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How to use RSS feeds to drive syndication revenue

RSS lets you license and distribute video at scale without building a custom integration for every partner. Here is how publishers monetize syndication with Output.

Syndication is a product, not a file drop

Partners — OTT apps, FAST channels, regional publishers, and aggregators — want a reliable feed they can poll on a schedule. RSS gives them a standards-based XML envelope with titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and media URLs. When you control the feed, you control what they ingest and on what terms.

  • One stable URL per partner or territory
  • Update the catalog without breaking subscriptions
  • Filter by brand, tags, and rights per deal

Package inventory for licensing

Revenue follows packaging. Create separate feeds for vertical vs horizontal, English vs localized, or premium vs ad-supported tiers. Each feed can carry different item limits and metadata so partners know exactly what they are licensing.

  • Brand and series filters per feed
  • Aspect ratio rules for platform fit
  • Item caps for trial vs full catalog deals

Operationalize renewals and reporting

Syndication deals renew when partners see consistent quality and volume. Output's feed preview and monitoring help you prove delivery. On Advanced plans, feed health monitoring and audit history support enterprise renewals.

  • Preview exactly what partners receive
  • Track feed item counts over time
  • API and webhooks for internal reporting

Scale from one partner to a network

Start with a single RSS feed on Free to prove the workflow. Grow into 25 feeds on Business for regional licensors, then unlimited feeds on Advanced for professional publishers running dozens of simultaneous deals.

  • Free: 1 feed — validate one partner
  • Business: 25 feeds — small business syndication
  • Advanced: unlimited — professional publisher scale