How to Use the Broadcast Scheduler

How to Use the Broadcast Scheduler

The Broadcast Scheduler automates playback across a weekly timetable. Define entries that trigger sequences at set times on chosen days, and Backstage switches between them automatically. Use it for venues that run fixed daily or weekly programming — museum loops, exhibition schedules, lobby displays, or any installation that needs unattended content rotation on a clock.

Note: This page covers the Broadcast Scheduler window in Backstage — the full editing interface where you create, configure, and manage schedules. There is also a Broadcast Scheduler block available in the Web Console for read-only monitoring (a week-plan view with legend, current-time indicator, and enable toggle). For Web Console setup, see How to Build and Serve Web Pages with the Web Console.

[USER-ACTION-REQUIRED: Attach a screenshot of the Broadcast Scheduler window here]

Before you start

• At least one Sequence exists in the Sequencer with content on its timeline
• You know which sequences should play at which times during the week
• Backstage is running and a project is loaded

Steps

1. Open the Broadcast Scheduler window

Switch to the Broadcast Scheduler workview by pressing Ctrl+6, or open the window from the menu: View > Broadcast Scheduler.

The window has two panels. The left panel lists all broadcast scheduler entities. The right panel shows the editor for the selected scheduler, with entry tables and a weekly calendar visualization at the bottom.

2. Create a broadcast scheduler

In the left panel, click + Add Broadcast Scheduler. A new scheduler appears in the list with a default name. Double-click the name to rename it.

A green dot next to a scheduler's name means an entry is currently active. A grey dot means it is stopped or no entry matches the current time.

Schedulers that are driven by a node in the Node Editor show a [node] suffix and cannot be renamed or deleted from this window — manage them through the node instead.

3. Add a base schedule entry

In the right panel, expand the Base Schedule section. Click + Add base entry. A new row appears in the entry table.

Each base entry row has these columns:

A colored marker on the left of each row matches the entry's bar in the weekly calendar at the bottom. Colors are assigned automatically and stay stable when you reorder entries.

4. Set the entry's time, target, and days

1. Set the Start and End time by typing into the hour, minute, and second fields.

2. Choose a Target sequence from the dropdown.

3. Click the day letters to select which days of the week this entry should run.

4. Set Play mode — PlayUntil loops the sequence until the end time, Once plays it a single time from the start time, PlayEndless loops it indefinitely until the next entry takes over.

5. Add an override event (optional)

Expand the Overrides / Events section and click + Add override event. Override entries work like base entries but use a date range instead of weekday buttons. They take precedence over base schedule entries (when both layers overlap, the override wins).

Set the start and end date fields (YYYY-MM-DD) and configure time, target, and play mode as with base entries.

6. Enable the entry

Check the On checkbox to enable the entry. It will now participate in schedule evaluation.

7. Configure scheduler options in the Inspector

Select the scheduler in the left panel, then open the Inspector (right-side panel). The Broadcast Scheduler section shows configuration options that apply to the entire scheduler:

• Name and Label — display name and optional label.

• Clock — which clock drives schedule evaluation (see Options explained).

• Preemption — how transitions between entries are handled.

• Transitions section — default fade-in, fade-out mode and duration.

• Fallback section — the sequence to play when no entry matches, and whether to loop it.

• Display section — first day of week and transition logging.

8. Enable the scheduler

At the top of the editor (right panel), check the Enabled checkbox. The status bar next to it shows the current time, the active entry name, the next upcoming entry, and the scheduler's status.

The weekly calendar at the bottom of the editor visualizes all enabled entries as colored bars across the seven-day grid. A vertical line marks the current time (when using the system or global clock).

9. Reorder entries by dragging

Drag an entry row up or down within its section (Base Schedule or Overrides) to reorder it. A horizontal line shows the insertion point. Entry colors stay stable across reordering.

Options explained

Clock modes (Inspector)

Preemption modes (Inspector)

Transition options (Inspector)

Fallback options (Inspector)

Display options (Inspector)

Entry play modes (per entry)

Entry priority (per entry)

Common Mistakes

• Entries stay disabled after creation — New entries are created with the On checkbox off. You must enable them manually after configuring time, target, and days. This is by design so you can set up the entry before it goes live.

• No target sequence selected — An entry without a target sequence in the Target dropdown will not trigger any playback, even if it is enabled and matches the current time.

• End time ignored in Once/PlayEndless modes — The End column only applies when Play is set to PlayUntil. In Once mode the sequence plays through once; in PlayEndless it loops until another entry takes over. The end-time field is greyed out for these modes.

• Scheduler not enabled — The Enabled checkbox at the top of the editor must be checked for the scheduler to evaluate entries. If the scheduler is disabled, nothing runs regardless of entry configuration.

• Wrong clock mode — If you are using PTP sync across multiple servers, set Clock to GlobalClock so all servers evaluate the schedule from the same time source. SystemClock uses each machine's local time, which may drift.

Tips

• Use the weekly calendar at the bottom of the editor to visually verify your schedule. Each entry appears as a colored bar. Gaps (white space) mean the fallback sequence will play during those times.

• Set a fallback sequence in the Inspector so there is always content playing, even outside scheduled entry times.

• Use Overrides / Events for one-off date-specific events (holidays, special shows) that should take priority over the regular weekly base schedule.

• Right-click an entry row for a context menu with a Remove option.

• The Early start option in the Inspector lets you begin a fade transition before the scheduled start time, so the content is fully visible exactly when the entry is supposed to start.

Related

• Build a Multi-Step Show — build multi-step show sequences using the Stepper.

• How to Build and Serve Web Pages with the Web Console — includes the read-only Broadcast Scheduler block for operator monitoring.

• Your First Graph — get started with the Node Editor, which can also host and control broadcast schedulers via the Broadcast Scheduler node.

• How to Create Crossfade Transitions Between Events — configure transitions between events in the Sequencer timeline.