What is a digital signage schedule
The schedule is the programming of screens over time: which content airs, in what order, for how long, on which screens and in which time slots. It's the same idea as a TV schedule, applied to a network of screens that can number in the thousands.
Groups, tags and time slots
With many screens you don't program one screen at a time. Screens are organised into groups and tags, for example by brand, area, store and department, and content is assigned to groups with time rules.
- Groups: all screens in a region, a brand or a department.
- Tags: screen attributes such as format, position or site type.
- Time slots: different content in the morning, at lunch and in the evening.
- Domination: a single campaign across the whole network, when needed.
You prepare the schedule once and it airs everywhere at the right time. FluidNEXT runs schedules across thousands of screens, from a browser.
Audience and impression-based scheduling
In DOOH the schedule is also built on audience: the people passing a screen at 8 a.m. aren't the ones passing at 9 p.m. With impression-based selling you set the goal, target and flight dates and the algorithm distributes the campaign across sites and time slots with the right audience until the goal is met.
Live events and dynamic content
In stadiums the schedule changes during the event too: sponsor rotations by match, half and surface, and goal and penalty creatives that go on air instantly on every screen. On large city formats content can be dynamic and live.
Checking what aired
A schedule is only worth the certainty that it aired. Proof of play logs every play with screen, date and time; 24/7 monitoring flags screens that are off and opens a ticket automatically.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a playlist and a schedule?
A playlist is a sequence of content; the schedule decides which playlists air on which screens and at which times.
Can content differ by store?
Yes. The schedule is tailored by brand, area, store and department, starting from a single plan.
How do I know the schedule aired?
With proof of play, which certifies every play, and 24/7 screen monitoring.