Block Scheduling

Block scheduling lets you copy a set of runs from one day in your schedule and paste them to one or more future dates — all at once. Instead of rebuilding the same programming pattern week after week, you define it once and let Cablecast repeat it for you.

This guide covers two ways to use block scheduling: a quick one-time paste directly from the Schedule view, and setting up reusable named blocks in Location Settings.

What is a block?

A block is a snapshot of your schedule at a specific date and time. When you paste a block, Cablecast copies the selected runs and places them at the target date and time you choose. You can paste the same block to multiple dates in a single operation.

Method 1: Paste runs from the Schedule view

Use this method when you want to quickly copy a day's lineup to one or more future dates without saving the block for later reuse.

Step 1: Open the Schedule

Go to Schedule in the left-hand menu.

Step 2: Select and copy the runs you want

Check the box next to each run you want to include. To select every run scheduled for the day at once, click the checkbox in the top-left corner of the schedule grid. Then click Copy in the schedule toolbar.

Step 3: Choose a paste option

Click Paste in the schedule toolbar. A menu appears with three options:

• Original — Pastes the selected runs to the currently selected day at their original times.

• To Time — Pastes the selected runs to the currently selected day at a time you specify.

• Advanced — Pastes runs to multiple different days and times (used in Method 2).

For a quick one-time paste, choose Original or To Time depending on whether you want to preserve the original start times or shift them.

Original pastes the selected runs immediately to the currently selected day at their original times. No further input is needed.

To Time opens a dialog where you enter a start time, then click OK to apply. The first copied run will be placed at the time you enter, with the remaining runs following in sequence.

Method 2: Create a reusable block in Location Settings

Use this method when you want to save a named block that you can reuse across your schedule — for example, a "Monday Schedule" block that you apply every Monday for a month or more at a time.

This is a two-part process: first you configure the block in Location Settings, then you apply it from the Schedule view.

Part A: Configure the block in Location Settings

Step 1: Open Location Settings

Go to Settings → Location Settings → Schedule → Blocks.

Note: The Blocks tab is always visible, but may not be clickable if your user account doesn't have the appropriate permissions.

Step 2: Create a new block

Click + New Block. A form appears on the right side of the screen with the following fields:

• Block Name — Give the block a descriptive name (for example, "Monday Schedule" or "Weekend Morning").

• Given Run at — The source day and time for the block:

  • Source Day — The day of the week this block is based on. The specific date is less important than the day of the week it represents — what matters is that it's the right day type (for example, a Monday for a "Monday Schedule" block).

  • Source Time — The start time of the programming you want to copy. This should match the start time of the first run in the schedule you'll be copying from.

• Paste to — The target dates this block will paste to when applied. The start time must be entered manually for each date and should generally match your Source Time, unless you want to shift the block to a different time.

Step 3: Add target dates

In the Paste to section, click Pick a Day and select your first target date. Cablecast will calculate the offset from your source day automatically (for example, "offset: 7 days 00:00:00" for a weekly repeat). Enter the start time for that date — this should generally match your Source Time.

Add as many target dates as needed by clicking Pick a Day again, entering the start time for each.

If you need to paste to a different time on a specific date, click Add a Time under that date entry.

Step 4: Save the block

Click Save. The block is saved and listed by name in the left panel.

Part B: Apply the block from the Schedule view

Step 5: Select and copy your runs

Go to Schedule in the left-hand menu. Select the runs you want to copy by checking the box next to each one, or use the checkbox in the top-left corner of the schedule grid to select all runs for the day. Then click Copy in the schedule toolbar.

Step 6: Load the block

Click Paste in the schedule toolbar, then choose Advanced from the menu that appears. In the Paste Runs panel, click Load Block and select the block you created. Cablecast will populate the target dates you configured in Location Settings.

Step 7: Paste

Review the target dates in the panel, then click Paste to apply. Cablecast copies the selected runs to all of the configured target dates.

Next Steps

• To learn more about building and editing your schedule, see Understanding the Basics: Scheduling Programs.

• If you have shows that air on an ongoing, recurring basis, the Autoschedule tool can take block scheduling further by automatically populating your schedule based on rules you define — no manual copying required. It's the next step up for stations that want to run leaner.