We’re excited to introduce a major enhancement to Zype Playout — one that fundamentally improves how you build and schedule programming blocks while eliminating one of the most common challenges in linear channels: fallback slate.

This significant enhancement gives schedulers a structured way to anchor a fixed-duration block on a primary asset and automatically fill the remaining time from configured content pools, using pre-roll, break, and post-roll segments with per-asset-type frequency capping.

With Dynamic Block Builder, you’ll be able to reduce linear fallback slate minutes toward zero — replacing dead air with bumpers, promos, house ads, and other pooled filler that keeps your channel running clean and engaging for viewers.

With this new framework you’ll be able to:

• Anchor a block on a single primary asset and let Playout fill the rest automatically
• Configure structured filler using Pre-Fill, Break, and Post-Fill segments, each with an asset type, content pool, and max items count
• Set per-asset-type frequency caps to prevent bumpers, videos, or ads from repeating within a configurable cooldown window
• Preview the full composition before scheduling — see exactly what the next several airings will look like and catch any remaining Fallback
• Adopt incrementally — Block Builder is a new mode of the same Dynamic Block asset, so existing blocks continue working unchanged
• Shrink blocks to content when needed, truncating the block to its actual content length

What Is Changing

Dynamic Block Builder introduces a new way to compose fixed-length programming blocks in Zype Playout. Instead of relying on a single content pool that may leave variable-length gaps filled by a fallback slate, you now configure a Primary Asset (the anchor) and a Secondary Content Config (the filler) on the same Dynamic Block asset.

The Dynamic Block form now includes a Primary Asset Type toggle with two options:

• Static — anchor the block on a single asset (a show, episode, or movie). This is the new Block Builder mode.
• Dynamic — the existing pool-based behavior, unchanged. Fill the block from a content pool using series / season / episode / category rules.

When you choose Static, the Secondary Content Config panel unlocks. This is where you define the filler: a fill method (Random or Custom Sequence), one or more segment types (Pre-Fill, Break, Post-Fill), and Frequency Caps to control repetition.

How It Works

1. Create a Dynamic Block and choose Static primary

From the Playout scheduler, create a new Dynamic Block. Set the block’s title and duration. Under Primary Asset, switch the Type to Static and drag your anchor asset into the primary slot.

“Two selections now: primary asset. What is my primary asset? — product walkthrough (2:54)”

2. Configure Secondary Content segments

Under Secondary Assets, choose a Fill Method (Random or Custom Sequence) and add Pre-Fill, Break, and/or Post-Fill segments. Each segment takes an asset type (bumper, video, or ad), a content pool (a Playlist or Block asset), and a max items count.

“Here’s my primary piece of content, this is the block as a whole, one hour. — product walkthrough (3:43)”

3. Set Frequency Caps

Add one Don’t Reuse cap per asset type. Each cap has a cooldown value and unit (minute, hour, day, week, month). Units are stored as minutes internally: 1 hour = 60, 1 day = 1,440, 1 week = 10,080, 1 month = 43,200 (30 days, not a calendar month). One cap per asset type is allowed.

4. Preview and save

Save with Create Dynamic Asset. The Preview tab shows the next several iterations the server would compose. Pagination steps through upcoming airings. If pools can’t fully fill the block, a Fallback row shows the unfilled duration and a yellow warning.

Seamless Continuity for Existing Dynamic Blocks

All existing Dynamic Blocks with Dynamic-primary content continue working exactly as before. There is no migration, no data conversion, and no disruption to your schedule.

The system determines block mode at runtime: blocks with a primary item set are Static-primary (Block Builder); blocks with an empty primary slot remain Dynamic-primary. Your existing blocks will not change unless you explicitly edit them to add a static primary asset.

What You Need to Do

The action required depends on whether you have existing Dynamic Blocks or are creating new ones. Refer to the table below for a summary by cohort.

If you have questions about adopting Dynamic Block Builder, your Account Management team is available to walk you through the configuration. We will be publishing Help Center articles with step-by-step guides, frequency capping reference, and a migration guide for customers moving from the legacy ad toggle setup to the new Fill Sequence model.