Roku Developer Program

[CoffeeWithJesus]

Hello. My channel went live a few days ago. The feed file checked out, the videos are there, the category/tag is working. But I noticed when scrolling through the videos, none of the descriptions are present. Neither the long descriptions, nor the short descriptions. Can someone help me identify the cause and the remedy? TIA.

[Baradanikto]

Can you post a screen capture of your channel?  Are you using an XML or JSON feed.

If possible, please post your feed file contents or a sample of one item.

[CoffeeWithJesus]

Here is the contents of the JSON feed file through the first episode:

===========

{
"lastUpdated": "2022-07-22T02:25:51+00:00",
"providerName": "Coffee With Jesus Ministries",
"language": "en-US",
"shortFormVideos": [
{
"id": "3dadbdb1ca734609a382ebe863400a9b",
"title": "When Things Don't Make Sense",
"content": {
"dateAdded": "2022-07-22T12:10:30+00:00",
"videos": [
{
"url": "https://www.coffeewithjesus.info/roku/cwj_s2e24.mp4",
"quality": "SD",
"videoType": "MP4"
}
],
"duration": 1488,
"language": "en-US"
},
"thumbnail": "https://www.coffeewithjesus.info/roku/cwj_s2e24_yt.png",
"shortDescription": "Sometimes the weight of discouragement and frustration is so heavy that it makes us feel disappointed, angry, or anxious.",
"releaseDate": "2022-07-28",
"longDescription": "Indignation. Disappointment. Frustration. How do we make sense of things when nothing around us seems to make any sense? Sometimes the weight of discouragement and frustration is so heavy that it makes us feel disappointed, angry, or anxious. In this episode of Coffee With Jesus, Todd and special guest-host Yilda Rivera take us to rock-bottom moments in which Moses, Elijah, and Jeremiah experienced emotional meltdowns. How did they cast their anxiety on God? How did God respond? Listen to this episode and learn how these three giants in the faith (Moses, Elijah, and Jeremiah) started a raw and unfiltered conversation with God. Their prayers can teach us about navigating through emotional distress when nothing around makes sense. Know that you don’t have to face extreme pain, grief, or difficulty alone. God is also sad when terrible things happen. He knows about what you are going through. And not only He knows, He wants to walk with you. Accompany Todd and Yilda in this conversation about when the brutality of life meets God’s goodness and be comforted to experience God’s gentle care on a whole new level.",
"genres": [
"faith"
],
"tags": ["Season 2"],
"rating": {
"rating": "G",
"ratingSource": "MPAA"
}
},

====================

I'll try to get a screen shot as well.  Thank you!

[Baradanikto]

The example you posted shows that you've defined the content as a "shortFormVideo" even though the duration is greater than 15 minutes.  Per the Roku JSON spec:

Short-form videos are generally less than 15 minutes long and are not TV Shows or Movies.

Additionally, by default, "shortFormVideos" do not show the long description.  You should, however, still see the short description above the content in your channel.

If you were to define the content as another content type (ie. Movie), you should see the long description.

[CoffeeWithJesus]

Thank you!  Most of our videos are 15-5 minutes. Should I label them as movie or TV shows?

[Baradanikto]

You should take a closer look at the Roku JSON Spec.  There is some minor guidance that describes the use of each content type.  In addition, you'll need to decide whether you intend to monetize your channel.  That will impact what type of content you define.

Lastly, consider defining a Series (with Episodes) if you plan on grouping content that is similar in nature.

[CoffeeWithJesus]

Thanks!!