Create a new channel
The Channel Management app enables you to create channels in a way that ensures data consistency and synchronisation between OPF and SSP, and that the two systems are linked together in a standardised way.
This document provides information to help you understand the configuration options available when creating a channel, and the effects of your choices at each stage of the process.
Before you start
To create a channel more quickly and efficiently, it’s useful to gather all of the information required and have it ready before you start.
Check the information requirements in the highlighted tables in this document. Depending on your selections as you move through each stage, you will need to enter some (or all) of this information to successfully complete the channel creation process.
Create a new channel
To create a new channel:
Select Channel Management.
Click the Create Channel button.
Use the wizard to guide you through the process. Any validation errors will be flagged up.
1. Core Information
This page enables you to add the core information for your channel.
Use the information in this table to help you complete the fields.
Field | Definition | Info |
|---|---|---|
Distribution | The channel Distribution field defines the intended ways that the channel will be distributed to end users. The three options are: | The information required during channel creation depends on the distribution method that you select. |
OTT An OTT (“over the top”) channel is streamed directly over the internet, bypassing traditional distribution methods such as cable or satellite TV. | If OTT is selected: No broadcast information will be required during the channel creation process, and only base channel information and OTT technical channel information can be specified. No data is created in SSP for an OTT channel. | |
Broadcast A broadcast channel is distributed to end users via methods such as cable or satellite TV | If Broadcast is selected: Only base, broadcast and technical information can be specified during the creation process. For an OTT channel, data is created in both OPF and SSP for the channel. | |
Hybrid A hybrid channel is a combination of an OTT channel and a broadcast channel. Content can be streamed over the internet, as well as distributed via methods such as cable or satellite TV. | If Hybrid is selected: Base, broadcast and OTT information can be specified as part of the creation process. Data is created in both OPF and SSP. | |
Name | The (human-readable) name for the channel. | This will also be prefixed to the name of any Technical Channels created. |
Description | Description of the channel | This will be stored as non-localised metadata on the Editorial Channel created. Localised descriptions can be added post channel creation if required. |
Start | The start date/time for the channel. | The date/time when the channel becomes active and valid for consumption by the end user. |
End | The end date/time for the channel. | The date/time when the channel becomes inactive and can no longer be consumed by the end user. |
Provider ID | The ID of the metadata provider who provides the metadata for the channel. | The providers are configured as part of configuration during the OPF deployment process. A single metadata provider must be selected for each channel, with the default provider ID being “GLOBAL”. |
Provider Resource ID | The ID of the channel in the external system of the selected provider. | This ID must be known by the person setting up the channel, based on which metadata provider is being used. This value must be retrieved from that external provider system and associated with the channel being created. |
Click the Next button to continue.
2. Broadcast Information (for Broadcast and Hybrid domains only)
This page enables you to add the network and DVB information for your Broadcast or Hybrid channel. (This page is not available for OTT channels).
Click the Add DVB Info button to add an editable DVB information row. You can also create additional DVB information rows if required (for example if a channel has multiple DVB Triplets).
Use the information in this table to help you complete the fields.
Field | Definition | Info |
|---|---|---|
Network | Identifier of the Network in SSP to which the channel should be associated. | All services that are created in SSP for this channel will be associated with this selected SSP Network. |
DVB Info | A grouping of the values displayed below. | There can be 0 - n number of DVB Info objects created for a channel. Each DVB info object created will result in a new SSP service being created. |
UID | Unique identifier for the DVB Info object. | Stored on DVB Info object on the OPF Editorial Channel. Each Editorial Channel has a list of DVB Info objects associated with it. For each of those DVB Info objects, one service is created in SSP with a key containing the UID matching that of the DVB info object. |
NID | Network Identifier A unique identifier assigned to a digital television network within the DVB system. | Stored on DVB Info object on the OPF Editorial Channel. |
ONID | Original Network Identifier (ONID) The unique identifier for the original network, i.e., the network where the service first originated. | Stored on the DVB Info object on the OPF Editorial Channel. It is used to ensure that the service can be correctly identified, even if it is being relayed through different networks. |
SID | Service Identifier Used in DVB systems to uniquely identify individual services within a transport stream. | Stored on the DVB Info object on the OPF Editorial Channel. |
TSID | Transport Stream Identifier | Stored on the DVB Info object on the OPF Editorial Channel. A digital transport stream may use multiple transport streams to deliver different sets of channels. Each transport stream is assigned its own TSID to facilitate identification by receivers. |
ACRef | Access Criteria Reference | Stored in the SSP service. The ACRef is used to help the system determine access rights to a specific service in the SSP database. |
EMI | Encryption Method (EMI) is a 16-bit value that uniquely identifies the way a transport stream is encrypted. | Stored on the SSP Service. |
Click the Next button to continue.
3. Playback Variant Information
This page enables you to add playback variants for your channel.
OTT: An OTT channel can have anywhere from zero to multiple OTT playback variants.
Broadcast: A broadcast channel has a single DVB playback variant.
Hybrid: A hybrid channel combines these characteristics, having exactly one DVB playback variant and anywhere from zero to multiple OTT playback variants.
DVB Playback Variant
For broadcast and hybrid channels, you can set the FreeAccess property. This flag is set on the SSP Channel associated with the DVB variant and signifies that the channel is free to consume.
OTT Playback Variants
Click the Add DVB Info button to add an editable OTT playback variant row.
Use the information in this table to help you complete the fields.
Field | Definition | Info |
|---|---|---|
Name | Name of the playback variant | |
Profile | The streaming profile associated with the Technical Channel. | Used by the OPF system to map Technical Channels to specific device types. |
Type | The streaming protocol of the OTT variant. Possible values are: DASH (Dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP) SS (Smooth streaming) |
To create additional OTT playback variants, click the Add Playback Variant button again.
Click the Next button to continue.
4. Review
You can now review the OFP and SSP entities for the channel that you're creating.
When you’re ready to create the channel, click the Create Channel button.
If any errors occur during the creation process, the changes will be rolled back.
When the channel creation is complete, the Channel Management page is displayed.