Subscribers: Creating, Viewing, Managing

Overview

Viewers can access virtual content in one of two ways, with a voucher (aka a ticket) or as a subscriber (aka a pass holder or a member).   Whereas a voucher provides access to a specific piece of content, a subscriber has access to a group of content (their subscription) which may or may not be all of the virtual content available.  A viewer accessing the watch portal as a subscriber logs in with their email address and password (or in the case of a TVapp they'll pair their device) and arrives on the browse page where they can scroll through all of the titles available to them.  The subscriber can select a title to then arrive on that content's landing page with details which may include a primary video, a trailer, a scheduled live stream, or pre-recorded bonus material.

When using a ticketing solution to sell subscriptions (or passes/memberships), their system will utilize Cinesend's API to create the subscriber record automatically, with a subscription (grouping of content), as part of the transactional process.  In addition to, or instead of, subscriber records can be created manually or even imported with a csv file.   Please note, for ticketing solutions that utilize a single sign on (SSO) integration you cannot manually create subscribers in your Cinesend account, they'll need to be added in your ticketing solution (either by sale or by comp) so that the sso password verification will work as intended.

1. Manually Adding Subscribers
2. Importing Subscribers
3. Subscription Types
4. Viewing and Managing Subscribers
5. Subscriber Self-Registration

1. Manually Adding Subscribers

Even when there is an automated method for creating subscribers, there may be times it is also necessary to manually create subscribers.   For example issuing complementary subscriptions to staff, guests, etc.   Please note, this process does not work when using a ticketing solution that employs a single sign on integration. In that case, subscriber records must be added into the ticketing solution.

To create a new subscriber, navigate to VIEWERS > SUBSCRIBERS and click the "Create Subscribers" button.  A modal window will present three options:  create a single subscriber; add multiple subscribers by entering in their email addresses; or importing a .csv file. 

For a single subscriber, enter their name, email address, and select one or more subscription type(s).  More info on creating the subscriptions is below.  If a password is not entered, the subscriber will receive an automated email inviting them to join the watch portal.  If a password is entered, however, the patron will not receive an automated email.  

Enter multiple subscribers on the second tab, as comma separated email addresses.  No name or password is set when using this option.  The subscriber record (and automated email) will use the text before the "'@" symbol in the email address as the name.

2. Importing Subscribers

If there are a large number of subscribers to enter (for example a membership or donor program list), choose the third tab to import by csv file.  If a subscriber already exists, the import will update their subscriber account, adding in the subscription type to those they already have.   With the import file, if the password column is empty, new subscribers being imported will get an automated invitation email to set up their password, unless that feature is disabled with the toggle at the bottom of the modal window prior to clicking the "upload csv" button.   Existing subscribers whose accounts are updated do not get an invitation email, and can use the password they already have set for access.  There are three columns for optional custom data fields, which will be present in subscriber reports and can be used to search subscribers as well.  These fields might be useful for an order number, a membership level, or other important information about the subscriber.

3. Subscription Types

In order for a subscriber to access content they will need a subscription type.   The subscription type is what defines which content is viewable to the subscription holder.  For example there might be an 'All Access Pass' subscription that entitles the holder to see all content, while there may be a 'Youth Pass' that entitles the holder to see only a select grouping of content.   Any given subscriber can have multiple subscription types, giving them access to different content.

To create a subscription type, navigate to VIEWERS >  SUBSCRIPTIONS from the left-hand menu and click the "Create Subscription" button.  Once a subscription type is created further details can be added on it's Details sub-menu:

• Details:  

  Edit the name of the subscription.

  view the unique ID assigned to this subscription.

  edit the optional Custom ID.  The Custom ID is used primarily for when a ticketing solution requires their own ID be recorded in order to connect to it from their own system.

• Geoblocking: 

  Enable the “Ignore geoblocking policy” if a viewer using this subscription should be able to view content regardless of any geoblocking policies set on the individual content that is included in the subscription type. This could be useful for comped passes for filmmakers, critics, or jurors who may not necessarily be located in the geoblocked regions for the general audience.

• Start and End Dates:  

  This setting is optional. If a subscriber is attempting to access an asset using a subscription with start or end dates, those dates must be satisfied in addition to the asset itself being playable.

Add content to the subscription type either from the subscription list view (vertical ellipsis at the far right), from the subscription's sub-menu Assets, or from the content itself (from the content's subscriptions sub-menu).   

4. Viewing and Managing Subscribers

Existing subscriber records can be reviewed on the VIEWERS > SUBSCRIBERS screen of the administrative portal.  Use the search field to locate the subscriber (by name or email address) or select them from the list below.  In the list view, the "Subscriptions" column will display any subscription types they have been assigned or purchased (if any).  The "Status" column will display Active if they have logged in and established their password, Invite Pending if they have not yet logged in, Inactive if the subscriber has been deactivated, or Suspended if their account was suspended due to too many failed log in attempts.  With the vertical ellipsis at far right of each row subscription types can be updated, status can be changed to deactivated or reactivate, or the record can be deleted.  If the status is Invite Pending, there is the additional option to resend the email invite.   Note: records can be bulk edited by clicking the boxes at left the subscriber name - bulk editing options are:  Set Subscriptions; Activate Subscribers; Deactivate Subscribers; Delete Subscribers.  For a brief video on bulk editing please see: Bulk Actions

Open a subscriber's record by clicking on their name.  Here there will be three sub-menus Details, Sessions, and Access Devices.   Under the Details sub-menu subscription types and private custom data can be added and additionally it can be set to ignore geoblocking restrictions.    This is handy if your subscriber is outside the allowable geographic location for content but this person should be authorized to see the content.  Analytics can be viewed under the Sessions sub-menu, and their devices can be viewed by choosing Access Devices.

The number of devices subscribers are allowed can be limited by enabling the feature "Login Device Restrictions" found in the SETTINGS > ACCESS > Subscribers  screen. This sets the maximum number of devices permitted for a subscriber.  If they reach their limit, they can delete a device using the gear icon on the watch portal, or a device can be deleted for them from the Access Devices sub-menu as seen above.

5. Subscriber Self-Registration

A self-registration subscription is possible, where viewers can register for an account themselves without requiring an invitation. This might be used to offer access to free programming or a subset of teaser/promotional content.

Note that this feature is only available when using CineSend's built-in subscriber authentication. It will not work if your account has been configured with a third-party identity provider (Elevent, Agile, or another SSO solution).   This feature can be enabled on the SETTINGS > ACCESS > Subscribers screen.