Glossary A–ZLetter V
Validity period
The validity period is the span with a start and end date during which a piece of content may be shown at all.
Before the start and after the end it is skipped automatically, even if it remains in the playlist.
This is typical for promotions, seasonal creatives, event notices or changed opening hours. A Christmas creative can thus be scheduled as early as November and disappear by itself on the due date. The validity period differs from a daypart's time window: the time window says at what time of day an item plays, the validity period on which days it is eligible at all. The two can be combined.
Operators should give every item with an expiry date an end as soon as it is added. An expired offer that keeps running damages trust, and with prices it can become a legal issue. Note which time of day the end refers to and which time zone the device uses. It is also important that enough other content remains in the playlist after expiry, otherwise a gap appears.