CTV Distribution Overview
Two paths to reach viewers on connected TV — VideoNest-managed channel creation, or self-serve MRSS feed for your own channel.
Two Paths to CTV
VideoNest supports two distinct approaches to connected TV distribution, so you can choose the one that fits your team's capabilities and goals. You can use the managed approach, where VideoNest handles everything on your behalf, or the self-serve approach, where you maintain direct ownership of the channel relationship with the platform. Both approaches use the same VideoNest content — the difference is in who controls the channel setup and ongoing management.
Path 1 — VideoNest Manages Your Channel
In the managed approach, VideoNest creates and operates the CTV channel on your behalf. You provide your content through your VideoNest library, and VideoNest handles every step of the channel lifecycle: platform submission, feed configuration, app certification, and ongoing maintenance as platform requirements change.
This approach is available for the following platforms:
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Samsung TV+
- Tubi
- Pluto TV
The managed approach is ideal for publishers who want to be present on CTV without investing time in platform-specific requirements, developer accounts, or certification workflows. VideoNest's team knows the requirements for each platform and manages updates as they arise.
Publishers using the managed approach can go from zero to a live CTV channel significantly faster than building and certifying their own app. If speed to market matters, this is the right choice.
Path 2 — Self-Serve MRSS Feed
If you already have your own CTV channel on Roku or another platform — or want to maintain direct ownership of the channel relationship — VideoNest can generate a platform-specific MRSS feed that you submit yourself. You control the channel account on the platform, and VideoNest supplies the content via feed.
In this model:
- VideoNest generates a properly formatted MRSS feed for your chosen platform
- You submit the feed URL through your own developer account on that platform
- VideoNest keeps the feed updated as you publish new content
- The channel is yours — VideoNest is the content infrastructure behind it
This approach provides full ownership of the platform relationship and channel analytics. It requires a developer account with the platform and familiarity with their submission process, but VideoNest's platform-specific setup guides walk you through each step.
Which Path is Right for You?
| Managed by VideoNest | Self-Serve MRSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Who handles setup | VideoNest team | You |
| Platform account needed | No | Yes |
| Speed to market | Fastest | Depends on certification |
| You own the channel | No — VideoNest manages it | Yes |
| Direct platform analytics | No (available through VideoNest) | Yes |
| Best for | Publishers new to CTV, teams without dev resources | Publishers with existing CTV presence or direct platform relationships |
Supported Platforms
VideoNest supports both distribution paths for the following connected TV platforms. Each has a dedicated setup guide:
Contact your VideoNest account manager or reach out to support. We'll help you decide based on your content volume, audience size, and whether you already have an existing presence on any of these platforms.