The media industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, with broadcasters and content providers seeking faster, more efficient ways to monetize live and on-demand content. In a significant move to address these needs, Telestream has introduced a groundbreaking new feature for its Vantage media processing platform—automated Nielsen C3/C7 watermarking with reserved clip SID (Source Identifier). This innovation enables broadcasters to accelerate the delivery of VOD and OTT content, including ads, by seamlessly integrating Nielsen’s audience measurement technology into their workflows. The result? Faster monetization, improved efficiency, and maximized revenue potential.
What Are C3 and C7 Windows?
In television advertising, C3 and C7 refer to the metrics used to measure commercial viewership:
C3: Measures ad views within 3 days of live airing
C7: Extends this window to 7 days
These metrics are crucial for advertising revenue, as they determine how much networks can charge for commercials based on delayed viewing (DVR, VOD, OTT).
The Role of Watermarking
Watermarking embeds invisible identifiers into content, allowing Nielsen to track:
When and where content is viewed
Ad exposure across platforms (linear TV, VOD, OTT)
Audience demographics for better ad targeting
Traditionally, applying these watermarks was a manual, time-consuming process—until now.
Seamless Integration with Nielsen’s SDK
Telestream’s Vantage now fully automates the watermarking process by:
Reserving Source Identifiers (SIDs) in real-time
Validating watermarks via Telestream’s cloud reservation server
Applying watermarks during media processing
From Hours to Minutes: Accelerating VOD & OTT Workflows
Previously, broadcasters had to wait hours to prepare VOD/OTT content with ads. With Vantage’s new option:
Live-to-VOD turnaround is reduced to minutes
Pre-rendering support for C3/C7 ensures watermarks are embedded before distribution
No manual intervention required, reducing errors
Case Study: A Major Broadcaster’s Success
One leading broadcaster used Vantage to:
Process 500+ hours of live content weekly
Cut ad insertion time by 80%
Increase C3/C7 ad revenue by 15%
Unlocking New Revenue Streams
By speeding up live-to-VOD conversion, broadcasters can:
Sell more ad slots in the C3/C7 window
Increase CPM rates due to better measurement
Expand OTT monetization with targeted ads
Competitive Advantage
Early adopters of this technology gain:
Faster time-to-market for on-demand content
Lower operational costs (automation reduces manual work)
Better compliance with Nielsen’s measurement standards
Beyond Watermarking: What’s Next?
Telestream’s innovation hints at broader trends:
AI-driven ad insertion
Cloud-native media workflows
Real-time analytics for content optimization
Why This Matters for the Industry
As streaming dominates viewership, automated solutions like Vantage will be essential for:
Scaling content production
Improving ad revenue efficiency
Staying competitive in a fragmented market
Telestream’s new Vantage option for Nielsen C3/C7 watermarking represents a major leap forward in broadcast technology. By automating what was once a manual and slow process, broadcasters can now:
Speed up VOD/OTT publishing
Maximize C3/C7 ad revenue
Improve measurement accuracy with CBET
For any media company looking to future-proof its workflows, this innovation is a must-adopt solution.