (accessed via context menu).
5.3 Ad break index number
Ad breaks can be assigned index numbers, which are managed with the Ad break index number wizard.
There are three different options available:
-
Assign index numbers: Assigns sequential index numbers to existing ad breaks that don't currently have
index numbers. -
Assign new index numbers to all adbreaks: Reassigns index numbers to all ad breaks in the plan, replacing
any existing numbering with a new sequential order. -
Check adbreak index numbers for duplicates: Scans the plan to identify and report any duplicate index
numbers among ad breaks.
After selecting the desired option, clicking the Run button executes the indexing operation.
5.4 Edit ad breaks
The right-click context menu on events/breaks includes a function for editing ad breaks (1).
´This example shows a correctly encoded break, with a price group (1) being assigned to a tariff category (2).
Ad breaks are displayed as small rectangles on the right side of the slot/event.
