How OTT Studio Improved FAST Channel Scheduling

OTT Studio is a leading streaming TV company with a portfolio of over 20 channels, including flagship brands like Free Movies Plus and Christmas Plus. Manually managing a catalog of tens of thousands of movies and TV shows became increasingly challenging as their content library continued to grow. The company needed a solution that could streamline operations, optimize scheduling, and boost viewership using a data-driven approach.

OTT Studio adopted Amagi Smart Scheduler, an automated content programming solution that uses AI to automate schedule creation and augment workflows. With its implementation, OTT Studio achieved:

● 85% reduction in scheduling time
● Enhanced audience engagement with real-time content optimization

Challenges: Scaling Manual Scheduling

With a rapidly expanding catalog, OTT Studio’s team manually scheduled content across 20+ FAST channels, leading to several challenges:
● Time-consuming – Long hours spent curating daily and weekly schedules
● Inefficient – Lack of data-driven insights to optimize viewer engagement
● Rigid – Limited adaptability to real-time trends and audience behavior

“Scheduling FAST channels used to feel more like an art than a science — our team spent countless hours manually curating schedules across multiple channels,” said James Patrick, Co-Founder, OTT Studio. “We needed a more data-driven way to track audience trends so we could make smarter programming decisions in less time.”

The Solution: Amagi Smart Scheduler

OTT Studio integrated Amagi Smart Scheduler, a content programming solution that automates schedule creation using AI. Amagi Smart Scheduler has helped OTT Studio to:
● Automate scheduling across multiple channels in advance
● Leverage AI-driven insights to improve content placement

Impact: Data-driven growth & Efficiency

Reduction in Scheduling Efforts Previously, curating a schedule for 20+ channels was a manual process. Amagi Smart Scheduler was designed to streamline the workflow, reducing scheduling time and allowing the team to better focus on content strategy rather than logistics.

Before Smart Scheduler

● A team of schedulers manually placed movies on each channel
● Limited ability to plan or make adjustments based on audience preferences

After Smart Scheduler

● Predictive analytics placed the right content at the right time, increasing efficiency

Example: Optimizing Classic Films for Peak Viewership

Amagi Smart Scheduler identified that the 2013 indie hit Short Term 12 had performed surprisingly well during a late-night slot on Free Movies Plus, said James Patrick, Co-Founder, OTT Studio. Noticing consistent viewer retention and positive engagement, the system automatically repositioned the film to a prime-time slot the following week. The result was a lift in viewership and engagement, confirming the film’s strong audience appeal when placed at the right time, he added.

“We always knew certain movies were popular, but Smart Scheduler helped us pinpoint the exact times and days to air them for maximum impact,” said Patrick.

Real-Time Content Adjustments & Social Integration

OTT Studio leveraged real-time audience feedback and social trends to enhance engagement by aligning programming with trending topics.

Example: Tribute Programming Based on Social Buzz

Amagi Smart Scheduler detected a spike in social media activity following the passing of actor Tony Todd. In response, the system updated the programming on Free Movies Plus to feature a tribute lineup of his most iconic films. This timely adjustment honored his legacy and led to increased viewership as audiences tuned in to revisit his work.

Results:

● Higher ad impressions

“We saw a huge spike in engagement when we programmed movies around real-world events. Social media buzz translates directly to viewership.”
— Ryan James, CEO, OTT Studio

Conclusion: AI-Powered Scheduling for the Future

By adopting Amagi Smart Scheduler, OTT Studio improved its content strategy, improved efficiency, and maximized viewer engagement. With the ability to automate, optimize, and adapt in real-time, the company is well-positioned to scale its FAST channel success.

Key Takeaways

● Reduced manual scheduling workload
● Boosted viewership through AI-driven scheduling
● Increased audience engagement
● Leveraged social and event-based programming for real-time impact

OTT Studio’s success story highlights how AI-powered scheduling can drive FAST channel growth, improve ad monetization, and enhance viewing experience.