Ads vs. Ad Slates: The Basics

Modified on Thu, Jul 27, 2023 at 11:52 AM

Understanding the different between Ads and Ad Slates is crucial; both can be pulled by the CMS to fill ad breaks, but in different circumstances, and with different consequences regarding monetization.




Key Terms/Concepts:


Ads: These are advertisements provided by advertising partners through contract with your AOR to fill the ad breaks programmed into and around your content. When triggered, they generate revenue for your company along terms contracted for you by your AOR.


Ad Breaks (These are what in broadcast television are termed "Ad Signals")


Specified units of time scheduled/designed by your team in relationship to your content (both VOD and linear content) wherein ads are "filled" or "served." These ad breaks can be inserted before (pre-roll) or after (post-roll) content or at logical breaks in action and dialogue during the content itself (mid-roll). 

For more information on the different types of ad breaks, please see our article explaining all things ads, here.


Ad Slates: Ad slates are generated and programmed by your team; they are two minutes in length, and are automatically inserted into any ad break in your content for which there are no appropriate, available ads. Ad Slates will not generate ad revenue when triggered.


For more information on slates, how they work, and their requirements, please see our article on all things slates, here.


AOR (Agency of Record): This is the entity tasked with negotiating with advertisers for ads for your apps and/or channels. They set up terms and revenue shares on your behalf. This might be OTTera, or a Third Party. The AOR is the keeper of all information about generated ad revenue, and all particulars about channel/app performance related to ads.

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