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ByteArk

Ad Insertion · SGAI

Earn new ad revenue from the inventory you already have

Insert ads into live streams with SGAI (Server-Guided Ad Insertion). Each viewer sees their own ads on the same content. Everything runs on ByteArk Cloud, so you don't build any infrastructure.

Talk to an expertSee how it works
  • SGAI
  • SCTE-35
  • GAM360
  • First-Party (PPID/PPS)

Why start now

Pre-roll alone isn't enough

Live streams hold viewers for a long time. With only a pre-roll at the start, you can't fully monetize that attention.

  • Live sessions run long

    A pre-roll plays once before the content starts. That's not enough for long live sessions.

  • Advertising is moving toward targeted ads

    The ad market is moving to targeted ads and first-party data. Whoever is ready first gains the edge.

  • Get ready for a cookieless future

    Third-party cookie tracking is going away. You'll need to move to first-party data.

  • Targeting lifts CPM

    When each viewer sees a different ad, advertisers pay more and revenue per impression goes up.

  • No new assets to buy

    Use the inventory and audience you already have, and open up programmatic and targeted demand right away.

  • +600%

    more ad space than pre-roll alone

    *Based on ByteArk live viewing-time data, inserting 2 ads every 10 minutes, compared with pre-roll alone.

Ad insertion formats

Pick the method that fits your platform

ByteArk supports both CSAI and SSAI, and recommends SGAI, which combines the strengths of both.

  • CSAI

    Client-Side Ad Insertion

    The viewer's player requests and plays the ads itself.

    • Viewers can interact with ads
    • Effectively serves ads that match viewer interests (personalized ads)
    • Supports ad measurement in most Ads Manager systems out of the box
  • Recommended

    SGAI

    Server-Guided Ad Insertion

    The server marks breaks from SCTE-35, then each viewer's player requests its own ads via VAST.

    • Per-viewer targeted ads, like SSAI
    • No per-viewer stitching on the server, so cost stays close to CSAI
    • Standard measurement that agencies accept

  • SSAI

    Server-Side Ad Insertion

    The server stitches ads into the stream.

    • Smoother, uninterrupted viewing
    • Resists ad blockers
    • Works on most devices and video players right away

The three side by side

CSAI

Who marks the ad break
Player guesses
Who plays the ad
Viewer's player
Per-viewer ads
Possible
Measurement agencies accept
Standard
Limitations
Imprecise break timing

SGAI

Who marks the ad break
Server marks it precisely
Who plays the ad
Viewer's player
Per-viewer ads
Possible, no extra investment
Measurement agencies accept
Standard
Limitations
Needs cues and a supported player

SSAI

Who marks the ad break
Server stitches it in
Who plays the ad
Stitched into the stream
Per-viewer ads
Possible, but costly
Measurement agencies accept
Needs extra explanation
Limitations
High cost and complexity

SGAI gives you SSAI-style addressable ads at a cost close to CSAI, with standard measurement that agencies accept.

Runs on ByteArk Cloud

How it works

Every component runs on ByteArk Cloud. You don't need to prepare any infrastructure.

  1. Source

    Live channel + SCTE-35

  2. ByteArk Engine

    m3u8 Manipulator + Transcoder

  3. ByteArk CDN

    1,000,000+ concurrent viewers

  4. Video player

    Shows and counts ads via VAST

  • Stateless scaling

    Add pods without affecting viewer sessions.

  • Safe failback

    If no ad fills the break, a slate or the original break plays. No black screen.

  • VAST measurement

    Standard measurement agencies accept, via GAM.

  • ABR transcode

    Multiple resolutions and languages.

SGAI, one break

From a cue in the stream to each viewer's own ad

The server only marks where the break is. Each viewer's player picks the ad, so you get targeted ads without stitching a separate stream per viewer.

  • Your source sends SCTE-35 to mark where a break starts and how long it runs
  • ByteArk Engine writes the break into the stream's manifest (m3u8)
  • Each viewer's player requests its own ad from GAM360 over VAST
  • When the break ends, everyone rejoins live together. If ads run short, a slate plays instead of a black screen

Targeting

Raise CPM step by step

Start targeting on day one without any user data, then add detail to lift CPM.

  1. CPM ↑

    01

    Contextual

    Start on day one

    Target by region, channel or genre, daypart, device and language. Lift CPM above run-of-network without waiting for identity.

  2. CPM ↑↑

    02

    Pseudonymous ID (PPID)

    No PII

    Attach an anonymous ID for frequency capping and sharper audience segments, without touching personal data.

  3. CPM ↑↑↑

    03

    First-Party Segments

    Build segments from the subscriber data you hold (tier, demographic, behavior), keyed by PPID.

  4. CPM ↑↑↑↑

    04

    Open / Advanced

    Already have a DMP/CDP, login graph or viewing data? Map it into GAM for finer targeting.

Ready for a cookieless future: supports PPID and PPS to target directly from first-party data.

Only 3 things to prepare

Easier to start than you think

  • Required

    SCTE-35

    The signal from your source that marks where ads go. Most modern encoders already support it.

  • Supported player

    Start on platforms where you control the player, such as your own website or app. Expand to STB and smart TV later.

  • Ad server

    Use GAM360 for programmatic demand, impression counting and ad-view progress tracking.

Fill every break with ads

Content (Play Slot) alternates with ads (Ad Slot)

ContentAd 30sContentAd 60sContent

Direct Sale Ad Unit

Direct-sold ads fill the slot. Any time left over plays your configured slate.

Programmatic Ad Unit

Ads from GAM360. When ads run out, the slate plays.

Revenue model

Revenue = avails × fill rate × CPM

Tune fill rate and CPM to real demand. The system serves every avail, tracks via VAST and reports in real time.

  • Conservative

    ~฿12M

    / month

    Fill rate 20%

  • Base

    ~฿24M

    / month

    Fill rate 40%

  • Aggressive

    ~฿36M

    / month

    Fill rate 60%

*Illustrative assumption: avails ~1,000M impressions/month × CPM ฿60, as a combined pool before revenue split. Actual fill rate and CPM depend on demand. Run a pilot before scaling.

How we work together

Pay for performance (Rev-share / CPM-share)

Easy to start, and it grows with real revenue. ByteArk earns more only when the system earns you more.

  • 01 · POC

    Low cost, proven on your real inventory (~3 months).

  • 02 · Implement

    Deploy the system on ByteArk Cloud, connected to GAM360.

  • 03 · Operate & Support

    Ongoing management of ads and systems.

Next step

Grow into a FAST channel with ByteArk AirTime

Build a 24/7 TV channel from the videos you already have. AirTime schedules it every day, with ad breaks in the stream from your own ad tag.

Explore ByteArk AirTime

Earn ad revenue from the content you already have

Talk to the ByteArk team to design your Ad Insertion setup and start a POC on your real inventory.

Start freeTalk to sales