.Over the last few years, there has been a dramatic increase in the popularity of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels as consumers weary of paying for a plethora of different video streaming services. Sixty percent of American homes now get FAST cable. Since they function similarly to conventional TV channels yet are designed for OTT and CTV devices, they are particularly well-liked by those who have cut the cord. There are several methods to earn money with your FAST channel. Server-side ad placement is a viable alternative (SSAI).
What Is SSAI?
Ads are added to videos via a ssai server-side ad insertion technique. SSAI is most often seen in longer forms of video content and enables a smooth transition between the content and adverts, as well as returning to the content. Users of streaming services are given an experience similar to that of traditional television viewers, complete with instantaneous ad delivery and no buffering.
However, SSAI enables latency-free DAI, which is unavailable on television. With the use of an AdTech method known as ad stitching, a server-side video ad insertion may distribute dynamic content in the middle of a video stream depending on the device and available bandwidth. SSAI adapts the ad’s bit rate and format to the user’s connection speed and device.
To circumvent ad blockers, the ad insertion server side has shown to be an efficient strategy. Your video advertisements will be almost undetected by ad blockers if you utilize this method to combine the content you want to display with the advertisements.
How do SSAI works?
The method of delivering advertisements in SSAI is smooth and blends seamlessly into the stream, which is a huge benefit for consumers of video streams. The advertisements that the server processes are invisible to the viewer (client). Here’s how SSAI tech works in real-time during an OTT, CTV, or VOD stream:
The video player makes a request to the SSAI supplier when the viewer starts the stream. Details about the user’s device, ISP, bandwidth, and geographical location are all included.
The output of an ad decision server is a manifest. Similar to a playlist, the manifest contains information such as the length of time spent on each video segment, advertising that will play throughout the streaming process, and beacons that will trigger ad calls.
The manifest will be used by the content delivery network (CDN) to activate the playlist that delivers the stream to the user. The CDN receives the advertisements, transcodes them, and inserts them into the program stream, rather than the user.
When these beacons are reached during playback, the video player immediately sends an ad request to the ad decision server, and the content delivery network (CDN) inserts an ad break. The streaming activity is monitored by the server-side ad insertion services, which then notify the viewer that advertisements are now being shown.
What are the benefits of server-side ad insertion?
Advantages abound when ads are inserted on the server rather than the client. Included in SSAI benefits are
- The whole experience for the user is enhanced. Neither cable television nor over-the-top (OTT) content has any blatant transitions like blank displays, loading pages, or pauses.
- To provide the best possible watching experience regardless of the user’s connection speed or device, we use adaptive bit rate streaming.
- By doing away with buffering and latency, the user experience is more stable and uninterrupted.
- Keeping your video monetization and advertising income possibilities open by evading detection by ad blockers.
- Maintaining a steady stream and replay ensures more viewer involvement.
- Advertising that is contextually relevant to the video being viewed.
Considerations On How To Monetize Your FAST Channel With SSAIÂ
Some fundamental technological and economic choices will need to be made if your company is going to join the expanding FAST channel ecosystem.
To start, you’ll need a channel origination platform, which is what you’ll use to convert your video-on-demand (VOD) contents into a continuous linear channel. You may stop worrying about spending all day making schedules and instead concentrate on other important aspects of running your company.
The next step is choosing a distribution strategy for your channel. Is this a new market for you, or do you currently operate a video streaming service? Launching your channel on a platform where you already have a presence digitally may provide you greater creative freedom, but it will need you to generate all of your own views.
The main benefit of partnering with a platform is that it increases the exposure of your channel, but you should be aware that in exchange, they will take a 30–40% cut of your advertising earnings.Â
One of the other crucial requirements for FAST channels and the finest TV experience is an app, and this may be taken handled by integrating with current platforms. You’ll need a channel delivery method if your target audience is on mobile devices and you’re launching a FAST service.
If you and your business undervalue the intricacy of this process, you might be in for some trouble down the line. It’s possible to do everything on your own, but you’ll have to pay for certification for each platform where you want to distribute your software.
If you don’t want to go the platform way, there are a few paid services that will provide a turnkey, branded app experience across all these devices.
Last but not least, you’ll need a system in place for offloading unsold ad space. Your ad inventory is the space where your adverts will appear. It’s likely that the platform you join up for will make this determination for you.
Conclusion
The FAST market is expanding quickly, yet it is still in its early stages. Attractive to many businesses because of the billions of dollars in advertising income generated over more than 500 distinct channels. Launching your own FAST channel to get a slice of that massive income potential is simple.
If you know how to maximize the value of your current content collection and work with a few key partners.
