How does SignageStudio handle schedule conflicts?

When multiple campaigns are valid for a screen at the same time, SignageStudio uses priority to resolve conflicts. Higher priority campaigns override lower ones. If priorities are equal, the more specific schedule wins (e.g., time-based over all-day). You can view the effective schedule in the screen preview to see what will actually play.

Can I schedule different content for different times of day?

Yes, SignageStudio supports dayparting - scheduling different content for different times. Create separate campaigns for each daypart (morning, afternoon, evening) with appropriate time rules. Each campaign can have its own playlist. The scheduling engine automatically switches content based on the current time in the player's timezone.

How do I create recurring schedules in SignageStudio?

For recurring schedules, create a campaign with the appropriate recurrence pattern. Select 'Recurring' in the date options and choose daily, weekly, monthly, or custom. For weekly patterns, select specific days. For monthly, choose specific dates or relative days (first Monday, last Friday). Campaigns will automatically activate according to the pattern.

What happens if scheduled content isn't available?

If scheduled content fails to download or isn't available, SignageStudio falls back to the next priority level. If a lower-priority campaign is valid, it plays instead. If no valid campaigns exist, the player shows its default content or the last successfully cached content. Configure a low-priority 'default' campaign to ensure screens never go blank.

Can I schedule content for specific screens only?

Yes, campaigns can target specific screens, screen groups, locations, or tags. In the campaign wizard, select your targets in the assignment step. You can target by individual screen name, group membership, geographic location, or custom tags. The same playlist can be used in multiple campaigns with different targets.

Scheduling & Playlists

Name: SignageStudio
Rating: 4.8 (1250 reviews)
Author: MediaSignage

Automate Your Content

SignageStudio's scheduling engine lets you automate content delivery based on time, date, location, and more. Create playlists, configure dayparting, and manage campaigns to ensure the right content plays at the right time.

Scheduling Concepts

Hierarchy Overview

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   SCHEDULING HIERARCHY                           │
│                                                                  │
│   ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│   │  CAMPAIGNS                                               │  │
│   │  └─► Playlists + Schedule Rules + Target Screens         │  │
│   └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                            ▼                                     │
│   ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│   │  PLAYLISTS                                               │  │
│   │  └─► Scenes + Media + Duration + Order                   │  │
│   └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                            ▼                                     │
│   ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│   │  SCENES / MEDIA                                          │  │
│   │  └─► Individual content items with properties            │  │
│   └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                                                                  │
│   Schedule Resolution:                                           │
│   1. Player checks assigned campaigns                            │
│   2. Evaluates schedule rules (time, date, priority)            │
│   3. Plays matching playlist                                     │
│   4. Cycles through playlist items                               │
│                                                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key Terms

Term	Definition
Scene	A designed layout with content
Playlist	Ordered collection of scenes/media
Campaign	Playlist + schedule rules + targets
Schedule	Rules defining when content plays
Daypart	Time-of-day content segment
Priority	Override level for competing content

Creating Playlists

New Playlist

Go to Campaigns → Playlists → New Playlist
Name your playlist
Add content items
Configure order and durations

Adding Content

Method	Description
Drag from library	Drag scenes/media into playlist
Browse button	Click "+" to browse and select
Bulk import	Select multiple items at once
Duplicate	Copy existing playlist and modify

Playlist Settings

Setting	Options	Description
Play Order	Sequential, Shuffle, Random	How items rotate
Default Duration	Seconds	Time per item if not specified
Transition	Cut, Fade, etc.	Between item transition
Transition Duration	Milliseconds	Transition speed
Loop	Yes/No	Repeat when finished

Item Configuration

For each item in the playlist:

Property	Description
Duration	How long this item plays (seconds)
Play Count	Number of times to play
Weight	Priority in shuffle mode
Validity	Date range for this item
Conditions	Play only when conditions met

Creating Campaigns

Campaign Structure

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     CAMPAIGN CONFIGURATION                       │
│                                                                  │
│   BASIC INFO                                                     │
│   ├── Name: Summer Promotion 2026                               │
│   ├── Status: Active                                            │
│   └── Priority: Normal                                          │
│                                                                  │
│   CONTENT                                                        │
│   └── Playlist: Summer Promos Playlist                          │
│                                                                  │
│   SCHEDULE                                                       │
│   ├── Date Range: June 1 - Aug 31, 2026                         │
│   ├── Days: Monday - Friday                                     │
│   ├── Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM                                   │
│   └── Exceptions: July 4 (Independence Day)                     │
│                                                                  │
│   TARGETS                                                        │
│   ├── Screen Groups: Retail Locations                           │
│   └── Individual: Store #42, Store #57                          │
│                                                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

New Campaign Wizard

Step 1: Basic Information

Campaign name
Description (optional)
Priority level

Step 2: Content Selection

Choose existing playlist
Or create new playlist inline

Step 3: Schedule Rules

Date range
Days of week
Time of day
Exceptions

Step 4: Target Assignment

Select screen groups
Select individual screens
Preview affected displays

Step 5: Review and Activate

Summary of settings
Activate or save as draft

Schedule Rules

Date Range Scheduling

Rule Type	Example	Use Case
Always	No restrictions	Default content
Date Range	Jan 1 - Jan 31	Monthly campaigns
Specific Dates	Dec 25, Dec 31	Holiday content
Recurring	First Monday each month	Regular events

Time-of-Day (Dayparting)

Daypart	Typical Hours	Content Focus
Morning	6 AM - 11 AM	Breakfast, news, commute
Midday	11 AM - 2 PM	Lunch specials, productivity
Afternoon	2 PM - 5 PM	Snacks, afternoon slump
Evening	5 PM - 9 PM	Dinner, family, entertainment
Night	9 PM - 6 AM	Late night, different audience

Dayparting Example

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    RESTAURANT DAYPARTING                         │
│                                                                  │
│  TIME           CONTENT                   PRIORITY               │
│  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│  6 AM - 10 AM   Breakfast Menu            Normal                │
│  10 AM - 11 AM  Transition (All Day)      Normal                │
│  11 AM - 4 PM   Lunch Menu                Normal                │
│  4 PM - 5 PM    Happy Hour Promos         High                  │
│  5 PM - 9 PM    Dinner Menu               Normal                │
│  9 PM - 11 PM   Late Night Menu           Normal                │
│  11 PM - 6 AM   Closed Message            Low                   │
│                                                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Day-of-Week Scheduling

Pattern	Days	Use Case
Weekdays	Mon-Fri	Business content
Weekends	Sat-Sun	Leisure content
Specific Days	Mon, Wed, Fri	Recurring promotions
Every Day	All	General content

Priority System

Priority	Level	Behavior
Emergency	Highest	Overrides all, immediate
High	80	Overrides normal/low
Normal	50	Standard content
Low	20	Fills gaps, fallback
Default	10	Plays when nothing else

When multiple campaigns are valid:

Highest priority wins
Same priority: most specific schedule wins
Tie: most recently modified

Advanced Scheduling

Conditional Playback

Play content based on conditions:

Condition	Example	Content
Weather	Temperature > 80°F	Cold drink promos
Time	Happy hour (4-6 PM)	Drink specials
Day type	Rainy day	Umbrella sales
Inventory	Stock > 100	Product promotion
Custom trigger	API signal	Dynamic content

Recurring Schedules

Pattern	Configuration
Daily	Every day at same time
Weekly	Same day(s) each week
Monthly	Same date(s) each month
Quarterly	Beginning of each quarter
Custom	Cron-style expressions

Exception Dates

Exception Type	Example
Holiday	Christmas Day - show holiday content
Blackout	Election Day - no political ads
Event	Store closing - special message
Override	Flash sale - priority content

Screen Targeting

Target Types

Target	Description
All Screens	Every screen in account
Screen Groups	Predefined groups
Locations	By geographic location
Individual Screens	Specific displays
Tags	Screens with matching tags

Screen Groups

Create logical groups for targeting:

Group	Screens	Content
Lobby Displays	Reception, entrance	Welcome messages
Meeting Rooms	Conference rooms	Room schedules
Break Rooms	Kitchen, lounge	News, social
Retail Front	Storefront windows	Promotions

Location-Based Targeting

Level	Example
Country	All US stores
Region	Northeast region
State	California stores
City	San Francisco
Store	Store #123

Calendar View

Managing Schedules Visually

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    SCHEDULE CALENDAR VIEW                        │
│                                                                  │
│  ◄ February 2026 ►                                               │
│                                                                  │
│  Mon     Tue     Wed     Thu     Fri     Sat     Sun            │
│  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│  │       │       │       │       │       │   1   │   2   │      │
│  │       │       │       │       │       │       │       │      │
│  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│  │   3   │   4   │   5   │   6   │   7   │   8   │   9   │      │
│  │▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│       │       │      │
│  │ Valentine's Promo (runs Feb 3-14)  │       │       │      │
│  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│  │  10   │  11   │  12   │  13   │  14   │  15   │  16   │      │
│  │▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│       │       │      │
│  │ ████ Presidents Day Sale (15-17) █████████████████│      │
│  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│                                                                  │
│  Legend: ▓ Active Campaign  █ High Priority                      │
│                                                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Calendar Features

View campaigns by day/week/month
Drag to reschedule
Click to edit
Color-coded by priority
Filter by screen group

Emergency Messaging

Alert System

Override all content for urgent messages:

Create Alert
- Go to Campaigns → Emergency
- Create alert content
- Set duration or manual dismiss
Activate Alert
- One-click activation
- Immediately overrides all content
- Targets all or selected screens
Deactivate Alert
- Manual deactivation
- Or automatic after duration
- Normal content resumes

Alert Types

Type	Use Case	Behavior
Emergency	Fire, evacuation	Full screen override
Urgent	Important notice	Banner + content
Information	Updates	Ticker overlay
Amber Alert	Child safety	Regulatory content

Best Practices

Scheduling Tips

Practice	Benefit
Use dayparting	Relevant content for audience
Set fallback content	Never show blank screens
Test before launch	Avoid scheduling mistakes
Use screen groups	Easier management at scale
Review regularly	Remove outdated content

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Prevention
Overlapping schedules	Use priority levels
Expired campaigns	Set end dates, use alerts
Wrong timezone	Verify player timezone
No default content	Always have fallback
Orphan screens	Audit screen assignments

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

Player Management - Monitor your screens
Scene Editor - Create content
Components - Widget library
Data Integration - Dynamic content

Scheduling documentation maintained by MediaSignage. For support, contact support@digitalsignage.com

Automate Your Content

Scheduling Concepts​

Hierarchy Overview​

Key Terms​

Creating Playlists​

New Playlist​

Adding Content​

Playlist Settings​

Item Configuration​

Creating Campaigns​

Campaign Structure​

New Campaign Wizard​

Schedule Rules​

Date Range Scheduling​

Time-of-Day (Dayparting)​

Dayparting Example​

Day-of-Week Scheduling​

Priority System​

Advanced Scheduling​

Conditional Playback​

Recurring Schedules​

Exception Dates​

Screen Targeting​

Target Types​

Screen Groups​

Location-Based Targeting​

Calendar View​

Managing Schedules Visually​

Calendar Features​

Emergency Messaging​

Alert System​

Alert Types​

Best Practices​

Scheduling Tips​

Common Mistakes​

Frequently Asked Questions​

Next Steps​