Setting up avails is the process of defining the retailer, territories, offers and dates where a title is set to go live. This article will go through the initial steps for setting up avails for a title.
First, click the blue "Add New Avails" button under the avails tab.
Next, the user should see the create avail menu, fill out the required fields for the avail.
- Platform - the streaming service or app the avail will go live on.
- Release Type - whether the avail is from an existing Library or New Release
- Type - whether the avail is EST or VOD (for a list of available types, click here).
- Subtype - If the title is VOD, select the category of VOD it is. (for more info on subtypes, click here).
- ALID - Choose an ALID number if available.
- Territory - The geographical location the avail will be going live.
- Territory Template - Choose any of the templates for the particular territory.
NOTE: Users can also create and choose territory templates for titles going out to multiple territories that are frequently used for avails. This saves users time so they don’t have to manually input all the territories for an avail every time. For more information on how to create territory templates, click here.
Users should ensure they are selecting the correct options and entering the correct data before proceeding by referring to their provider/platform's SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) or internal documentation. This workflow may not be supported by the provider or platform.
Users can also generate an Experience ID by checking the Generate Experience ID box.
For episodes, users may also see the "inherit Experience ID from UMCVARID" option below the "Generate Experience ID from Provider Title ID" option.
This ID may have other names such as Vendor ID. This unique ID is typically based on what the provider gives and what platform the avail is going to. Users should refer to their SOP/Internal Documentation on what their unique ID is.
NOTE: Before checking the Generate Experience ID Box, first make sure there's a Provider ID filled in under the metadata tab. Otherwise, users won't be able to generate an Experience ID. For more information on how PDX automatically generates an experience ID, click here.
The bottom section of the Create Avails menu is reserved for EST and TVOD only, since those are the only two types/subtypes of titles that require price points and pre-order info.
Here, users can choose the resolution(s) for their avail. They have the choice between:
- UHD (Ultra High Definition) - Resolutions that are 4k or higher
- HD (High Definition) - Resolutions that are 720p or 1080p
- SD (Standard Definition) - Resolutions lower than 720p
Users can also select the price tier for each selected resolution. Price tier should be entered as the numerical code used by the retailer to define pricing for a title on platform.
Lastly, users can set the time and dates for the pre-order, start date, and end date of the avail.
- Announce Date -An upcoming date for title launch
- Pre-Order - the date that viewers can start purchasing a title before it is available to watch on a platform
- Start Date - the date when the avail goes live on a platform
- End Date - the date when the avail is taken off a platform
- Coming Soon Text - Any extra information about the upcoming details may be entered.
Once all the info in the Create Avail menu is satisfactory, click the blue “Create” button in the bottom right corner.
Users will be taken to this screen to confirm the avails' information. Once it's been checked over one last time, hit the “Submit” button in the bottom right corner. The advantage of this process is being able to create avails in bulk, as shown below.
Once the user clicks "Submit", the user will receive a confirmation at the top of the UI.
The user should see that the avails have been added to the list of avails.