MRSS (Media RSS) is the standard feed format that powers video distribution across CTV platforms, news publishers, podcast directories, and content aggregators. Instead of uploading manually to each destination, you publish once and let the feed do the delivery. Here are five common ways publishers use MRSS and how VideoNest handles each one.
Use Case 1: News and Content Syndication
Major news and content aggregators like MSN and Yahoo ingest video via MRSS rather than requiring direct uploads. Publishers whose content matches the platform's editorial requirements can reach millions of readers this way. No ongoing manual work required. VideoNest automates the feed generation and manages the syndication relationships directly. Once connected, your library is live on the platform and new videos appear automatically within minutes of publishing.
Use Case 2: Smart TV and CTV Distribution
OTT platforms including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV use MRSS to populate video channels. Each platform has its own metadata schema: field names, character limits, thumbnail requirements, and category taxonomies that differ between them. VideoNest generates feeds formatted to each platform's specific requirements, so your content passes ingestion validation on the first attempt. As you publish new videos, the feeds update automatically and your channel stays current without any intervention from your team.
Use Case 3: Editorial and Publisher Integrations
Digital newsrooms and editorial sites use MRSS to pull relevant video directly into articles and section pages. Rather than embedding individual videos by hand, the CMS ingests a feed and surfaces matching content automatically. VideoNest supports filtered MRSS feeds: you can deliver sports content to a sports publisher and finance content to a finance platform from the same library, without any overlap or manual segmentation. Revenue sharing from these placements flows back through VideoNest's monetization program.
Use Case 4: Podcast and Vodcast Distribution
VideoNest's podcast distribution feature is built on MRSS. Set a duration filter and a content type, and VideoNest generates a formatted RSS feed from every qualifying video in your library. That feed is submitted to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other directories and updates automatically with each new upload. You don't record a separate podcast; the video content you're already producing becomes the episode. Back catalog content is included from day one.
Use Case 5: Content Portability and Platform Migrations
MRSS feeds are also a practical tool for content portability. Because the feed includes video URLs, metadata, thumbnails, and publish dates in a structured format, it serves as a complete snapshot of your library that any compatible platform can ingest. Publishers migrating between hosting providers, or setting up a presence on a new platform, can use their VideoNest MRSS feed as the source of record rather than manually re-uploading and re-entering metadata for every video.
MRSS feed questions
What is an MRSS feed used for?
An MRSS feed is a Media RSS feed that carries video files, thumbnails, metadata, and publish dates in a structured format so platforms can ingest them automatically. Publishers use it to distribute video to CTV platforms, news publishers, podcast directories, and content aggregators from a single source instead of uploading to each destination manually.
Which platforms accept MRSS feeds?
MRSS feeds are accepted by news and content aggregators like MSN and Yahoo, CTV and smart TV platforms including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, editorial CMS platforms that surface matching video in articles, and podcast directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Any destination that supports MRSS or a compatible feed format can ingest the same source feed.
How does VideoNest generate MRSS feeds?
VideoNest generates and maintains live MRSS feeds automatically. It formats each feed to a destination's specific metadata schema, field names, character limits, thumbnail requirements, and category taxonomies so content passes ingestion validation on the first attempt, and the feeds regenerate as your library changes.
Can one MRSS feed serve different destinations?
Yes. VideoNest supports filtered MRSS feeds, so you can route sports content to a sports publisher and finance content to a finance platform from the same library without overlap. Each feed can carry its own metadata filters, partner-specific fields, and scheduling rules while drawing from one source catalog.
Do MRSS feeds update when new videos are published?
Yes. When you publish a new video, the MRSS feed updates automatically and the new content appears on connected platforms within minutes. VideoNest regenerates feeds as your library changes, so CTV channels, news partners, and podcast directories stay current without any manual re-upload or metadata entry.
Can an MRSS feed help migrate content between platforms?
Yes. Because an MRSS feed includes video URLs, metadata, thumbnails, and publish dates in a structured format, it serves as a complete snapshot of your library that any compatible platform can ingest. Publishers migrating between hosting providers or setting up a presence on a new platform can use their feed as the source of record instead of re-uploading and re-entering metadata for every video.