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# Create a playout channel

> Learn to create loop or scheduled channels in FastPix Cloud Playout for continuous or time-based streaming.

Once your media, playlists, and playout elements are ready, create a channel to bring them together for playback.

A channel delivers your content as a continuous, linear stream. Depending on your use case, you can create either a loop channel or a scheduled channel.

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## What is a channel?

A channel brings together:

* Your scheduled programs (VOD or live)
* Playout elements such as bumpers, slates, and overlays
* A start time and end time
* Output delivery to RTMP, HLS, YouTube, Twitch, and other supported destinations

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There are two types of channels you can create:

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**Loop channel**

Runs your content in a continuous cycle. After the playlist ends, it starts again from the beginning. This is ideal for 24/7 streams, evergreen programming, or FAST channels.

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**Scheduled channel**

Plays videos (VOD or live) at specific times. You define the exact start/end time, import playlists, or drop individual media onto a timeline. Great for OTT events, genre programming, or TV-style broadcast blocks.

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## Creating a loop channel

Let's start with the simpler one: a loop channel.

1. Go to the **Cloud Playout** → **Channels** tab.
2. In the **Channel Type** field, ensure that **Loop channel** is selected.
3. Fill in the basic details:
   * **Channel name**: Name for your channel.
   * **Description**: Helps you track the channel purpose later.
4. Set the **Start Time**. The start time must be at least **3 minutes** from the current time.
5. Set the **End Time**
6. Configure the remaining channel settings based on your requirements, including:
   * **Live inputs**
   * **Import captions**
   * Other available channel settings
7. Click **Create channel**.

The channel is created in **Draft** status until you activate it.

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Next steps: [Learn how to add programs and videos to your loop channel](/cloud-playout/create-a-24-7-loop-channel).

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> **PLEASE NOTE**
>
> Encoding tier is based on your subscription plan. Standard supports 1080p resolution whereas Ultra supports encoding up to 4K resolution.

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## Creating a scheduled channel

Scheduled channels offer precise control. You choose exactly what plays and when — perfect for live programming, VOD scheduling, or time-based ad delivery.

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![Create a scheduled channel in FastPix](https://files.readme.io/8ae93dcfcd1ce0e2665d01ef390046e4dd8aac527181125398e59406dc05628b-Create_schedule_channel_-_FastPix.png)

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Here's how to create one:

1. From the **Channels** page, select **Schedule Channel**.
2. Enter the **Name**, **Start Time**, and **End Time**.
3. Optionally, select one or more **Genres**.
4. Click **Create**.

The channel is created in **Draft** status. From the channel overview page, you can edit the channel settings, update the schedule, or delete the channel.

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> **REMINDER**
>
> Activate the channel at least **3 minutes** before the start time. The channel must also contain at least one scheduled media item before it can go live.

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[Check out this guide](/create-channels/create-a-scheduled-channel) to move on to the fun part — adding actual programs and videos into this channel so there's something to stream.

Continue to [Create a scheduled channel](/create-channels/create-a-scheduled-channel) to add programs and media to your channel.