---
title: "Scheduling"
url: "https://smartguides.zetadisplay.com/en/article/scheduling"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2026-09-01T10:49:39.093Z"
---

# Scheduling

How scheduled playlists & content works

Scheduling controls **when content plays on your screens (devices/players)** in Engage CMS.

In this article, you will learn how playlist scheduling and content scheduling work together, and how playback behavior is determined.

## How Scheduling Works

Scheduling in Engage CMS works on two levels:

-   **Playlist Scheduling** – controls when a playlist is active
-   **Content Scheduling** – controls when specific media plays within a playlist

These work together to determine what is shown on a screen at any given time.

## Playlist Scheduling

Playlist scheduling defines **when a playlist should play**.

You can set:

-   Start and end dates
-   Specific days
-   Time ranges

A playlist must be **active and scheduled** to display content.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/6ec451bf-5fd6-404e-af42-77101aec6200)

## Content Scheduling

Content scheduling defines **when individual media files play within a playlist**.

You can:

-   schedule specific files
-   limit when content appears
-   control playback within the playlist

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/88fb9011-7dee-4d24-8769-a5215f9b7e65)

## How Scheduling Works Together

For content to play, **both conditions must be met**:

1.  The playlist must be scheduled
2.  The content must be scheduled with in the playlist playtimes

If either condition is not met, the content will not play.

## Playback Behavior

Playback is determined by combining playlist and content schedules.

### Scenario 1: Playlist scheduled, no content scheduling

-   The playlist plays normally
-   All content is included

### Scenario 2: Playlist scheduled, content scheduled

-   Only content matching the schedule will play
-   Other content is skipped

### Scenario 3: Content scheduled outside playlist schedule

-   The content will **not play**

### Scenario 4: Multiple playlists scheduled

-   Playback is determined by **playlist priority**
-   Higher priority playlists override lower ones

### Scenario 5: No active content

-   If no content matches the schedule, nothing will play

## Important Scheduling Rules

-   Content cannot play outside the playlist schedule
-   Content scheduling refines playlist behavior, it does not replace it
-   Playlist priority affects which playlist is shown
-   Scheduling applies across all devices assigned to the playlist

## Common Questions about Scheduling

### Why is my content not playing?

The most common reasons are:

-   the playlist is not scheduled
-   the content is scheduled outside the playlist time
-   another playlist with higher priority is active

### What is the difference between playlist scheduling and content scheduling?

-   **Playlist scheduling** controls when the playlist plays
-   **Content scheduling** controls when individual items play within the playlist

### Can content play if the playlist is not scheduled?

No. A playlist must be active and scheduled for any content to play.

### Why is only some content playing in my playlist?

Some media may have **content scheduling applied**, limiting when it appears.

### Can I schedule content independently from a playlist?

No. Content scheduling only works within an active playlist.

### What happens if multiple playlists are scheduled at the same time?

The system uses **playlist priority** to decide which playlist is shown.

### Why is my playlist active but nothing is showing?

There may be no content matching the current time, or all content is scheduled outside the active period.

### Does scheduling work the same for all devices?

Yes, but playback depends on:

-   assigned playlists
-   scheduling
-   device status (online/offline)
-   Active Power Schedules or Special day groups