In this article we will describe all the steps we need to take to have your scheduled channel ready to pass Platform's QA.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Create your channel:
• 2. Preparing and Scheduling your content:
• 3. Submitting your logos: 
• 4. Informing OTTera:
• 5. Setting your channel as live:

1. Create your channel:

To create your new channel in your CMS you have 2 ways:

• Open a ticket requesting it and we will provide the URL. 
• In your CMS, go to FAST>Actions>New FAST Channel

2. Preparing and Scheduling your content:

In order to deliver your Linear Channel, we need you schedule it. This ticket contains the steps you need to take to be ready for delivery.

1. You must schedule 7 days total with the following required characteristics. Please check How to Schedule Your Linear Channel for more details.
   • At least 5 hours of each day's content must be different from the previous day's content.
   • You must have at least 50 hours of content.
   • The Linear Schedule Admin Name field is your best friend; name it Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc. OR Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.
2. Here are some metadata aspects you need to keep in mind:
   • Short descriptions - You must provide short descriptions for all videos and media lists, as these will appear as descriptions in the EPG. This need to be under 110 characters. 
   • Display name - Your video or media list must have a display name. Episode numbers cannot be included. Do NOT use the name 'Episode 12'; instead, use a title like 'Ross and Rachel Get Married.' Your CMS will automatically include the Show name and Episode number if you have added the episodes into a Show.
   • Image - Your video or media list MUST have an posterized title image; add at least one widescreen 16x9 image. Some platforms might also ask for 7x10 posters. 
   • Translations - If you're delivering a channel in a foreign language, you must add translated Title, Short Description, and either dubbed audio track or subtitle files (SRT, VTT and SCC are accepted, but SCC are prefered for linear) to the video node. If you don't see the translation language in your CMS ask OTTera Support to enable it.
   • Ratings - Your content needs ratings to appear in the EPG.
   • Mid-roll ad cues: You can use the defaults of the system, but some premium platforms like Roku and Samsung will ask you for specific seek times in moments that make sense for the video. 
3. Fallback List, Ad Slate, and Placeholder Slate - Click here Click here for an article with more information on how to create them.

NOTE: Everything mentioned here was included in onboarding trainings, but please feel free to reach back out for extra explanation.

3. Submitting your logos: 

Please send your logos based on OTTera requirements, you can find those here: OTTera Logo Guide for Linear Channels

4. Informing OTTera:

Once the above is ready, please use the already open tickets to let us know so we can proceed to QA your schedules and confirm that everything looks fine. 

5. Setting your channel as live:

Once Step 3 is ready, we will set this channel as live, which means that is ready to be delivered. If you already have a place to Deliver it please open a new ticket or request it from your CMS. To do so go to FAST>Actions>New FAST Delivery