What is new in hls interstitials

What's New in HLS Interstitials

At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced several new features and improvements for HLS interstitials. Here are the key updates:

1. Integrated Timeline API:

   • A new AVFoundation API called Integrated Timeline has been introduced. This API provides a data model for the timing and sequence of playback of content within interstitials. It allows developers to build new UI experiences and enable users to seamlessly navigate in and out of interstitials.
   • The API supports different ways to present interstitials on the timeline, such as marking them as points or ranges on the transport bar. This can be useful for various use cases, including VOD content and live streams.

2. New HLS Syntax:

   • New syntax has been added for describing how an interstitial should behave in an integrated timeline. This includes properties like timeline occupancy to signal whether an interstitial is a single point or a range on the timeline.

3. SharePlay Support:

   • SharePlay support has been extended to interstitial assets. By marking the interstitial as not variable in the API, developers can ensure that interstitials are synchronized across devices during a SharePlay session.

4. Use Cases Beyond Ads:

   • While HLS interstitials have primarily been used for ad insertion, Apple encourages their use for presenting other auxiliary content such as show promos, studio banners, and program recap segments.

For more detailed information, you can watch the session Enhance ad experiences with HLS interstitials starting at the "Integrated timeline" chapter.

Relevant Sessions

1. Enhance ad experiences with HLS interstitials
2. Discover media performance metrics in AVFoundation