Schedule multiple episodes using collections

Let's schedule a series using a collection such that multiple episodes will be scheduled in the calendar in one go.

Assumption: When scheduled, the assets in the program should be arranged in a random sequence irrespective of the asset order chosen while building the master collection.

To schedule multiple episodes using a collection, follow the below steps:

1. From the CONTENT MANAGER pane → Collection tab, locate the master collection if it is already available in the PLANNER application. Else, build a new master collection. Check out this section for details.

2. Ensure that the ad media is configured for this collection before scheduling. 

• If you want the episodes to occupy approximate block duration while scheduling, follow the steps outlined in this section.

• If you want the episode to occupy the exact block duration while scheduling, follow the steps outlined in this section.

3. Ensure that the scheduling date (the day on which the non-episodic program has to be scheduled) is visible in the scheduling calendar.

4. From the CONTENT MANAGER pane, drag the collection to the scheduled start time and date in the calendar.  
   
    
   
      

5. Configure the Schedule Collection window that is displayed on the right pane of the PLANNER application. 

   1. On the left pane in the Schedule Collection window, select the Schedule Type as: Series-Season or Open Series, and provide the required target duration.

• Choose Series-Season if the series needs to be split into various seasons, where each season will comprise multiple episodes that revolve around a specific topic.

• Choose Open Series if each series need to be directly split into multiple episodes without any seasons.

2. On the right pane in the Schedule Collection window, select the required programs/day. 

3. Ensure that the ‘Start time’ chosen in the Schedule Collection window matches the start time of the first episode in the series.
   Note: If you provide more than one program/day, ensure that you provide the corresponding start times. For example, if you choose programs/day as 2, in addition to Start Time 1 (by default, the scheduled start time is displayed here), you need to provide the scheduled start time of Program 2 in the Start Time 2 field.

4. Choose the Schedule Pattern per your requirement. For example, choose Daily if the episodes need to be scheduled daily. Else, choose any other specific pattern. 

5. Choose the start and end of the scheduling date based on the number of episodes you want to schedule.

Note: The total number of episodes that can be scheduled varies based on the number of programs chosen per day and the scheduling duration.

For example, if you want to schedule 90 episodes, choose Programs/Day as 1, and schedule the duration from March 13 to June 10 because only one episode will be scheduled per day. If you choose Programs/Day as 2, the duration to schedule 90 episodes will be lesser (from March 13 to April 26) because two episodes will be scheduled per day.   

                        

6. Optional step: If the metadata was not provided while creating the collection, you can provide them (metadata for series, season, and episode) now. Else, leave this section as it is.

7. Click the Rules tab on the right pane, and configure the following:

   1. Choose the number of ad breaks that you wish to schedule in the program.

   2. Choose the asset order of the program as Shuffle. This ensures that the assets in the program will be ordered in a random sequence when scheduled, irrespective of the sequence in which assets are ordered in the master collection. 
               

6. Click the SCHEDULE button available in the bottom-right corner of the Schedule Collection window.
   
   

 Once done, a series of 90 episodes will be scheduled.