VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin

Introduction

The VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin is designed to enhance the functionality of video broadcasting platforms by organizing scheduling and tracking of video playlists. It allows broadcasters to plan and display video shows in customizable time slots, ensuring a smooth and sequential playback experience. This plugin is particularly beneficial for managing broadcast schedules across different time zones and ensuring that viewers are informed of upcoming shows.

Feature Overview

Calendar Display

The plugin includes a calendar interface that displays scheduled shows to end users, showcasing the day and time for each planned broadcast. This feature is designed to maintain uniformity and clarity, adapting to various time zones to ensure all users see the correct scheduling information.

Key Features

1. Show as Playlist of Videos:

   • Playlist Correspondence: Each scheduled show is linked to a specific playlist of videos. The title of the show matches the playlist name, and individual videos within the playlist are treated as distinct episodes.
   • Show Host: The user who owns the playlist is designated as the show host.

2. Administration and Scheduling:

   • Administrative Control: Only users with administrative privileges can schedule shows.
   • Time Slot Management: Shows can be scheduled in 30-minute increments. Administrators have the flexibility to extend a show's duration across multiple consecutive time slots.

3. Enhanced Customization:

   • Custom Notes: Administrators can personalize time slots with custom notes. This customization supports HTML content, allowing for varied text styles and background colors, facilitated by an integrated HTML editor.

4. Sequential Play and Accessibility:

   • Orderly Playback: Shows are set to play in a sequential order. For instance, if a show is scheduled every Tuesday at 01:00 UTC, the episodes will stream sequentially each week.
   • Video On Demand (VOD): Post-live stream, episodes become available as VOD, allowing users to view them at their convenience.

5. User Responsibilities:

   • Playlist Management: Show hosts must actively manage their playlists by continuously adding new episodes.
   • Episode Activation: Videos within the playlist are initially set to inactive and are activated and made public only after they have been broadcasted as scheduled episodes.

Implementation and Usage

Scheduling a Show

To schedule a show, an administrator must:

1. Select a date and time from the integrated calendar interface.
2. Assign a playlist to the selected time slot, effectively scheduling the show.

Advanced Scheduling Techniques

• Multiple Day Scheduling: Users can schedule a playlist to play across multiple days at specified times. For example, scheduling a show for Monday and Wednesday at 3 PM means the playlist will sequentially cycle through its videos, starting with the first video on Monday, the second on Wednesday, and so on.

• Different Schedules, Same Playlist: If a playlist is scheduled for different days or times (e.g., Monday at 3 PM and Wednesday at 5 PM), each instance will start with the first video of the playlist during its initial broadcast.

Conclusion

The VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin offers a robust solution for managing video playlists and broadcast schedules on digital platforms. It enhances viewer engagement by ensuring broadcasts are well-organized and information about them is clearly communicated. This plugin is ideal for platforms looking to streamline their video content delivery and improve audience retention.