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# Create a scheduled channel

A Scheduled Channel in FastPix lets you run video programming exactly how a traditional TV channel works - content starts and ends at specific times, media plays in a set order, and you have full control over how the schedule looks across the day.

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> **PLEASE NOTE**
>
> If you're coming here directly and haven’t created a Scheduled Channel yet, you can follow [this guide on creating a Scheduled Channel](/cloud-playout/create-a-playout-channel#/creating-a-scheduled-channel) before proceeding. Once the channel exists, you can then program it.

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We will walk through the complete process of programming the channel - adding videos, playlists, live events, bumpers, and creating segments.

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## Step 1: Open your channel

Head to **Cloud Playout → Channels** in the sidebar, select **Scheduled Channel** from the dropdown, and click on the channel you just created. You’ll be taken to the programming view - a calendar-based interface where all your media will appear.

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You’ll also see your channel’s RTMP input URL, which you’ll need later if you’re streaming live events into the schedule.

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## Step 2: Insert content

Click Create Schedule to start adding your first block of content.

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You can insert three types of events:

* **Media** – search and add individual video files
* **Playlist** – import an existing playlist (gets unpacked into individual media)
* **Live Event** – define a duration block for live streaming

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> **PLEASE NOTE**
>
> Use the orange pointer on the timeline to set your insertion point. Everything you add will be placed starting from that position.

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## Step 3: Organize the schedule

Once content is added, you can:

* **Drag to shift the start time** and adjust the position.
* **Delete** items with the trash icon
* **Zoom in** using the time precision dropdown (switch from “Hours” to “Minutes” for shorter items)

Imported playlists will show each media item individually on the timeline, giving you granular control.

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## Step 4: Add bumpers (Pre-roll or Post-roll)

If you want to add an intro clip, ad, or transition, you can insert bumpers before or after any media.

To add a bumper:

1. Click the media block on the calendar
2. Click **Add Pre-roll** or **Add Post-roll**
3. Select a bumper from your library
4. Click **Insert**
5. Hit **Save**

Bumper duration is added to the total event time. Make sure there’s a **gap** between events to insert a bumper. Otherwise, it won't be added.

You can remove bumpers later by clicking the X next to them and saving.

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## Step 5: Segment a media (for Mid-roll Ads)

Segments let you split a longer media file into smaller parts - perfect for inserting mid-roll bumpers.

To create segments:

1. Click the scissor icon on a media event.
2. Add the **start time** of the segment (0 = beginning of video)
3. Set the **segment duration**.

FastPix will automatically create the rest of the segments based on your input. Once added, segments will appear under the media item.

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> **SEGMENT RULES**
>
> * Media must be at least 15 minutes long
> * You can create up to 10 segments
> * Segments can only be created if:
>   * Channel is in running state, and segment time is at least 30 mins ahead of current media
>   * Or, channel is in draft state, and media is at least 30 mins away from start time
> * Media must not have bumpers already attached

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## Step 6: Add bumpers to segments

Segments can have pre-roll and post-roll bumpers just like regular media.

To insert bumpers into a segment:

1. Click the segment
2. Choose Pre-roll or Post-roll
3. Select a bumper and click **Insert**
4. Click **Save**

You can remove these the same way you do with media bumpers.

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## Step 7: Finalize the schedule

With the above steps, you're almost done.

Your programmed calendar will now show a clean timeline of media, playlists, live events, bumpers, and segments - all organized by time.

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**Notes**:

* Your channel must contain **at least one media item**
* You must click **Activate** at least **10 minutes** before the channel start time
* You’ll only see scheduled content for the next **3 hours** from now (if the channel is running) or from the **channel’s start time** (if not yet active).
* If a media item is still being transcoded, you’ll see the **parent video** placeholder instead of the segments - this updates automatically once processing finishes.

Next, If you want to monitor the channel or check what’s playing now - head to the **Channel Monitoring** tab once your channel is live.

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## Things to watch out for

FastPix enforces some smart rules to ensure nothing breaks mid-stream:

* You **can’t add**, **delete**, or **reorder** events that are scheduled to start in the next **10 minutes**
* You can’t add bumpers to media that’s starting within **10 minutes**
* Segmenting is **blocked** if a media item already has bumpers

These rules are in place to prevent accidental scheduling conflicts during live operation.

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