How Do I Create A Show Record For A Digital File?
A Show Record stores the details for a piece of content — things like the title, run time, and the file linked for playback. You need to create one before you can schedule a digital file for broadcast.
There are two ways to start a Show Record for a digital file: from an unlinked asset in the Assets section, or from a blank record in the Shows menu. Both methods result in the same Show Record. Starting from an unlinked asset saves a few steps because Cablecast links the file and pre-fills the title fields automatically.
Option A: Start From an Unlinked Asset
Go to Assets in the left-hand menu. The default view shows files that are unlinked, invalid, or still processing. Select the file you want to use. In the detail panel on the right, click the Actions button and select New Show.
Cablecast opens a new Show Record with the file already linked to Reel 1 and the Title and CG Title fields pre-filled using the file name. Review both fields and update them before saving — see Step 2: Enter Show Information below.
![Cablecast Academy/Creating show records from assets or blank templatesI need some help writing a new article on how to create a Show Record. Part of the process will be similar to what's outlined in this article: https://support.cablecast.tv/s/articles/how-do-i-create-a-show-record-for-a-live-eventOther parts will be different. You can either create a show record from an unlinked asset in the Assets section of Cablecast or you can create a new blank Show Record from Shows > New Show. Using an unlinked Asset will automatically link the Asset to the first Reel in the Show Record and it will use the file name as the Title and CG Titles for the Show.Show more10:28 AMLet me fetch that article first to understand the existing structure and content.Fetched: How Do I Create A Show Record For A Live Event?Fetched: How Do I Create A Show Record For A Live Event?Good — I have the full live event article. Now I have a clear picture of the structure and what needs to be different for a digital file article. Let me draft this. The new article needs to cover: Path A: Starting from an unlinked asset in Assets (auto-links the asset, auto-populates Title and CG Title from the file name) Path B: Starting from Shows > New Show (blank record) Shared steps: entering show info, editing the reel (format will be Video Server, length pulled from file), thumbnail, creating the record No live-source reel setup needed; no recording section Here's the draft: How Do I Create a Show Record for a Digital File? Last Updated: [date] A Show Record stores the details for a piece of content — things like the title, run time, and file source. You need to create one before you can schedule a digital file for broadcast. There are two ways to start: from an unlinked asset in the Assets section, or from a blank record in the Shows menu. Both methods result in the same Show Record; the starting point determines how much Cablecast fills in for you automatically. Starting From an Unlinked Asset If you have already uploaded a file and it appears in the Assets section without a Show Record, you can create one directly from the asset. Cablecast will automatically link the asset to the first reel of the new Show Record and use the file name as both the Title and CG Title. Go to Assets in the left-hand menu. Locate the file you want to use. If the asset is unlinked, you will see a Create Show Record button next to it. Click it. Cablecast opens a new Show Record with the asset already attached to Reel 1 and the title fields pre-filled from the file name. Review the Title and CG Title fields and edit them if needed before saving. Skip ahead to Step 3: Edit the Reel. Starting From a Blank Show Record Go to Shows in the left-hand menu, then click New Show. A blank Show Record opens with a Show ID of "Assigned after save." Step 1: Enter Show Information Fill in the following fields: Title — Enter the name of your content. This is only used inside Cablecast. CG Title — Enter the public title for your content. This is what appears on Cablecast CG schedule bulletins, Internet Channel schedules, and the VOD Show page. The CG Title and Title can be the same. You can also fill in Bibliographic Info fields such as Project and Category in the section below the Reels. Step 2: Link a File to the Reel If you started from a blank Show Record, you need to attach a file to the reel manually. The Show Record includes one reel by default. Click the pencil (edit) icon on the reel to open the reel editor. In the reel editor, click the Asset field and search for the file you want to use. Select it from the results. Cablecast will populate the Length field automatically based on the file's duration. Verify the length looks correct, then click Save to close the reel editor. Note: If you started from an unlinked asset, the file is already attached and the length is already set. You can still open the reel editor to verify or make changes. Step 3: Edit the Reel With a file linked, confirm the reel settings look correct: Format — Should be set to Video Server for a digital file. Length — Should reflect the actual run time of the file. If you need to adjust it, open the reel editor by clicking the pencil icon. Adding a Thumbnail Cablecast can generate thumbnail options automatically from the video file linked to the Show Record. To use an auto-generated thumbnail, click the Auto button in the Thumbnail section and choose from the options Cablecast generates. If you prefer a custom thumbnail, click the Upload button in the Thumbnail section and select your image. The thumbnail should match your video's resolution, typically 1920×1080 (16:9). After adding a thumbnail, fill in the Alt Text field below it. Alt text describes the image for screen readers and other assistive tools. For best practices on creating accessible thumbnails, see Understanding WCAG 1.4.5 AA Images with Text Requirement When Using Thumbnails With Your Programs. Step 4: Create the Show Record Once you have entered the show information and confirmed the reel, click the Create button at the bottom of the page. Cablecast will assign a Show ID to the record. Step 5: Schedule the Show Schedule the Show Record the same way you would any other show. Add it to the schedule at the time you want it to air and send Autopilot to commit it. Note: For help with scheduling, see Understanding the Basics of Getting Up and Running with Cablecast. A few things I'd like your confirmation on before this gets finalized: "Create Show Record" button label — Is that the exact label on the button next to an unlinked asset in the Assets section? And is it a button, or a link/icon? Asset field in the reel editor — Is "Asset" the correct field name for attaching a file when starting from a blank Show Record? Or is it labeled something else (e.g., "File")? Auto thumbnail — Does the Auto thumbnail option actually appear as a button labeled "Auto," or is it triggered differently? Format field — When a file is linked via the Assets path, does the Format field auto-set to Video Server, or does the operator need to set it manually? Once you clarify those UI details I can finalize the draft and add placeholder screenshot callouts.Should this be part of the live show record article or separate?10:38 AMBased on the curriculum outline, these are listed as two separate articles: Creating a Show Record for a Digital File — already exists, needs cleanup Creating a Show Record for a Live Event — exists, looks good So the intent was always to keep them separate, which makes sense — the reel setup is meaningfully different between the two (live source vs. file, recording setup, no auto-thumbnail for live events, etc.). Combining them would make both harder to link to directly from the Academy. That said, the existing digital file article apparently needs cleanup. Is the goal here to rewrite that existing article rather than create a brand new one?Yes, but there's not much to the existing article, so I plan to overwrite what's there with what we come up with here in this chat.10:39 AMGot it. Then let me get eyes on the existing article so I know what we're working with and what needs to go.Fetched: How Do I Create A Show Record For A Digital File?Fetched: How Do I Create A Show Record For A Digital File?Confirmed — that's essentially a stub with a broken training video link. Nothing worth preserving there. The draft I wrote earlier is the replacement. Can you confirm those four UI details I flagged? To recap: Unlinked asset button — exact label and whether it's a button, link, or icon Asset field name in the reel editor when attaching a file manually Auto thumbnail — how it's triggered (button labeled "Auto," or something else) Format field — does it auto-set to Video Server when coming from the Assets path, or does the operator set it manually? You create a Show from an unlinked asset using the "New Show" option in the "Actions" drop down. Here'a. screenshot. This takes you to a Show Record page with the Title/CG Title fields already populated using the file name and the file is already linked to the first reel. Also, this article includes a number of the steps for creating a show from an asset/file and the Show Records pages: https://support.cablecast.tv/s/articles/understanding-the-basics-for-getting-up-and-running-with-cablecastShow more10:43 AMHelpful, thank you! Let me fetch the Basics article to see what's already covered so I don't duplicate it.Fetched: Understanding the Basics for Getting Up and Running with CablecastFetched: Understanding the Basics for Getting Up and Running with CablecastGood. Now I have a clear picture. The Basics article covers the Assets → New Show path fairly well but in a conversational, high-level way — and it has some issues (first-person plural, "CablecastCG" without a space, etc.). Our article should be the authoritative deep-dive on this specific task, structured like the live event article, without duplicating the Basics article's broader context. A few things I can now update from the screenshot: It's Actions dropdown → New Show (not a standalone button) The filter bar confirms the default Assets view shows "Invalid, Processing, Unlinked Playback" assets No separate "Asset field" question needed — the file is already linked when you come from Assets I still need your input on two things before I finalize: Blank Show Record path / reel editor — When starting from Shows > New Show (no file pre-linked), how do you attach a file to the reel? Is there a file/asset search field inside the reel editor, or is it done differently? Thumbnail — Does the auto-generate option appear as a button in the Thumbnail section, and if so what is it labeled? Or does Cablecast just generate options automatically once a file is linked? Everything else I can nail down from what you've shared. Once you confirm those two I'll write the final draft.When you edit the Reel in the show record, there's an option to select a playback file. You can then search any playback files on the system. Screenshots attached. As far as the thumbnail, there is no autogenerate option. Thumbnails are automatically generated from a file. Cablecast will pick one, but if you click where it says "Choose Other" on the thumbnail, Cablecast generates four other thumbnails you can choose from. Screenshots also attached of this area of the UI. You can also upload your own custom thumbnail if you don't like the options presented.Show more10:47 AMThese screenshots answer everything I needed. Here's what I've confirmed: Blank Show Record reel editor: Format defaults to Video Server, Playback File: None selected, and there's a Select File button that opens a Search For File Name dialog The Length field starts at 00:00:00 and presumably populates when a file is selected Thumbnail: Cablecast auto-generates one from the linked file; Choose Other opens a picker with 5 frames to choose from; Upload is for a custom image The existing Show Record view shows Choose Other and Upload as the two buttons on the thumbnail I have everything I need. Writing the full draft now.Created 2 files, ran a command, read a fileCreated 2 files, ran a command, read a fileA few things to flag for your review: Step order — I put the reel step before the show info step, since coming from Option B you'd need to link the file before the title fields are meaningful. But if that doesn't match the natural UI flow, the steps can swap. "Create" vs. "Save" — The blank New Show screen shows a Create button; the existing Show Record shows Save. I called both out in Step 3. Let me know if that's accurate. Screenshot placeholders — I didn't add callout text for screenshots since you'll be placing those yourself, but let me know if you want me to add placeholder lines for them in the doc. Horizontal rules — I used --- dividers between the Option A/B sections and the numbered steps. If you'd prefer those removed and want heading structure to do all the separation (per editorial standards), just say the word and I'll clean them up. How do i create a show record for a digital fileDocument · MD Open in TextEditWrite a short summary for this article.11:26 AMA Show Record is how Cablecast tracks a piece of content and gets it ready for broadcast. This article walks you through two ways to create one for a digital file: starting from an unlinked asset in the Assets section, or starting from a blank record in the Shows menu. Both paths cover linking a playback file, entering show information, selecting a thumbnail, and saving the record so it's ready to schedule.Help me generate a thumbnail for this article.11:27 AMA few quick questions before I start generating — this will help me get the thumbnail right on the first try.Q: What visual concept should the thumbnail convey? A: A file/document being linked or connectedQ: Which brand color should be dominant? A: Primary Green (#2EA761)11:29 AM ::view-transition-group(*), ::view-transition-old(*), ::view-transition-new(*) { animation-duration: 0.25s; animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1); } VvisualizeVvisualize show_widgetHere's a first pass — two documents connected by a link chain, with a play badge on the file side to hint at video content. The green background uses the Primary Green, with Dark Green accents for depth, and a blue film strip detail on the file doc. Let me know what you'd like to adjust — positioning, colors, the connection style, or anything else.This is a great starting point. The link is a bit off-center, though. Also, can you make the icons larger?11:30 AM ::view-transition-group(*), ::view-transition-old(*), ::view-transition-new(*) { animation-duration: 0.25s; animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1); } VvisualizeVvisualize show_widgetThe docs are larger now and the chain is centered between them. Let me know if you'd like any further tweaks — the chain style, spacing, colors, or anything else.Sizing is good, but everything needs to be better centered overall?11:31 AM ::view-transition-group(*), ::view-transition-old(*), ::view-transition-new(*) { animation-duration: 0.25s; animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1); } VvisualizeVvisualize show_widgetBoth documents and the chain should now be properly centered horizontally and vertically within the canvas. Let me know what else you'd like to adjust!Great. Last thing that stands out - the circle on the lower right is off the page.11:31 AM ::view-transition-group(*), ::view-transition-old(*), ::view-transition-new(*) { animation-duration: 0.25s; animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1); } VvisualizeVvisualize show_widgetPulled the lower-right circle in so it stays fully within the canvas. How does that look?Great! I need some alt text for that image.12:32 PMTwo white document icons connected by a link chain on a green background. The left document has a blue film strip and a play button, representing a video file. The right document has a green ID badge, representing a Show Record.Is that image 16:9?12:32 PMNo — the viewBox is 680×383, which gives an aspect ratio of approximately 16:8.99. That's extremely close to 16:9 (which would be 680×382.5), but technically one pixel tall. Effectively it's 16:9 for all practical purposes, but if you want it pixel-perfect I can adjust the viewBox height to 382.Yeah, let's adjust that.12:33 PM ::view-transition-group(*), ::view-transition-old(*), ::view-transition-new(*) { animation-duration: 0.25s; animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1); } VvisualizeVvisualize show_widgetDone — viewBox is now exactly 680×382, a perfect 16:9. Everything else is unchanged.Center the chain link.12:33 PM ::view-transition-group(*), ::view-transition-old(*), ::view-transition-new(*) { animation-duration: 0.25s; animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1); } VvisualizeVvisualize show_widgetThe chain is now centered at x=340, the horizontal midpoint of the canvas. How does that look?Generate short alt text for this screenshot12:38 PMCablecast Assets section showing an unlinked file selected, with the Actions dropdown open and a red arrow pointing to the New Show option.Generate short alt text for this screenshot12:40 PMCablecast Show Record with Title and CG Title fields filled in, Reel 1 showing a linked Video Server file with a red arrow pointing to the pencil edit icon.Generate short alt text for this screenshot12:41 PMCablecast Show Record with red arrows pointing to the Title and CG Title fields, and the Reels section highlighted with a red box showing Reel 1 linked to a Video Server file.](https://media.cablecast.tv/prod/media/images/2026/04/0666539b-d190-4b4f-949d-cd22db1ca2c7.png)
Option B: Start From a Blank Show Record
Go to Shows in the left-hand menu, then click New Show. A blank Show Record opens with a Show ID of "Assigned after save."
Step 1: Edit the Reel
The Show Record includes one reel by default. Click the pencil (edit) icon on the reel to open the reel editor.
The Format field defaults to Video Server, which is correct for a digital file. Next to Playback File, click Select File. A search dialog opens where you can search for the file by name. Select the file from the results to link it to the reel. Cablecast populates the Length field automatically based on the file's duration.
Click Save to close the reel editor. The reel updates to show the linked file and its run time.
Note: If you started from an unlinked asset, the file is already linked, and the length is already set. You can skip this step or open the reel editor to verify the settings.
Step 2: Enter Show Information
Fill in the following fields:
Title — Enter the name of your content. This is only used inside Cablecast.
CG Title — Enter the public-facing title. This is what appears on Cablecast CG schedule bulletins, Internet Channel schedules, and the VOD Show page. The CG Title and Title can be the same.
You can also fill in Bibliographic Info fields such as Event Date, Project, Producer, and Category. Consistent metadata matters — fields like Project and Category feed into Saved Searches, which are used across Internet Channels, VOD galleries, Autoschedule rules, and OTT app collections. For more on metadata, see Saved Searches.
Adding a Thumbnail
How thumbnails work depends on how you started the Show Record:
If you started from an unlinked asset, Cablecast automatically generates a thumbnail from the linked file. If you want to choose a different frame, click Choose Other in the Thumbnail section. Cablecast presents five options pulled from the file — click the one you want, then click Done.
If you started from a blank Show Record, no thumbnail is generated until after you save. Click Create to save the record first, then reopen it to see the auto-generated thumbnail and use Choose Other to select a different frame if needed.
In either case, if you prefer a custom image, click Upload in the Thumbnail section and select your own file. You can upload a custom thumbnail before or after saving the Show Record. The thumbnail should match your video's resolution, typically 1920×1080 (16:9).
After adding a thumbnail, fill in the Alt Text field below it. Alt text describes the image for screen readers and other assistive tools. For best practices on creating accessible thumbnails, see Understanding WCAG 1.4.5 AA Images with Text Requirement When Using Thumbnails With Your Programs.
Step 3: Save the Show Record
Once you have entered the show information and confirmed the reel, click the Save button at the bottom of the page. If this is a new Show Record, the button will read Create instead. Cablecast assigns a Show ID to the record.
Step 4: Schedule the Show
Schedule the Show Record the same way you would any other show. Add it to the schedule at the time you want it to air and send Autopilot to commit it.
Note: For help with scheduling, see Understanding the Basics of Getting Up and Running with Cablecast.
