A window is a time period subordinate to a license. Windows allow content to be broadcast (linear content) or viewed on demand (VOD content) on several channels by equipping the channels with windows (see Contracts for the relation between contracts, licences and windows).

The following article explains how windows are created and edited, searched and deleted. In addition, this article covers how relations of a window to all kinds of items, including contracts, licenses and content rights, can be managed.

1 How to edit and create windows

In the first step, existing windows are edited or new windows are created. Both functions apply the same dialog. There are several ways to enter the editing dialog.

1.1 Edit windows

There is an overview in the editing dialog of contracts where all windows included in the corresponding contract are listed. From this dialog, windows can be edited:

The Windows tab is accessed via the Edit contract dialog (1) and is located on the very right (2). 

By clicking the context menu (3) of an individual window in the overview table, it can be edited by clicking the edit button (4).

If a window cannot be found at first glance, it can be entered into the search bar (5).

Like in all tabs, there is a save and exit button (6) (see Save and exit button).

While the editing dialog of contracts shows all windows included in a contract, the editing dialog of licenses shows all windows associated with the given license. From this dialog, windows can be edited, as well:

Via the Edit license dialog (1), the Windows tab (2) is accessed.

The Dashboard tab represents another entry point for the editing dialog by showing the windows most recently edited or created.

Related topics:

• Create and edit contracts
• Create and edit licenses
• Adjust table columns
• Save and exit button
• Dashboard tab

1.2 Create windows

Since windows are directly associated with licenses, new windows are created from the editing dialog of a specific license.

In this example. there are no windows yet for the license created previously (see Create and edit licenses). 

Windows are created from the Edit license dialog (1) (see Create and edit licenses). There is an own tab called Windows (2) where this is done. Finally, the New window button (3) has to be clicked.

Here, there is also a search bar (underlined) that allows to find windows that have already been created for the given license.

After being created, windows can be edited here, as well.

The editing dialog of windows is divided into three different tabs, including Windows (1), Matrix (2) and Schedule (3).

Related topics:

• Create and edit licenses

1.2.1 Windows tab

The Windows tab, in turn, contains the following sections, which will be shown in the following screenshot.

1. Edit mode

2. Basic window data

3. References

4. Runs/Reruns

5. VOD

6. Description

7. Attributes

1.1.2 Adjust sections in the edit mode

Before getting started, users can adjust sections in terms of visibility, size and position using the edit mode. 

This chapter explains how this is done: Edit mode.

1.1.3 Define basic window data

Defining basic window data is the step to get started. There are various fields to define the individual pieces of information.

Title (1): As a window title, the content reference of the license it is created for will be preselected and cannot be changed.

Start (2) and end date (3): The start (2) and end dates (3) of a window can be selected in the marked fields.

Window type (4): This is where the window type can be determined. 

Channel (5): The channel of a window is selected in a drop-down menu, as well.

Playout format (6): The playout format can also be specified.

Version type (7): This field serves to determine the version type.

1.1.4 Add references

In this section, predecessor windows and purchasing windows can be added.

This section allows to link purchase windows with selling windows.

1. Predecessor windows

2. Purchasing windows

By clicking Add predecessor window, this dialog opens:

From this dialog, a particular window can be entered into the search bar (1) and be selected (2). 

Finally, it can be applied (3).  There is also the option to continue without selection (4).

By clicking Add purchasing window, this dialog opens.

From this dialog, purchasing windows are selected the same way as predecessor windows are, following the steps and options from 1 to 4.

After being added, the predecessor window and the purchasing window will appear here. By clicking  (1 and 2) , the predecessor window (1) and the purchasing window (2) will open in the editing dialog for windows in a new tab.

Related topics:

• Read this article to see how table columns are adjusted: Adjust table columns.

1.1.5 Define VOD window data

Depending on whether the channel selected in the Basic window data (see Basic window data) is a VOD or linear channel, the VOD section will be available or not. The VOD section also appears for channels that offer both VOD and linear programs.

Here, the price can be specified regarding the currency (1) and amount (2). 

It is also possible to set a minimum price (3) and a licensor fee (4), which is calculated from the total amount (2).

The price category (5) has to be determined in the VOD App for the channel selected in the basic window data (see Basic window data). If no price category has been defined for the channel, it cannot be selected.

The source channel of the VoD window (6) and the VoD version (7) can also be selected.

The PPV Viewing Limit field (8) allows to set how long a VOD content is available after purchasing it.

The checkboxes (framed) at the bottom allow to further specify a VOD window.

Related topics:

• Basic window data

1.1.6 Manage runs and reruns

In order to distribute the runs and reruns of a license to its individual windows, the editing dialog of windows contains a Runs / Reruns section, as well:

Filling the fields works the same way as for licenses:

• How to set runs and reruns for a license

There are set rules that define the way reruns are scheduled. The rules for the reruns are defined under Admin > Edit parameter> Reruns. The Abbreviation field allows to enter different combinations of rerun rules with specific meanings.

In the following table, there is a list of rules: 

Rules for runs and reruns

Name	Abbreviation	Examples	Description
Global counting	WGxxx	WG24, WG48,  WG120	The reruns can be set globally, which means they can be scheduled independently of the runs within the valid license period.  This is defined by the abbreviations “Wxxx” or “WGxxx”. These parameters allow valid reruns within xxx hours after each run.
Reruns per run	WRxxx	WR24,  WR48,  WR120	The reruns are counted per run.  In this case, the number of the allowed reruns is counted per each scheduled run. This rule is defined via the abbreviation “WRxxx”.
Exceptions for certain days	WGxxxZdxxx and WRxxxZdxxx	WG24Z572 WG24Z6120, WG24Z372Z624, WR24Z572, WR24Z6120, WR24Z372Z624	In addition to the normal rerun period (WG24/WR24), it is also possible to specify exceptions for certain days.    The rule is as follows:  “Zdxxx”, with “d” meaning day (1= Mon. 2 = Tues. 3 = Wed. 4 =Thurs …) and “xxx” indicating the number of hours.    The rules regarding the reruns have to be specified before the rules regarding the days (i.e. WG24Z572 instead of Z572WG24).  For example: “WG24Z572Z672” = 24 hours for weekdays,  72 hours on Fridays (=5) or Saturdays (=6).
Prime Time rules	Phhmm-hhmm-yyyWGxxx, and Phhmm-hhmm-yyyWRxxx	P2000-2300-001WG24, P2000-2300-002WG24, P2000-2300-001WR24, P2000-2300-002WR24	Here, the time rules and counting methods of WRxxx or WGxxx apply: However, only yyy (number) of the reruns are allowed to lie within the prime time of hhmm (hours/minutes) to hhmm (hours/minutes).    1 Prime time WHS (e. g. P2000-2300-001WR24) or 2 prime time WHS (e. g. P2000-2300-002WR024). Per each run, one or two reruns can be scheduled across channels, and one of them can be scheduled in the prime time between 8 PM and 11 PM. Here, prime-time and cross-channel rules can be combined (e.g. PxxxWqyyy or PxxxXWqyyy).
Weekend Rule	Phhmm-hhmm-yyyWGxxxEee, and Phhmm-hhmm-yyyWRxxxEee	P2000-2300-001WG24 2, P2000-2300-001WG24E2	“E” introduces the weekend rule, with „ee“ standing for the number of reruns. For example e.g. “E2” = two reruns on weekends.    If a rerun takes place during the weekend (with a run from Monday to Friday: rerun during the following weekend, with a run during the weekend: rerun during the next weekend) and if a weekend rule is available, the prime-time check is not valid anymore. Instead, the system counts the reruns during the weekend. If the normal rerun period extends into the weekend, the prime time rule check is not carried out during the weekend either. However, the number of reruns is merged with those of the weekend rule. This means that it is possible to plan 4 reruns, with 2 reruns within 24 hours and 2 reruns during the weekend.
Cross-channel rule	X[kkk]aaWRxxx, and X[kkk]aaWGxxx	XWR30,  X[DC]WG120, X[S1]2WR60,  X2WR180	Here, the “WRxxx” or “WGxxx” time rules and counting methods are effective. However, the reruns can be scheduled on any channel. "X[kkk]aaWxhhh" aa = number of allowed reruns [kkk] = abbreviation of the cross channel Wxhhh = the normal rerun rule It is possible that several x rules (for different channels) are active at the same time. In order to limit the number of reruns on the original channel, as well, a cross channel rule for the original channel has to be added. For example "X[RRR]0X[CTV]2WR24": → No reruns are allowed on the original channel [RRR], while two reruns are allowed on the cross channel [CTV] within 24 hours.
Timeshift rule	TSxx[kkk]mmm	TS[S1]40,  TSWH[DC]60	xx = empty or WH (= rerun) [kkk] = abbreviation of the timeshift channel mmm = number of minutes If the time-shift rule applies, reruns within “mmm” minutes on the time-shift channel [kkk] will not be counted as used run or rerun. If the “xx” specification is empty, only runs are linked with time-shift events, while reruns remain unlinked. The specification of the channel is optional. There may be several rules for timeshifting active at the same time (for different channels). A time-shift event has a time-shift flag, but it displays the exact information about the original event in the normal license fields.  Only one timeshift event is allowed to exist per event on the main channel.
Reruns until the end of the broadcast Day	WRB[dd]xxx and WGB[dd]xxx	WGB[3]24,  WRB24	WR/WG: Local counting (e.g.: a maximum of two reruns after a broadcast) and global counting (e.g.: a maximum of ten reruns altogether). "dd" stands for the hour of the broadcast day start (WGB[3]24 = rerun within 24 hours but only until 3:00 AM). “dd” is optional, with 6:00 AM set as default (e. g. WGB24 = rerun within 24 hours but only until 6:00 AM). "xxx" stands for the rerun period, e.g. 24 hours.

 

 

1.1.7 Add descriptions and comments

In this section, descriptions and comments can be added. Also, customer-specific attributes are shown.

Unlike contracts and licenses, no texts and documents can be added. Therefore, only the following parts of this article (Add extras and attachments) are relevant: 

• How to add a description
• How to add comments

1.2 Matrix tab

If there is a need to specifically set the rights of a window in addition to those of the respective license, this can be done in the Matrix tab (1). Setting the rights works the same as for licenses (see Matrix tab):

1.3 Schedule tab

The Schedule tab provides an overview of the scheduled content within the given window.

It represents the last tab (1) in the editing dialog for windows. 

In contrast to the Schedule tab in the editing dialog for licenses (see Schedule tab), it just refers to a specific window within a license, allowing to view the runs and reruns in terms of planning (2), takes (3), airing (4) and forecast (5) in an overview table.

Related topics:

• Schedule tab
• Adjust table columns

2 How to find windows

After being created or edited, windows can either be found in the Windows tab (both the one in the Edit contract and Edit license dialog) and Dashboard tab.

2.1 Find windows associated with specific contracts or licenses

Both the Windows tab in the Edit contract dialog and Edit license dialog allow to find created windows:

• Windows tab in edit contract dialog
• Windows tab in edit license dialog

2.2 Find recently edited or created windows

Windows most recently created or edited are displayed in the Dashboard tab.

3 How to delete windows

Windows can be deleted from the editing dialogs of contracts and licenses (see chapter 1.1).

From editing dialog of contracts

By clicking the context menu (1) of an individual window in the overview table, it can be deleted (2).

If a window cannot be found at first glance, it can be entered into the search bar (3).

From editing dialog of licenses

Here, the same steps from 1 to 3 apply (see previous screenshot).

4 How to manage relations of a window

Windows are associated with different types of items. Those relations can be managed in the Relations and Rights tab.

4.1 Relations tab

As mentioned in chapter 2.2, relations to different types of content can be managed in the Relations tab based on windows, contracts and licenses.

4.2 Rights tab

The Rights tab, in turn, allows to manage content rights in relation to windows, contracts and licenses and the accounting of licenses.