What are Channels?
Blue Billywig Channels lets you create a fully branded, standalone video experience — your own streaming portal. Channels combines your video content into a single, customizable destination with swim lanes, grids, carousels, search, detail pages, and more.
Key Features
- Branded video hub — customize colors, fonts, logos, and layout to match your brand
- Multiple layout types — sliders, carousels, grids, and featured headers
- Search — built-in search across all channel content
- Detail pages — dedicated landing pages per video with related content
- Playlists & clips — organize content into playlists or feature individual clips
- Responsive — works across desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers
- Monetization — full ad support (VAST, VPAID, Google IMA)
- Analytics — built-in viewing statistics and event tracking
- Deep linking — link directly to specific videos within a channel
How It Works
A channel is configured in the Blue Billywig Online Video Platform (OVP). You select content (clips, playlists, projects), choose a layout, and customize the appearance. The platform generates a channel that can be:
- Embedded on your website using JavaScript or iframe embed codes
- Embedded in a mobile app using the React Native, SwiftUI, or Compose Channel SDK
- Accessed as a standalone page via a direct URL
Channel URL Format
Every channel has a unique URL:
https://{publication}.bbvms.com/ch/{channelId}
For example: https://demo.bbvms.com/ch/1152
Platform Support
| Platform | Method | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Web (any website) | JavaScript embed or iframe | Support site |
| React Native app | @bluebillywig/react-native-channel | React Native SDK |
| SwiftUI app (iOS) | BBChannelSDK via SPM | SwiftUI SDK |
| Compose app (Android) | com.bluebillywig:channel-compose | Compose SDK |
Channel Elements
Channels are built from four element types:
Header
A logo image and/or title text displayed at the top of the channel.
Video Player
An inline video player showing a clip, playlist, or project. Only one player element per channel. Options include:
- Show/hide title and description
- Playlist display position (right of player or below)
- Content presentation mode (inline player, deep link, or detail page)
Playlist
A collection of videos displayed as a slider, carousel, or grid. Multiple playlist elements can be added. Options include:
- Slider, carousel, or grid layout
- Customizable thumbnail aspect ratios (16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 21:9, 4:5)
- Show/hide video titles
Featured Block
A large hero-style element with a custom image (recommended 1600×600px), title, and a single featured video.
Configuration
Channels are configured in the Blue Billywig OVP under Content Management → Channels. Available settings include:
- Color theme — Light or Dark
- Fonts — Primary and secondary font families and colors
- Background color — Presets or custom hex code
- Border radius — Controls corner roundness (0px = square)
- Padding — Left/right outer spacing (0px = full width)
- Maximum width — Constrain the channel width
- Search — Enable/disable the search bar
- Button styling — Border radius, colors, hover states