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Get started with FAST channels

Learn how to create and syndicate free ad-support streaming television channels

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Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels are linear channels that viewers access to watch TV shows, movies, and other content without paying a subscription fee. These channels generate revenue through advertising.

Through JWP's FAST Channels partnership with ViewNexa, you can create and syndicate FAST channels to various FAST distribution platforms or integrate them into your apps. Each channel can include VOD assets stitched together to simulate a live stream, scheduled live programming, or breaking live events.

Powered by ViewNexa, this collaboration offers several benefits, such as:

  • Expanding your content reach to FAST distribution platforms and devices
  • Monetizing your content with advertising
  • Creating a traditional broadcast TV experience from your existing VOD and live content

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Distribution to FAST platforms requires a business relationship with the desired FAST distribution platform. Your JWP and ViewNexa representatives can provide guidance.


High-Level Workflow

The following workflow illustrates how your JWP-hosted content gets distributed.

Diagram of distribution workflow

Diagram of distribution workflow

  1. ViewNexa ingests your JWP-hosted content and associated metadata.
  2. Once ingested, you manage schedules and advertising for your FAST channels.
  3. ViewNexa prepares your content for distribution and streams the content as a linear stream to FAST channel distribution platforms or your apps using JWP's CDN where permitted.

Prerequisite

ItemDescription
FAST Channels EntitlementEnables the ability to create and manage Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television channels

Contact your JWP representative more information

Manage content in your JWP dashboard

Follow these steps to manage content in your JWP dashboard:

  1. Create the following default custom parameters. All custom parameters will be applied to all new media uploaded to your media library.

    Default Custom ParameterDescription
    contentCategoryList of category values from which a content editor can select to assign to individual media items

    Follow these steps to define this default custom parameter:
    1. Under Template Type, select List of pre-defined options.
    2. In the Key field, enter contentCategory.
    3. Under Values, enter a content category in each field.

    The first listed value is assigned by default. To default to unselected, leave the first field blank.
    cuepointsLocation in seconds to set an ad break

    Follow these steps to define this default custom parameter:
    1. Under Template Type, select Empty text field.
    2. In the Key field, enter cuepoints.
    3. Under Default Value (optional), leave the field blank. Specific cue points can be added in a comma-delimited list to each video after upload. Cue point values are in seconds.

    If ad breaks should occur at common times for all videos, set a default set of comma-delimited cue points in seconds.

    Example: 0, 300, 600, 900
    episodeNumberEpisode number

    Follow these steps to define this default custom parameter:
    1. Under Template Type, select Empty text field.
    2. In the Key field, enter episodeNumber.
    3. Under Default Value (optional), leave the field blank.
    seasonNumberSeason number

    Follow these steps to define this default custom parameter:
    1. Under Template Type, select Empty text field.
    2. In the Key field, enter seasonNumber.
    3. Under Default Value (optional), leave the field blank.
    seriesNameSeries Name

    Follow these steps to define this default custom parameter:
    1. Under Template Type, select Empty text field.
    2. In the Key field, enter seriesName.
    3. Under Default Value (optional), leave the field blank.

  1. Upload your video on demand (VOD) media to your JWP media library.

  1. Edit the video metadata.

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    Keep the following in mind:

    • Apply tags to the media. The tags are used to manage your uploaded media.
    • If necessary, edit the values of the default custom parameters associated during the upload process.
    • Ensure that your caption files are labeled with ISO 639-2 compliant names or codes.

  1. Create a playlist with your JWP-hosted media:
    • For automated playlist creation, create a dynamic playlist.
    • For custom, manual playlist creation, create a manual playlist.

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      A playlist for FAST channels must contain only JWP-hosted media or registered .mp4 URLs.


  1. Share the dynamic playlist RSS feed with your Bitcentral representative.
  2. (Optional) For live event streams, configure your Live Channel stream to syndicate to your FAST channels.

After completing these steps, your ViewNexa representative will help you manage schedules and advertising for your FAST channels.


FAQs

How can live broadcasts sent to ViewNexa be monetized?

Currently, you can monetize your live broadcasts in one or several of the following ways:

  1. Trigger ads with ViewNexa's manual real-time triggering tool.
  2. Include postroll ads in the VOD media item that is scheduled before the live broadcast.
  3. Include preroll ads in the VOD media item that is scheduled for after the live broadcast.

Please contact your JWP representative for more guidance.

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SSAI for VOD media in your linear channel is handled automatically according to the cue points that you configure.


Is there any documentation for FAST channel setup in ViewNexa?

Yes. The following ViewNexa articles address key topics in the setup workflow. You must have a ViewNexa account to have access to these documents.

While ViewNexa provides this documentation, your ViewNexa representative will guide you through the entire setup and tailor the workflow to your business needs.

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Bitcentral was rebranded as ViewNexa. Any remaining references to Bitcentral or the FUEL product should be assumed to refer to ViewNexa.


How are media metadata synced between JWP and ViewNexa?

Currently media is only imported into ViewNexa from JWP. There isn't a syncing mechanism.

After your MRSS feed is set up, ViewNexa's platform will periodically pull any new media items that have been added to the JWP MRSS feed. ViewNexa is only importing new media items from your JWP MRSS feed. Changes made in JWP to a media item that has already been imported into ViewNexa will not be reflected in ViewNexa and vice versa.


Does ViewNexa's platform have multi-factor authentication?

Yes. ViewNexa's platform has enhanced security with the use of any authenticator app for 2-step verification. This feature can be enabled on a per-user basis by your ViewNexa representative.

Learn more about Setting Up Multi-factor Authentication by logging into your ViewNexa Help Center account.



Updated 3 months ago