How the SLOT loop works
Detailed explanation of how ScreenSoft builds the advertising loop in Fixed slots in the loop (SLOT) mode.
Visual example: 10 slots × 10 seconds
The example below shows one 100-second loop. Commercial campaigns reserve slots first; the remaining positions are filled by eligible non-commercial content and, when needed, the Company default visual.
How one loop is assembled
1. Company capacity
The company defines a fixed number of slots in one loop and the duration of one slot. For example, 10 slots × 10 seconds gives a nominal loop capacity of 100 seconds. A commercial SLOT campaign reserves its configured number of slots.
2. Eligible campaigns
Before the timeline is built, ScreenSoft uses only campaigns that are valid for the device and current schedule. The playlist also respects enabled playback days and daily time ranges. A range that continues past midnight is carried into the beginning of the following enabled day.
3. Commercial campaigns are placed first
Eligible commercial campaigns are ordered by their configured position. Their slot counts are added to the commercial part of the loop. When capacity allows, the rotation can repeat a commercial campaign in the same loop. At the boundary between loops, ScreenSoft tries not to start with the same visual that ended the previous part.
4. Special case: one commercial campaign
If only one commercial campaign is active and it does not fill the loop, ScreenSoft inserts one free position after it. That position is filled by suitable non-commercial content; if none is available, the Default visual is used. If enough capacity remains, the commercial campaign can then appear again.
5. Remaining slots are filled with non-commercial content
After the commercial part is built, ScreenSoft calculates the remaining slot capacity. Suitable non-commercial campaigns are rotated through this free space. A campaign is selected only when its slot count fits into the remaining capacity, and ScreenSoft tries not to place the same visual directly after the previous one.
6. What happens when content does not fit
A purely non-commercial SLOT campaign whose required slot count is larger than the free non-commercial capacity for the device is excluded from that generated playlist. During filling, if no eligible non-commercial campaign fits the currently remaining slots, ScreenSoft uses the Default visual for the free position and continues until the loop capacity is filled.
7. Default visual fills the gap
Default visual is the final fallback. In SLOT mode its duration is calculated from the number of free slots being filled and the company slot duration, so unused capacity does not remain empty.
8. The process repeats through the active time range
Once one loop is assembled, ScreenSoft continues building the timeline for the active time range. Rotation state is carried forward so the next loop can start with different suitable content where possible.
Interactive applications and reserved slots
SLOT mode divides the loop into fixed positions. A reserved slot represents scheduled capacity, not proof that an ad was actually visible during a game.
If a game lasts longer than a slot, test the return to normal playback and report records on the target device. Automatic make-up of every scheduled play must not be assumed without testing.
Contact ScreenSoft support at support@screensoft.org