What is server-side ad insertion (SSAI)?

Server-side ad insertion (SSAI) is a technique where ad content is stitched into the video stream on the server before it reaches the CDN and the viewer's player. Unlike client-side ad insertion (CSAI), which loads ads separately in the player, SSAI delivers ads as part of the video stream itself. This makes ads indistinguishable from content at the network level, which means ad blockers cannot detect or remove them. SSAI also eliminates buffering between content and ads because there is no client-side ad loading.

How does V100 SSAI compare to Google DAI?

Google Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) is a mature SSAI platform with deep Google Ad Manager integration. V100's SSAI is platform-agnostic and works with any VAST/VMAP-compliant ad server. Google DAI has a larger ad marketplace through Google's demand-side platform. V100's advantage is that SSAI is one module in a full broadcast platform -- you get ad insertion alongside transcoding, DRM, DVR, multi-CDN, and AI Director in a single API. Google DAI requires separate services for everything except the ad stitching.

Does V100 SSAI support SCTE-35?

Yes. V100 detects SCTE-35 splice_insert and time_signal messages in the ingest stream and uses them to trigger ad break opportunities. You can also define ad break points programmatically through the API without SCTE-35 markers in the source stream. Both approaches can be used together -- SCTE-35 markers from the encoder define the primary ad breaks, and the API allows manual overrides or additional break points.

SERVER-SIDE AD INSERTION

Server-Side Ad Insertion
API for Streaming Revenue

Ad blockers kill client-side ad revenue. Buffering between content and ads kills viewer experience. V100's server-side ad insertion (SSAI) solves both problems by stitching ads directly into the video stream before it reaches the CDN. The viewer's player sees a single continuous stream -- no separate ad requests, no detectable ad URLs, no buffering transitions. SCTE-35 splice point detection, per-viewer ad personalization, geo-targeted blackout support, and revenue tracking per impression -- all through a REST API.

Get API Key View Code Sample

Ad-blocker resistant

Per-viewer personalization

Revenue tracking per impression

The Ad Revenue Problem in Streaming

Ad-supported streaming is the fastest-growing revenue model in video. But two problems undermine it: ad blockers that strip client-side ads before viewers see them, and poor ad experiences that drive viewers away. SSAI addresses both.

Ad Blockers Destroy Revenue

Over 40% of internet users have ad blockers installed. Client-side ad insertion (CSAI) loads ads through separate HTTP requests that ad blockers can identify and block. Every blocked ad is lost revenue. SSAI embeds ads into the content stream itself, making them indistinguishable from video content at the network level. Ad blockers cannot selectively remove content that is part of the video bitstream.

Buffering Kills Experience

Client-side ad insertion requires the player to pause content, fetch an ad from an ad server, buffer it, play it, then resume content. Each transition introduces buffering and potential errors. On slow connections, the ad may fail to load entirely, leaving a black screen. SSAI eliminates all of this -- the ad is already part of the stream, so transitions are seamless with zero additional buffering.

One-Size Ads Miss Revenue

Traditional broadcast advertising shows the same ad to every viewer. A viewer in Miami sees the same car dealership ad as a viewer in Seattle. Per-viewer SSAI personalizes ads based on location, demographics, device, and viewing history. Targeted ads command significantly higher CPMs -- typically 2-5x the rate of untargeted broadcast ads -- because advertisers pay for relevance.

How V100 SSAI Works

V100's ad insertion pipeline runs entirely server-side. The ingest stream arrives, SCTE-35 markers are detected, ads are fetched and transcoded to match the stream profile, and the stitched output is delivered through the CDN as a single continuous stream.

SCTE-35 Splice Detection

V100 monitors the ingest stream for SCTE-35 splice_insert and time_signal messages -- the industry standard for signaling ad break opportunities in live streams. When a splice point is detected, V100 triggers the ad decision process. You can also define ad breaks programmatically through the API for streams that do not carry SCTE-35 markers, or use both methods together.

Per-Viewer Personalization

Each viewer gets a unique manifest with personalized ad content. V100 calls your VAST/VMAP-compliant ad server with viewer context (location, device type, custom targeting parameters you define) and receives the ad creative to stitch for that specific viewer. Two viewers watching the same live stream see different ads based on their profile. This is how FAST channels and ad-supported tiers maximize CPM.

Geo-Targeted Blackouts

Sports leagues require regional blackouts to protect local broadcast deals. V100's SSAI supports geographic content replacement -- viewers in blacked-out regions see alternate content (a different game, a static message, or targeted ads) while viewers outside the blackout zone see the original stream. Blackout rules are configured per stream through the API with geographic targeting by country, state, or DMA.

Revenue Tracking

V100 tracks every ad impression at the server level. Because ads are stitched server-side, V100 knows exactly which ad was shown to which viewer, for how long, and whether the viewer watched through completion. This data feeds into your revenue reporting with per-impression granularity. Webhooks fire on ad start, first quartile, midpoint, third quartile, and completion for real-time revenue dashboards.

SSAI Use Cases

Server-side ad insertion powers the business model behind FAST channels, ad-supported streaming tiers, and sports broadcasting. Here is how different verticals use V100's SSAI module.

FAST Channels

Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) is the fastest-growing segment in streaming. FAST channels simulate the linear TV experience with ad breaks instead of subscription fees. V100's SSAI powers the entire ad break pipeline -- SCTE-35 markers trigger breaks, the ad server fills them with targeted creatives, and V100 stitches them seamlessly into the FAST channel stream. Per-viewer targeting maximizes CPM.

Ad-Supported Tiers

Every major streaming platform now offers an ad-supported tier at a lower price point. V100's SSAI lets you build this tier without a separate ad infrastructure. Subscribers on the ad tier get personalized ads stitched into their stream. Subscribers on the premium tier see no ads. The same content pipeline serves both -- V100 conditionally inserts ads based on the viewer's subscription level.

Sports Blackouts

Sports leagues enforce regional blackout rules to protect local broadcast agreements. V100's geo-targeted SSAI replaces the blacked-out content with alternative programming or targeted ads for viewers in restricted regions. Blackout rules can be configured per game, per region, and updated in real time through the API as broadcast windows change.

Comparison: V100 SSAI vs Google DAI vs AWS MediaTailor

The SSAI market has established players. Here is an honest comparison of how V100's ad insertion stacks up against Google's Dynamic Ad Insertion and AWS MediaTailor.

Capability	V100	Google DAI	AWS MediaTailor
SCTE-35 support	Yes	Yes	Yes
Per-viewer personalization	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ad server compatibility	Any VAST/VMAP	Google Ad Manager preferred	Any VAST/VMAP
Built-in transcoding	Yes (full pipeline)	Separate service	Via MediaConvert
Built-in DRM	Yes (same API)	Separate service	Separate service
Ad marketplace	BYOAS (bring your own)	Google demand-side	BYOAS
Geo blackouts	Built-in	Limited	Via CloudFront

Honest trade-off: Google DAI's biggest advantage is access to Google's massive ad demand marketplace through Google Ad Manager. If you need to fill ad inventory and do not have existing ad server relationships, Google DAI gives you immediate access to programmatic demand. V100 requires you to bring your own ad server (any VAST/VMAP-compliant server works). V100's advantage is that SSAI is one module in a complete broadcast platform -- you do not need separate services for transcoding, DRM, DVR, and CDN routing.

Integration Guide

Create an SSAI session with your ad server URL. V100 handles SCTE-35 detection, ad fetching, transcoding, and stitching. Use the API to manually trigger splice points and query revenue stats.

ssai-integration.js

// npm install v100-sdk
import { V100 } from 'v100-sdk';

const v100 = new V100('YOUR_API_KEY');

// Create an SSAI session for a live stream
const session = await v100.ssai.create_session({
  stream_id: 'stream_abc123',
  ad_server_url: 'https://ads.example.com/vast',
  scte35: { enabled: true },
  targeting: {
    geo: true,              // Pass viewer location to ad server
    device: true,           // Pass device type
    custom: { genre: 'sports' }
  }
});

// Manually trigger an ad break (no SCTE-35 needed)
await v100.ssai.splice_out(session.id, {
  duration: 30,             // 30-second ad break
  position: 'midroll'       // 'preroll' | 'midroll' | 'postroll'
});

// Return to content
await v100.ssai.splice_in(session.id);

// Get revenue stats for this session
const stats = await v100.ssai.stats(session.id);
// { impressions: 12450, completion_rate: 0.87,
//   revenue_estimate: "$1,245.00", avg_cpm: "$18.50" }

Or use the REST API directly:

terminal

curl -X POST https://api.v100.ai/v1/ssai/sessions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "stream_id": "stream_abc123",
    "ad_server_url": "https://ads.example.com/vast",
    "scte35": { "enabled": true },
    "targeting": { "geo": true, "device": true }
  }'

Pricing

SSAI is available on Pro and Enterprise plans. Pricing is based on ad impressions served. The free tier includes limited SSAI functionality for testing your integration before going to production.

Free Tier

$0/mo

Test SSAI integration.

SCTE-35 detection

VAST/VMAP support

1,000 impressions/mo

Basic revenue stats

RECOMMENDED

Pro

Usage-based

Production ad insertion at scale.

Everything in Free

Unlimited impressions

Per-viewer personalization

Revenue webhooks

Enterprise

Custom

Geo blackouts and custom ad logic.

Everything in Pro

Geo-targeted blackouts

Custom ad decision logic

Dedicated support

Monetize Your Streams with Server-Side Ads

Free tier includes 1,000 ad impressions per month for testing. SCTE-35 detection, VAST/VMAP support, and revenue tracking included on all plans.

Get API Key — Free Tier DVR & Time-Shift

Related Resources

Feature

Server-Side Ad Insertion
API for Streaming Revenue

The Ad Revenue Problem in Streaming

Ad Blockers Destroy Revenue

Buffering Kills Experience

One-Size Ads Miss Revenue

How V100 SSAI Works

SCTE-35 Splice Detection

Per-Viewer Personalization

Geo-Targeted Blackouts

Revenue Tracking

SSAI Use Cases

FAST Channels

Ad-Supported Tiers

Sports Blackouts

Comparison: V100 SSAI vs Google DAI vs AWS MediaTailor

Integration Guide

Pricing

Monetize Your Streams with Server-Side Ads

Related Resources

DVR & Time-Shift

Multi-CDN Routing

V100 Broadcast Platform

Server-Side Ad InsertionAPI for Streaming Revenue

The Ad Revenue Problem in Streaming

Ad Blockers Destroy Revenue

Buffering Kills Experience

One-Size Ads Miss Revenue

How V100 SSAI Works

SCTE-35 Splice Detection

Per-Viewer Personalization

Geo-Targeted Blackouts

Revenue Tracking

SSAI Use Cases

FAST Channels

Ad-Supported Tiers

Sports Blackouts

Comparison: V100 SSAI vs Google DAI vs AWS MediaTailor

Integration Guide

Pricing

Monetize Your Streams with Server-Side Ads

Related Resources

DVR & Time-Shift

Multi-CDN Routing

V100 Broadcast Platform

Server-Side Ad Insertion
API for Streaming Revenue