With the Planner App, frame-accurate broadcast schedules for each day can be created with ease. It allows to add trailers, secondary events and advertisements to the program plan previously created in the Programmer App. These features can either be performed manually or automatically by using wizards.

First of all, here is an overview of the functions associated with the broadcast planning, which is performed in the Plan tab.

1. Configuration of channel and date: This is where channel and date are determined.

2. Basic features: Locking the plan, undo & redo and refresh the plan.

3. Additional features and settings: Display of active users, adding notes, overview of shortcuts, quick settings, expanding and collapsing elements.

4. Left-side menu: The left-side menu contains a variety of functionalities, including (from top to bottom):

Trailer versions: Adding trailer versions to the plan.
Design elements: Adding design elements to the plan.
Secondary elements: Adding secondary elements to the plan.
Commercial versions: Adding commercial versions to the plan.
Program versions: Adding program versions to the plan.
Folders, Favorites and Clipboard: Both folders, favorites and the clipboard are places to collect content. From there, it can be scheduled to the plan.
Actions: Performing features such as emptying slots, status transfers and commercial adjustments.
Assistants: Creating rules and executing a assistants, e. g. find and remove elements in the plan.

5. Further planning information: Planning status, remaining time, scheduling of trailers, material status etc.

1 How to perform general plan features

There is a multitude of general options to be performed in the plan, which will be explained in the following.

1.1 Set channel and date

Starting off with basic plan data, channel and date have to be defined.

Channel (1) and date (2) are selected from the ribbon above the plan.

The Today button (1) allows to select the current day.

1.2 Change the start time of a channel in the plan

The app settings allow to adapt the default starting time of the plan.

First of all, the app settings (1) have to be accessed via the user settings.

After navigating to the Plan tab (1), the start time can either be set specifically (starting hour – 2) or or be taken from the channel configuration (Take start time from channel – 3).

1.3 Refresh the plan, undo & redo and lock the plan

The plan can be refreshed by clicking the Refresh button (1).

The buttons for undoing actions (2) and redoing actions (3) are located to the left of it.

When the schedule is finished, it can be locked so that no further editing is possible. By clicking the lock icon (4) again, the plan can be unlocked.

1.4 Shortcuts

There is a variety of shortcuts for executing certain plan actions. All of those shortcuts can be found in a list.

The list of shortcuts can be accessed in the menu bar above the plan by expanding additional tools (1).

By clicking Show shortcuts (1), the list of shortcuts opens in a new window.

In this list, all shortcuts available for plan actions are listed, along with the functions they perform:

1.5 Add notes

Another basic feature is to add notes. Notes can be used to leave remarks for individual days in the plan.

From this list, notes can be expanded and collapsed by clicking the Open notes button (1).

The individual days can be left with a note by clicking the Add note button (1) above the plan, leading to a new dialog.

This dialog contains various fields, allowing to define a title (1), note color (2), channel (3), time span (4) and the note itself (5).

Setting a time range allows to provide multiple days at once with a note.

The note color (2) can be determined using a color picker.

By clicking the plus icon (1), new notes can be added.

By clicking the Open notes button (2), existing notes can be expanded or collapsed.

1.6 Expand slots, blocks, versions and ad breaks & show secondaries

By clicking the quick settings button (1), the menu to expand and collapse plan elements such as slots and blocks is accessed.

Elements can be expanded by ticking their respective checkboxes. By removing the checkmarks, the elements can be collapsed again. In addition, secondaries (2) can be shown by clicking Show secondaries.

1.7 Display of active users

In order to obtain an overview when working in the plan together, the app allows to view information about other users working with the plan.

The application provides a feature (1) to see how many users are currently online and active within the currently loaded time period of the plan.

By hovering the mouse above, the respective user(s) (2) will be visible.

NOTE

Like the Programmer, the Planner allows multiple users to work on the plan at the same time.

1.8 Adjust table columns

By opening the context menu, a column can be pinned (1). As soon as a column is pinned, it will stay in the same position when scrolling through the other table columns.

Besides pinning, there are the following other options available via the context menu:

Move to start: Moves a column to the first position.
Move to end: Moves a column to the last position.
Auto size this column: Adjusts column widths based on the widest column.
Hide columns: Hides a column so they have to be displayed again (see Display and hide columns).

1.9 Configure coloring for plan elements and alerts

The app settings allow to configure the coloring for plan elements and alerts.

First of all, the app settings (1) have to be accessed via the user settings.

After navigating to the Plan tab (1), the coloring can be set under Events (2) for the individual elements, e. g. for slots (3).

By clicking Back to default colors (4), the coloring of the elements can also be set to default.

The color fill (5) in the broadcast schedule can be set either 50 or 100 %.

1.10 Display errors

The quick settings, which are accessed via the ribbon, allow to set the display of errors by using the checkboxes.

Error checks include:

Duration errors: Checks for errors regarding the length of an event. This kind of error can occur, for example, if the asset length or the time codes of an ad cut have been changed, but the event length has not been corrected yet (via the context menu).
License errors: Checks for programs if they have a (license) window that is valid within the loaded time span of the plan.
Parental rating errors: Checks if the scheduled content is allowed to be broadcast within the loaded time according to their parental rating. The parameters allow to create the individual ratings and to assign times to it when content with that respective parental rating is allowed to be broadcast. However. If there is a license error already. The parental rating error will not be displayed.
Period of usage error: Checks for trailers if their periods of usage are valid within the loaded time span of the plan.

This is what the different errors look like when displayed in the plan:

Duration errors

Duration errors are displayed in two spots:

By the general error sign (1) on to the left: By hovering the mouse above it, the specific type of error will be displayed.
In the status column (2).

License errors

License errors are displayed in the License column.

Parental rating errors

Like the duration errors, parental rating errors are displayed in two spots:

By the general error sign (1) on to the left: By hovering the mouse above it, the specific type of error will be displayed.
In the status column (2).

Period of usage errors

Like the duration and parental rating errors, are displayed in two spots:

By the general error sign (1) on to the left: By hovering the mouse above it, the specific type of error will be displayed.
In the status column (2).

2 Import content

Content, e. g. trailers or commercials, can be imported if the corresponding imports have been established.

After selecting an import in the Connect tab, e. g. a commercial import, the import file can be browsed or added by drag and drop.

During the execution of imports and exports, work can continue. Clicking on the job icon displays the statuses of all jobs.

The next step is to navigate to the Plan tab and then to the corresponding section. Here, the Import icon has to be clicked.

Elements are displayed with a red dot when they have not yet been transferred to the schedule.
Via Expand all, the individual elements within the block become visible. The Import into plan button schedules the elements in the plan.

The status displays green when all elements have been placed in the schedule.

3 Schedule content manually

When the planner is opened for the first time, the programs and the commercial breaks are visible. The
times are fixed with the pins. By clicking the expand and collapse icons, slots and blocks can be expanded and collapsed to determine whether subordinate content is visible or not. The header in the plan can be configured with a right-click or via the plus button.

The tabs below the plan provide insight into the statuses of the different areas, e. g. trailers.

After selecting the content type in the left-side menu (trailers, design & secondary elements, advertisements and program versions), content can be scheduled via drag and drop. Content can also be scheduled from folders, favorites or from the clipboard.

Multiple elements can be selected with SHIFT; they are scheduled in the order they were selected.

By clicking the filter icon (1), sorting and filter options for trailers, design elements, secondary elements, commercials and program versions appear:

Also, elements with periods of use, including trailers, design elements, secondary elements and commercials, can be filtered for channel elements (1) and all elements available in the stock (2). Channel elements include elements that are available for the set channel and time period according to its activation and periods of use, while all [content type] covers the entire stock.

The context menu of an event contains a variety of options. Those will be listed and explained down below.

Event settings: Opens the settings for the selected event.
Edit version: Allows editing of the event's version in the Content App.
Edit asset: Edits the associated asset/media in the Asset App.
Edit series: Edits the series information in the Content App.
Unpin: Removes the time lock/pin from the event. This can also be done by clicking the pin icon in the gird or via the event settings (see chapter 3.1.1).
Split segment: Splits the event into multiple segments.
Change version: Switches to a different version of the event.
Add ad break: Adds a commercial break at this position.
Correct event length: Corrects the duration of the event if there is an asset or ad cut.
Edit time: Changes the start/end time of the event.
Resolve conflict by shortening: Resolves time conflicts by shortening (grayed out/inactive).
Fill gaps by lengthening: Fills gaps by lengthening (grayed out/inactive).
Planning status: Displays where and when an event is scheduled.
Layout: Allows to recalculate the positions of secondary events.
Add to clipboard: Copies the event to the clipboard so they can be found in the corresponding side tab.
Delete: Deletes the event from the schedule.

Related topics:

3.1 Actions performed via event settings

As mentioned above, event settings are entered via the context menu.

The basic settings consist of three sections, including basic settings, attributes and material.

3.1.1 Basic settings

Both the start time and fixation of events cannot only be adapted via the context menu, but also in the event settings. By changing the start time, the end time will adapt based on the duration. The pin icon allows to pin and unpin events.

By ticking the logo checkbox, a logo can be selected from the drop-down menu.

3.1.2 Set attributes

Attributes, which are customer-specific, can be activated or deactivated by using the checkboxes.

3.1.3 Display material information

Both the clip number (1) and material name (2) are displayed under Material. Both the clip number and the material name can be used to find the asset connected to the program version.

3.2 Pin and unpin subevents of a block

In sub events of a block can all be unfixed by clicking Unfix all sub-events (1) in the context menu of a block.

By clicking the same button, the sub events can be fixed again.

As a result, the sub events are unpinned, so there is no pin icon anymore, while the block remains pinned, which can be unpinned by clicking the pin icon.

3.3 Create assets and correct event length

As long as no asset has been connected to a program version, NO (1) will be displayed in the Material column.

By clicking Edit version (2), the editing dialog of the program version can be accessed to add the asset file to the version:

Add assets to program versions

After adding the asset file, the camera icon (1) will turn green and state OK. Then the event length can be adapted to the length of the asset file by opening the context menu and clicking Correct event length (2). Otherwise, the length will correspond to that of the program version.

As a result, the option to edit the asset file (3) will become active, leading to the Assets App.

3.4 Create and apply add cuts

After connecting an asset to the program version (see Add assets to program versions), ad cuts can be created in the Assets App.

First of all, the editing dialog of the connected asset has to be accessed by clicking Edit asset (1).

Then, an ad cut can be created (see Create ad cuts).

3.5 Split segments, apply ad cuts and update segment lengths

The context menu also allows to split events into multiple segments by clicking Split segment (1) via the context menu.

In this example, the event has a length one and a half hours.

As a result, there will be two equally long segments (1 and 2) with a five-minute ad break between them.

The segments can then be further split by selecting one of the two segments, e. g. the first segment (1) can be split again.

In this case, three equally long segments (3 x 30 minutes) will be created.

If an ad cut has been connected to the program version previously, the segment lengths (1 and 2) will be according to the ad cut.

The selection of ad cuts can be managed via event settings (1), which are accessed via the context menu.

In the Material tab (1) of the event settings, the ad cut can be selected from a drop-down menu (2).

The drop-down list will display all ad cuts according to the number of segments of the respective event. If there are two segments (and one break), all ad cuts that contain two segments can be selected.

By default, the system will assign an ad cut automatically to an event. This can, however, be turned off by ticking the checkbox No automatic assignment (3), so that no ad cut is selected by default.

If a new ad cut has been selected or if the applied ad cut has been changed, the segment lengths can be updated by clicking Correcting event length (1).

Split segments can be reunited to one segment via the context menu by selecting the segments and clicking Unite segments (1).

3.6 Add ad breaks

Ad breaks can also be added manually via the context menu. In contrast to splitting segments, this feature will not create different segments of an event.

3.6.1 Add general ad breaks

Ad breaks can also be added by clicking Add ad break (1) and be specified regarding their type via the context menu, e. g. general ad breaks (2).

In the follow-up dialog, the ad break can be specified in terms of begin, end, duration, price group and tariff category.

The duration, which is pinned by default, has to be unpinned when changing it by clicking the pin icon.

The ad break (1) will then be placed at the corresponding position before or after the main event (2) it was added to – in this case before it.

Example:

If the starting time of the ad break is set to 11:10 am, which is during the run time runtime of the main event (1) from 11 am to 12 pm, the ad break (2) will be placed after the main event, starting at 12 pm.

3.6.2 Add secondary ad breaks

It is also possible to add breaks for secondary commercials, which are commercials that run simultaneously to a main event.

Like the other break types, ad breaks for secondary commercials are also added via the context menu by clicking Add ad break (1). Then, trailer blocks (2) have to be selected as break type.

In the follow-up dialog, the ad break can be specified in terms of begin, end, duration, price group and tariff category.

When it comes to the placement of the secondary ad block in the grid, the same rules apply as for adding general ad breaks (see chapter 3.6.1).

In this case, the secondary ad break (1) is placed after the main event (2) it was added to.

3.6.3 Add trailer blocks

There is also a feature that allows to add trailer blocks.

Like the other break types, trailer blocks are also added via the context menu by clicking Add ad break (1) Then, ad break for trailers (2) have to be selected as break type.

In the follow-up dialog, the trailer block can be specified in terms of begin, end, duration, price group and tariff category.

The duration, which is pinned by default, has to be unpinned when changing it by clicking the pin icon.

When it comes to the placement of the trailer block in the grid, the same rules apply as for adding general ad breaks (see chapter 3.6.1).

In this case, the trailer break (1) is placed before the main event (2) it was added to.

3.7 Change version

Another feature in the plan is to replace versions of a program or episode.

Versions can be replaced by opening the context menu of an event and clicking Change version (1), opening a new dialog.

In this dialog, all versions of the given program are listed.

The version to replace the old one (1) is selected by clicking on it. By using the toggle (2), all events of the selected versions in the loaded time period are replaced.

If a version shall be replaced by a version that belongs to a different program/series, it can be found via the search bar (3) or within a particular folder (4).

3.8 Planning status

It is also possible to obtain an overview of the entire scheduling of a specific event.

Viewing the planning status (1) is also a feature that is accessed via the context menu.

Under Planning status (1), there will be an overview of where and when the selected event has been scheduled.

Users will then obtain an overview of all versions scheduled within the loaded section of the plan will be highlighted (see 1, 2 and 3).

3.9 Layout

The Layout feature allows to manage secondary events.

By clicking Layout (1), the corresponding section (2) will open below the plan.

In this section, the positions of the selected secondary events can be viewed in relation to the main event and recalculated if the position of the main event changes.

In this case, either the positions of all calculated secondary events can be recalculated by clicking Recalculate all (1) or only the positions of the selected ones by clicking Recalculate section (2).

The zoom can be increased and decreased by using the zoom level bar (3).

4 Schedule content with assistants

After accessing the Assistants side tab in the left-side menu, new rules can be created with Create new rule.

Select what should be scheduled and where it should be scheduled, then save the rule.

In this dialog, users can select what content to schedule under Source (1) and where to schedule it under Target (2).

A rule is executed by selecting it from the list and clicking Apply.

Select from list:

Apply:

Groups can be used to collect rules. They can be created by clicking Create new group.

After giving the group a name (1), rules (2) can be added to it.

By clicking the plus button, the individual rules are added to the group. Added rules will be displayed on the right side.

Clicking on the rule group opens the execution dialog.

Clicking Apply runs the rule group.

5 How to manage content

In addition to the context menu in the grid, content can also be managed from the Versions side tab (1). This includes editing and adding content to favorites, folders and to the clipboard. After being added to favorites, folders and to the clipboard, content is collected in the corresponding side tabs, where it can be scheduled from (see Schedule content manually).