StreamPackage channel assembly is a service that converts multiple on-demand / live stream sources into live streaming according to the schedule set by the user, and also supports inserting advertisements. A typical scenario is to implement a FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) Channel. FAST Channel is a business model that has become popular after SVOD/AVOD. FAST Channel provides channel content in the form of live streaming with advertisements, allowing users to watch these channels for free.
Concept Introduction
The following are the core concepts involved in the channel assembly feature:
1. Source Location: Source Location can store multiple URLs (addresses of on-demand/live stream sources) for accessing the corresponding sources in subsequent procedures. StreamPackage will obtain the manifest file of the content source from the address URLs provided by the user and perform linear assembly according to the channel configuration, without needing to access specific content segments. When the content is being played on the viewer's end, the player will access the corresponding content segments based on the assembled manifest.
2. Channel: A channel is the basic configuration for StreamPackage channel assembly feature. You can add programs and schedule the channel content, and output the corresponding live stream content. There are two types of channels: basic channels that only support VOD content, and standard channels that support both VOD and live content. There are two modes for channels: loop mode, which executes according to the program list in a loop, and linear mode, which executes according to the program list in sequence.
3. Program: A program includes content sources and playback settings. The content sources can be selected from the previously created Source Location. For the selected content source, the playback settings allow you to choose an absolute time for content playback, or a relative position for content playback (i.e., relative to an existing Program, to be played either before or after this existing Program).
4. Schedule: Based on the program settings, the system will generate a detailed schedule where you can view information such as content sources, playback start time, and playback duration.
Steps Overview
Configure FAST Channel through Stream Package, including the following main steps:
2. Configure channels and programs, and schedule channel content by adding programs to the channel. After configuration, you can view the complete schedule of the channel.