Block Definitions
Administrator task. Open System > Block definitions. A block definition describes a commercial position within an hour; it does not by itself place that block into the station's week.
Create A Definition
- Select Add block definition....
- Enter a descriptive Block name.
- Select an External reference if this definition shares a playout identity with an alternative definition.
- Set Start position (minutes) to the intended minute in the hour.
- Set positive, realistic limits in Max. duration (secs) and Max. nr of commercials.
- Choose optional Opener, Between and Closer items.
- Select Add, reopen the definition and verify its values.
- Add the definition to the appropriate Hour Template.
| Field | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Block name | Human-readable label for this definition. |
| External reference | Optional shared block identity for integration. A definition without one uses its own identity. |
| Start position (minutes) | Minute offset in the hour, normally 0-59. It is a planning position, not an instruction that independently starts playout. |
| Max. duration (secs) | Maximum combined transition time of the campaign material. Enter seconds: 180 means three minutes. |
| Max. nr of commercials | Maximum scheduled item count; a main spot plus tag on consumes two positions. |
| Opener / Between / Closer | Static items added before, between and after the block's campaign items in the resulting playlist. |
Only Static items are offered for the fixed presentation assignments. Prepare them under Commercials > Static items first.
Reserve Realistic Capacity
Suppose a three-minute on-air slot needs a five-second opener and five-second closer. Commercial capacity must leave room for those elements, and for any separators. The planner's commercial-duration check uses Start next item on campaign material and does not add the fixed presentation time.
Do not assume a duration of zero means unlimited capacity: the planner compares proposed material directly with the configured maximum. Check both the duration limit and the item-count limit.
Campaigns use their allowed block definitions together with the actual hour/day/week templates. A definition that exists in this list but is absent from the applicable templates offers no placement opportunity there.
Change Or Delete A Definition
Use the pencil icon and Save for changes. Saving requests a background layout update. Inspect affected open days, campaign notifications and the actual studio result afterwards. Already downloaded schedules require separate coordination.
The list shows deletion only when allowed by its dependencies and relevant schedule use. Remove or replace template/campaign references deliberately before retiring a definition. Avoid recreating definitions as a shortcut to renaming: new records can have different integration identities.