File Delivery Specs for Streaming/FAST Channels

[Mads Nybo jørgensen]

Hey Bryce,

From what I can see, you are looking at services that effectively are just resellers of channel packages – like the old cable networks / satellite TV providers.
Take Philo as an example. Their list of channels is extensive:
https://help.philo.com/channels/

I would expect each individual channel operating a play-out, which is then encoded and streamed via the individual provider.

Can’t imagine any of those channel packaging services to re-encode programs received, except for a specific set-top box.

Unless you want to set up a channel, you’ll need to go to the individual channel providers and ask for their specs, and if they will broadcast your program/channel?

If you want to set-up a channel, you may want to piggyback on an existing play-out operation?

Or you could create your own virtual play-out centre. Operated remotely through a supplier like AWS (One would expect them to have involvement in Amazon Prime Avod, Subscription and PayPerView services).

Hope that this helps.

Atb
Mads

help.philo.com

Channel Lineup | Philo TV Channels List & MGM+ and STARZ Add-Ons

Find Philo's channel lineup, including STARZ and MGM+ add-ons here. Your Philo subscription includes 70+ TV channels and unlimited DVR, all with no contract!

[Bryce Hoover]

I should have been a bit more specific.

My company has it’s own FAST channel. For our channel, I deliver ProRes 422 and another process converts it to whatever format the FAST channel uses.

We also supply promotional content to a bunch of other providers, like FrndlyTV, XUMO, Philo, Sling, Tubi, Vizio, Samsung, Amazon, etc. Everyone has different requirements; some will accept 23.976fps spots, some will only accept 30p. Some limit the file size to less than 20MB, others 200MB. Some will accept ProRes because they’re going to rewrap it for their needs, and others are very specific on every setting.

It’s nearly impossible to get delivery specs for each of the providers/FAST channels. I have to beg for correct delivery specs from my producers and then they have beg someone else, and those people never seem to know who to ask, it’s infuriating.

I wish it was just a matter of googling Deliverable Specs for DirecTV Stream and in the results there would be a link to a DirecTV site with the info laid out. I’ve tried. I would call myself and ask, but who do you call?

It’s like in the old tape days, if you master on DigiBeta and the station/network you’re sending it to can only accept MII or BetaSX; no one seems to know this information until you get the rejection call. That call comes from someone who was told to call you and tell you they can’t accept the tape but they can’t tell you what they need because they’re not “technical”. Back then, you called their production/on-air master control ops center/engineering and someone there would tell you. Sometimes, I really miss the tape days.

[Mads Nybo jørgensen]

Hey Bryce,

Sorry, I am only just going through old emails and realised that I never replied.

I hear you on the good old days, where it was one tape format, delivered to one set of specs.

A part from either getting an assistant, or you yourself, contact all of the different companies. There is one obvious place to start, and that is with the business manager at your firm that signed the contract for delivery.

As that contract should state what is to be delivered. And, if the format is not in the contract, your business manager should reach out to the “other side” and get them at top-level to ask for delivery specs to be forwarded to you.

I know, one should not have to go OTT, but you’ll find that when the boss calls: Everybody will be on the same page.

Once again, sorry for missing your post. Hope that this helps?

Atb
Mads