Spotloader Use Cases for Broadcasters
Spotloader Use Cases for BroadcastersHow do broadcasters use Spotloader?
Use Case:
A group of television stations receiving commercials from hundreds of local advertisers and agencies across dozens of DMAs.
The challenge:
Inconsistent deliveries: Spots arrived via email links and nonspecific
portals—often in the wrong technical specs and missing crucial metadata.
Manual chaos: With no end-to-end automation,
traffic, promotions, and engineering juggled downloads,
renaming, QC, and last-minute scrambles.
Limited visibility:
Lack of centralized view of available assets, approvals, and deliveries
lead to missed windows and makegoods.
Security concerns and hidden costs:
Existing patchwork solution introduced security
concerns and required maintenance by an
already stretched team.
Inefficient digital workflow: Repurposing files for digital/OTT channels involved
editors and disconnected processes.
The solution:
Spotloader was selected as the ideal solution. We interviewed users in different stations and departments to better understand existing workflows, systems, and requirements. Based on this information we created and configured the necessary accounts within Spotloader. A special workflow was developed for digital/OTT teams. We also imported an existing client list and created a process to facility onboarding. Stations installed the Spotloader download application locally in "catch servers" that were already monitored by Telestream Vantage systems. Within two weeks all DMAs were running Spotloader and receiving spots from clients. The group then proceeded to shutdown inefficient and insecure portals and systems running at each station.
Results:
- Streamlined and Secure Workflows: Replaced inefficient, incomplete, and insecure processes with a centralized, robust, and secure platform.
- Standardized Commercial Operations: Integrated local ads and promos into the same workflows and systems already used for other content.
- Early Issue Detection: Spotloader identifies problems with technical specifications, metadata, and compliance much earlier in the process, avoiding last-minute scrambles.
- Exceptional Support: Stations gained qualified human support, production guidance, and hands-on assistance to help resolve urgent or complex situations.
- Central Traffic Operations: A "central traffic" account was created for select users to oversee operations across the entire group. Mini-hubs were also created using Spotloader's flexible architecture.
- Asset Management and Communication: Needed assets can easily be located and communication and collaboration among all stakeholders increased.
- Repurposing Tools: Assets can be automatically converted (trimmed, normalized, transcoded) for use in digital/OTT channels; stations can also validate external MP4 files and VAST tags.
- Tap Into a Growing Network: Stations joined an expanding network of agencies, advertisers, content producers, and other broadcasters already using Spotloader, fostering greater collaboration and efficiency.
- Promo and Client Services Distribution: Stations are able to distribute spots and promos produced in-house to other stations within or outside their group.
- Closed Captioning on Demand: If necessary, stations can easily order closed captioning for a client's spot or for an entire a promo campaign.
Capabilities that made the difference:
-
Single upload:
Upload only one master file and Fig automatically prepares the needed deliverables according to required specs (ask us about standards conversion to/from international media companies). -
Automated QC and spec compliance:
Your content immediately undergoes automated QC against required specs. -
Expert support:
Count on our support team to assist your producers and media coordinators with technical and procedural questions. -
Centralized management:
Each program uploaded is stored on our cloud backed and secured system. This allows the agency and its clients to easily view past programs and make them available to stations as needed without additional uploads. -
Media archive:
Create a library of validated media assets for immediate or future use by various media outlets. -
Centralized management:
Monitor the status of files and deliveries from a centralized location with real-time statuses and receipts. -
Metadata done right:
IDs and required fields bring your files up to industry standards and ensure clear communication with everyone involved. - Fewer scrambles:
Reduce rejections, resubmits, and late fixes with exception-based monitoring. -
Captioning and embedding:
Order closed captioning for programs with the click of a button. All captions created by humans, manually placed on the screen away from important information, and checked for FCC/ADA compliance and best practices.
Use Case:
Broadcast group promo distribution with Spotloader
Who's involved:
Marketing/creative services, station traffic, station master control, and occasional external stations and partners.Core flow:
Prep and upload
Creative exports final :15/:30 promos.
Marketing uploads to Spotloader, along with unique IDs, titles, and other metadata.
Files undergo automated QC to ensure key specs are met and are compatible with subsequent
systems and
transcoders.
Target stations
Receiving destinations can be selected individually, from pre-defined lists, or by city/DMA.
List of receiving destinations can include digital/OTT channels.
All deliverables are prepared to match required specs and other requirements.
Extend outside the group
Optionally, include partner/outside stations to distribution.
Spotloader provisions secure delivery and matches required specs.
Media library
New uploads become part of the media library and can be sent to additional destinations as needed.
Files can also be
requested by stations and central operators, depending on permission settings.
Optional closed captioning
Closed captioning* can be ordered
as an optional service in the upload form.
Spotloader stations only pay a small, flat rate per promo/spot!
When CC is ordered, Spotloader waits for job completion before executing a distribution.
* FCC/ADA-compliant captioning, manually placed by humans to avoid on-screen CTAs, lower-thirds, and important information.
Results:
Faster promo deliveries to the entire group and outside stations.
Integrated, high-quality captioning when needed.
Tight control over versioning, metadata, recipients, and specs.
Clear audit trails along the way.
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