VidiyoFAST Channel Launch Checklist
A complete pre-launch checklist for FAST channel operators: content, technical setup, legal requirements, EPG, monetization, and promotion. Everything to verify before going live.
Use this checklist before going live with a FAST channel. Going through each item doesn't guarantee perfection, but it prevents the most common and costly launch mistakes.
Prefer an interactive version? Use the channel launch checklist tool alongside this guide.
Quick answers
How much unique content do I need before launch? Aim for at least 4 hours of unique programming so day one is not an immediate loop.
Do I need captions before going live? Yes for major TV surfaces. Upload WebVTT or SRT and verify accuracy.
How far ahead should the schedule be built? At least 7 days forward so EPG partners do not show unknown programs.
What is the minimum pre-launch watch test? Watch 15 live minutes across two devices and confirm ads, captions, and EPG titles.
Where is the interactive checklist? /tools/channel-launch-checklist.
Content
- Content library has at least 4 hours of unique programming. Enough for a meaningful day without immediate loops.
- All content is in an accepted format. MP4 or MOV, H.264, at minimum 720p.
- You have the broadcast/FAST rights to every piece of content. Verify rights explicitly, including music licensing.
- All content has closed captions. Required by every major TV platform. Auto-generated captions are acceptable if accurate.
- Content is trimmed of YouTube/podcast-specific intros and outros. Remove platform-specific callouts, subscribe buttons, social handles, etc.
- Aspect ratio is consistent. All content should match your channel's configured orientation (landscape, portrait, or square).
If your library is thin, read launch a FAST channel with no library before you fake depth with endless loops.
Channel setup
- Channel name is set. Clear, descriptive, searchable. Avoid generic names.
- Channel description is written. 2-4 sentences explaining what the channel is and who it's for. This appears in EPG and TV platform guides.
- Channel category is selected. Choose the most accurate primary category for best ad targeting and viewer discovery.
- Channel logo is uploaded. Minimum 500×500px, PNG preferred, transparent background. Readable at small sizes.
- Channel banner/header art is uploaded. 1920×480px or as specified by your platform.
Art and naming mistakes bury good content. Specs and packaging notes: FAST channel channel art specs and FAST channel branding.
Schedule
- Schedule is built at least 7 days forward. TV platforms request EPG data for the next 7 days. Gaps show as "Unknown Program."
- Primetime slots (7-11 PM) are filled with your best content.
- Auto-scheduler or filler content is configured for gaps. No dead air.
- No content is scheduled beyond its rights window (if rights are time-limited).
- Episode titles and descriptions are set on each content item. These populate the EPG.
Scheduling patterns that hold sessions: channel scheduling for 24/7 playout and FAST channel programming strategy.
Technical requirements
- Closed captions are attached to content items. WebVTT or SRT format uploaded alongside content files.
- Content ratings are configured. TV-G, TV-14, TV-MA, etc. Some platforms require content ratings.
- Stream is playable in a browser or test player before publishing.
- HLS manifest loads without errors (if you can access it directly for testing).
Validate manifests with the HLS manifest validator and preview playback in the HLS stream player. Background on tags: HLS manifests explained.
Ad settings
- Ad break schedule is configured. Number of breaks per hour and break duration.
- VAST ad tag URL is entered (if using your own ad server alongside Vidiyo's demand).
- Revenue share terms are reviewed with your platform.
- Floor prices are configured (or you've accepted the platform defaults while building audience).
Pod length affects completion. Plan breaks with the ad pod calculator. Monetization overview: FAST channel monetization.
Legal / compliance
- Rights are documented. For every piece of content, you can name the source of your rights (you own it, licensed from X with FAST rights, public domain).
- FCC caption compliance verified. All content has accurate English captions (for US distribution).
- Content policy compliance. No content violating your platform's TOS or relevant laws.
- Music rights are clear. Every piece of music in your content is either original, licensed with broadcast rights, or under a CC license permitting commercial broadcast.
Caption requirements: FCC captions for FAST channels. Rights pitfalls: FAST platform content licensing.
Pre-launch testing
- Watch 15 minutes of the channel live. Confirm video loads, ads serve, captions display, and there are no buffering issues.
- Check EPG display. View the channel in your platform's guide view and confirm episode titles, descriptions, and times are accurate.
- Test on at least two devices. Web browser and one TV device (Roku, Fire TV, or phone if TV isn't available).
- Verify stream URL shares correctly. Copy the channel URL and open it in an incognito window to confirm it works for unauthenticated viewers.
EPG quality checklist: EPG generation for FAST channels.
Promotion (pre-launch)
- Announce to existing audience (email list, social followers, podcast audience) before launch day so you have day-one viewers.
- Channel URL is documented and shareable.
- "How to watch" instructions are ready for your audience (which devices, which app, how to find the channel).
Day-one viewers matter more than day-one perfection. Warm audiences reduce the cold-start problem on linear TV.
Post-launch monitoring
For the first 48 hours after launch:
- Check concurrent viewer count. Are viewers appearing? (May be small initially; that is normal.)
- Check for stream errors in your platform's error reporting.
- Verify ad serving. Are impressions being logged?
- Review EPG accuracy. Any wrong titles, wrong times, or gaps?
- Confirm auto-scheduler is filling gaps and not leaving dead air overnight.
If something fails, fix technical issues before you rewrite the programming strategy. Analytics primer: FAST channel analytics.
30-day check-in
After 30 days live, review:
- Total viewing hours
- Top content pieces by viewership
- Fill rate and eCPM
- Where are viewers coming from (which platforms, which referrers)?
- What content caused the biggest drop-off in viewership when it aired?
Use this data to adjust your programming and content acquisition strategy for the next 90 days. Revenue modeling help: FAST revenue calculator and planning CPM bands in FAST CPM benchmarks 2026.
Common launch mistakes this checklist catches
- Publishing with placeholder titles. Guides show junk; viewers skip.
- Scheduling only tonight. Partners request multi-day EPG windows.
- Skipping captions. OEM and TV apps bounce non-compliant libraries.
- Never watching the live stream. Studio previews hide player and SSAI issues.
- Launching with zero promotion. Linear channels need a first audience push.
Mistake patterns in more depth: FAST channel mistakes.
What's next
- Interactive tool: channel launch checklist
- How to start a FAST channel
- FAST channel analytics
- Channel scheduling for 24/7 playout
Suggested order on launch week
Day 1-2: Finish content rights, captions, and art. Refuse to schedule files that fail those checks.
Day 3: Build a full 7-day grid with honest titles and descriptions. Primetime gets your best work.
Day 4: Configure ads and watch a live dry run on web plus one TV device.
Day 5: Soft announce to an existing audience. Keep a short "how to watch" note ready.
Day 6-7: Monitor errors, EPG accuracy, and ad impressions. Fix technical issues before rewriting strategy.
Use the interactive channel launch checklist as the running task list while this page stays the long-form reference.
Ready to launch your TV channel?
Vidiyo handles streaming, ads in the stream, the TV guide, and apps on every screen so you can focus on programming.