DCR Video & Static Roku Cloud API

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This guide shows you how to integrate the Nielsen Cloud API to enable Digital Content Ratings (DCR) measurement on your Roku Apps.

Prerequisites

To get started, you will need a Nielsen App ID. The App ID is a unique ID assigned to your app. This will be provided to you upon starting the integration. 

XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX

Integration

We will cover the steps for constructing the Cloud API Calls.

Request Overview

URL Structure

The Cloud API Calls are HTTP GET Requests with the URL structure: 

[endpoint]/[appid]/[sessionID]/a?b=[payload]

The URL includes the following components:

  • [endpoint]: location of data collection environment
  • [appid]: provided App ID
  • [sessionID]: unique value for each user session
  • [payload]: metadata and events

Endpoint

There are endpoints for testing and production:

During testing, all calls should be pointed to the testing endpoint. We will review the update to the production endpoint during the Go Live section of this guide.

URL Example

As you move through the integration steps, you can reference the below URL structure with the expanded payload: 

http://sandbox.cloudapi.imrworldwide.com/nmapi/v2/[appid]/[sessionID]/a?b=
{
  "devInfo": [deviceInfo],
  "metadata": {
    "static": [static_metadata],
    "content": [content_metadata],
    "ad": [ad metadata]
  },
  "event": [event],
  "position": [playhead_position],
  "type": [asset type],
  "utc": [UTC]
}

Create Session ID

A unique Session ID must be created upon app launch and provided in the URL. This will allow measurement to occur for the entire duration that a user is within the app.

The session ID must be passed with every request and must remain consistent throughout each individual session.

Example Roku Sample Code Provided Below:

sessionTime = createObject("roDateTime")

sessionID = (sessionTime.asSeconds()).tostr()+(sessionTime.getMilliseconds()).tostr()

Upon exiting the app, the session will need to be terminated using the delete event. Sessions will automatically expire after 30 minutes of cloud inactivity.

Define URL Structure

Define the URL structure using your provided [appid] and a unique [sessionID]. 

http://sandbox.cloudapi.imrworldwide.com/nmapi/v2/[appid]/[sessionID]/a?b=[payload]

Configure Payload

All Cloud API requests must contain the following payload data:

  • devInfo: device and app info
  • metadata: asset metadata
  • event metadata: type of event

The payload can be passed through key-values using the Nielsen reserved keys. The specific keys and descriptions are highlighted in the tables included in this section.

Payload Example

The example below should be referenced when following the steps for configuring the request payload. 

// 3.1 Configure Payload: devInfo 
payload = {
    "devInfo": {
        "apn": "AppName",
        "encdata": "encdata=v1.key.RokuAES256CBC00.iv3x2EV0BpHH9AbZK%2FnBWWRhZbj7pD%3D...",
        "apv": "1.0",
        "uoo": "false"
    },
    
    // 3.2 Configure Payload: metadata
    "metadata": {
        "static": {}, // object for measuring static content
        "content": { // object for measuring video content
            "type": "content", // "content" for video
            "assetid": "VIDEO-ID123", // unique ID for video
            "isfullepisode": "y", // full episode flag
            "program": "Program Name", // program name
            "title": "Episode Title S3 - EP1", // episode name
            "length": "1800", // content duration in seconds
            "segB": "Custom Segment B", // custom segment
            "segC": "Custom Segment C", // custom segment
            "crossId1": "Standard Episode ID", // episode ID
            "crossId2": "Content Originator ID", // content orginator (required for distributors)
            "airdate": "20161013 20:00:00", // airdate
            "adloadtype": "2", //ad load flag
            "hasAds": "1", // content contains ads = 1 / no ads = 0
            "progen": "CV" // program genre abbreviation
        },
        "ad": {
            "type": "preroll", // type of ad
            "assetid": "AD-ID123" // unique ID for ad
        }
    },
    
    // 3.3 Configure Payload: events
    "event": "playhead", //event name
    "position": "300", // position in seconds
    "type": "content", //"content" or "ad"
    "utc": "1456448742000" //unix timestamp in milliseconds 
}
Configure Payload: devInfo

An object "devInfo" will need to be created to capture App and Device information.

Keys Description Values Required
encdata Nielsen - Roku ID for Advertisers N-RIDA Payload Yes
apn app name custom Yes
apv app build version custom Yes
uoo device opt-out status "true" or "false" Yes
Example Example Example Yes

Example devInfo Object 

// create devInfo object
"devInfo": {
  "encdata": "encdata=v1.key.RokuAES256CB...",
  "apn": "AppName",
  "apv": "1.0",
  "uoo": "false"
},
Encdata (N-RIDA): Nielsen - Roku Identifier for Advertisers

The N-RIDA (Nielsen-Roku ID for Advertisers) is a proprietary advertising identifier that ties back to an individual Roku device, and allows Nielsen to attribute audience metrics. The N-RIDA is provided by Roku, and is pulled through the Roku AdIface.GetNielsenContentData() API.

The N-RIDA payload should be requested once per user session and populated in the "encdata" Nielsen key within the "devInfo" payload. Each Cloud API request throughout a user session should include the same N-RIDA payload. The N-RIDA should be established when a user launches the app, and it should be maintained until the user exits. A new N-RIDA payload should be requested when the user re-enters the app.

Prerequisites For Using The AdIface.GetNielsenContentData() Roku API

  • Roku Ad Framework (RAF) must be implemented:
    • bs_libs_required=roku_ads_lib must be included in the Roku manifest file.
    • Library "Roku_Ads.brs" should be the first entry in your Roku main.brs file.
    • adIface = Roku_Ads() allows you to access the Roku Ad Framework interface and must be called before utilizing RAF API's such as AdIface.GetNielsenContentData()
  • For additional details for integrating the Roku Ad Framework (RAF) please refer to the link provided below:
Request N-RIDA for the devInfo Payload encdata parameter using AdIface.GetNielsenContentData()

Example Code For Configuring Encdata 

// create a variable as a placeholder for the N-RIDA payload
n_Rida=AdIface.GetNielsenContentData()

// populate the encdata key in devInfo with the AdIface.GetNielsenContentData() retrun
"devInfo": {
  "apn": "AppName",
  "apv": "1.0",
  "encdata": "n_Rida", //insert the AdIface.GetNielsenContentData() return within encdata
  "uoo": "false"
}

Note: When pulled and populated into the encdata key, the AdIface.GetNielsenContentData() return will be formatted similarly to the example below, and will include "encdata=" within the return along with the N-RIDA key.

"encdata":"encdata=v1.key.RokuAES256CBC00.iv.HSh88AM%2BG%2Fx57TZ%2BW5j5Fw%3D%3D..."

3.2 Configure Payload: metadata

Asset metadata can be passed through "metadata". There are two asset types: "content" for video and "ad" for ads. The metadata received for each asset is used for classification and reporting.

You will need to set up "metadata" objects for "content" and "ad" with the required Nielsen keys as shown in the sample code below.

Content Metadata

Content metadata should remain constant throughout the entirety of an episode/clip including when ads play.

Keys Description Values Required
type type of asset "content" Yes
assetid unique ID assigned to asset custom Yes
program name of program (25 character limit) custom Yes
title name of program (25 character limit) custom Yes
length length of content in seconds seconds (86400 for live stream) Yes
segB custom segment B custom
segC custom segment C custom
airdate the airdate in the linear TV YYYYMMDD HH24:MI:SS Yes
isfullepisode full episode flag "y"- full episode, "n"- non full episode Yes
crossId1 standard episode ID custom Yes
crossId2 content originator (only required for distributors) Nielsen
adloadtype type of ad load:

"1" Linear – matches TV ad load

"2" Dynamic – Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI)

"2" - DCR measures content with dynamic ads Yes
hasAds ads indicator

"1": ads included

"0": ads not included

"1" or "0" Yes
progen program genre abbreviation - see DCR OTT Genre List for accepted values "CV" for Comedy Variety Yes


Example Content Object 

// create content object
"content": {
    "type": "content",
    "assetid": "VIDEO-ID123",
    "isfullepisode": "y",
    "program": "Program Name",
    "title": "Episode Title S3 - EP1",
    "length": "1800",
    "segB": "Custom Segment B",
    "segC": "Custom Segment C",
    "crossId1": "Standard Episode ID",
    "crossId2": "Content Originator ID",
    "airdate": "20161013 20:00:00",
    "adloadtype": "2",
    "hasAds": "1", 
    "progen": "CV"
}
Ad Metadata

The ad metadata should be passed for each individual ad.

Keys Description Values Required
type type of ad "preroll", "midroll", or "postroll" Yes
assetid unique ID assigned to ad custom Yes
Example Ad Object
// create ad object
"ad": {
  "type": "preroll",
  "assetid": "AD-ID123"
}

Configure Payload: Events

The last part of the payload is for enabling events so content is measured correctly when viewed. The events and required parameters are included below.

Event Types

The available events are:

Event Description
"playhead" Playhead position in seconds. Must be passed as a whole number every 10 seconds. The final playhead position should also be sent before an asset has changed to properly capture full duration. Playhead is used to handle pause and scrubbing. When content is paused, stop passing playhead position.
"complete" The complete event must be sent when the content has completed full playback. Before calling the complete event, a final playhead update with the final position is required to be sent to receive full duration credit.
"delete" The delete event must be sent when the session is completed, or terminated. After 30 minutes of inactivity, the session will expire. All creditable duration will be summarized for all asset types when delete occurs (content and ads).
Event Parameters

The following parameters need to be passed when calling events:

Parameter Description Value Required
"event" event type "playhead", "complete", or "delete" Yes
"position" creditable position playhead position in seconds or UTC timestamp in seconds for livestream Yes
"type" asset type "content", "ad" Yes
"utc" Unix timestamp in milliseconds. Must be passed every 10 seconds. "1472760000000" Yes
Example Event

You can call events by passing values in the required parameters: 

"devInfo": [deviceInfo],
  "metadata": {
    "static": [static metadata],
    "content": [content metadata],
    "ad": [ad metadata]
  },
  // Event Parameters
  "event": [event], // event name
  "position": [playheadPosition], //position in seconds
  "type": [asset type], // values are "content" or "ad"
  "utc": "1472760000000" //unix timestamp in milliseconds
}

Note: The full payload including "devInfo" and "metadata" must be populated in each event request.

Example Image Request

In order to execute Cloud API calls, image requests will need to be established for each event.

Playhead Image Request Example Code

playheadRequest = CreateObject("roUrlTransfer")
                sendUrl = sessionUrl+playheadRequest.Escape(playheadPayload)
                playheadRequest.SetUrl(sendUrl)
                xport=CreateObject("RoMessagePort")
                playheadRequest.setport(xport)
                aa3 = {}
                aa3["Connection"] = "keep-alive"
                aa3["Content-type"] = "image/gif"
                playheadRequest.SetHeaders(aa3)
                playheadRequest.setRequest("GET")
Sample Event Lifecycle

The sample event lifecycle can be used as a reference for identifying the order for calling events and values to pass. 

// Start of Session: session ID created when App is opened

// Preroll
Ad Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "0", "type": "ad", "utc": "1472760000000"} 
 
// Content
Content Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "0", "type": "content", "utc": "1472760000000"} 

// Midroll
Midroll Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "0", "type": "ad", "utc": "1472760000000"} 

// Content resumes at 15 minutes
Content Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "900", "type": "content", "utc": "1472760000000"} 

// Content completes at 30 minutes
Complete {"event": "complete", "position": "1800", "type": "content", "utc": "1472760000000"} 
 
// Postroll
Ad Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "0", "type": "ad", "utc": "1472760000000"} 

//End of Session: The delete event should be called when the App is exited. The values for position and type not required to be passed.
Delete { "event": "delete", "position": "", "type": "", "utc": "1472760000000"}


Sample Event Lifecycle - Detailed Storyline This detailed event sequence provides additional insight for the correct events to call when handling certain playback scenarios. 

// SESSION STARTS
// Start of Session: session ID created when App is opened

// PREROLL
// Preroll Start - Start each Ad with a position of "0", resetting to '0' for each Ad, and Ad break.
Ad Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "0", "type": "ad", "utc": "1472760000000"} 

// Preroll Stop - End each Ad with the final position of the Ad.
Ad Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "15", "type": "ad", "utc": "1472761500000"}
 
// CONTENT 
// Content Start - Start new content streams with a position of "0" incrementing the position every 10 seconds.
Content Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "0", "type": "content", "utc": "1472761500000"} 

// Content Stop Before Ad Break - Send a playhead update including the current content positon before an Ad break.
Content Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "299", "type": "content", "utc": "1472787400000"}

// MIDROLL
// Midroll Start - Start each Ad with a position of "0", resetting to '0' for each Ad, and Ad break.
Midroll Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "0", "type": "ad", "utc": "1472787500000"} 

// Midroll Stop - End each Ad with the final position of the Ad.
Ad Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "60", "type": "ad", "utc": "1472793500000"}

// CONTENT
// Content resumes at 5 minutes - Send playhead update with the current resumed position, and begin incrimenting the positon every 10 seconds.
Content Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "300", "type": "content", "utc": "1472799500000"} 

// Content completes at 10:12 - Make sure to send in the playhead event with the final content position before sending the complete event.
Final Content Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "612", "type": "content", "utc": "1472830700000"} 

Complete {"event": "complete", "position": "612", "type": "content", "utc": "1472830800000"} 

// POSTROLL
// Postroll Start - Start each Ad with a position of "0", resetting to '0' for each Ad, and Ad break.
Ad Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "0", "type": "ad", "utc": "1472830900000"} 

// Postroll Stop - End each Ad with the final position of the Ad.
Ad Playhead {"event": "playhead", "position": "45", "type": "ad", "utc": "1472835300000"}

// SESSION ENDS

//End of Session: The delete event should be called when the App is exited. The values for position and type not required to be passed.
Delete { "event": "delete", "position": "", "type": "", "utc": "1472835400000"}


Handling Playhead

Calling "playhead" is critical for accurate duration crediting. You can reference the below guidance to determine the correct playhead position to pass depending on the playback scenario.

Playhead: General

  • Playhead position must start at 0 for each new asset, and be passed at least every 10 seconds.
  • Final postion must be sent at the end of content or an ad

Playhead: Ads

  • The final position must be sent when switching from content to ad, or ad to content.
  • Each ad playhead position should be 0 at ad start.
  • For Ad Pods, playhead must be called, and reset to 0 for each individual ad.
  • The last content position before an Ad should be sent before switching to Ads.
  • When content has resumed following an ad break, the playhead position update must continue where the previous content segment left off.

Playhead: User Actions

  • Upon user scrubbing, the current position must be sent before a user scrubs, and the new position should be sent where the user lands, and begin sending in the 10 second updates thereafter.
  • On pause, send the current position and then discontinue sending playhead event updates.
  • If a user exits a stream early, the last current position must be sent in a playhead update to receive accurate duration.
Interruption Scenarios

As part of configuring events, you will need to handle all possible interruption scenarios such as:

  • Wi-Fi OFF / ON
  • App going Background / Foreground (Video players only, not for Audio players)
  • App Crash or Exit

When playback is interrupted, the app needs to send delete immediately.

Once playback resumes, a new session will need to be created with a unique session ID. All of the required metadata and events will need to be sent.

Note: The session will automatically timeout after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Example Request

Now that we walked through the Cloud API integration steps, your requests should have the following components: Session ID, App ID, and Payload. You can reference the example below when your reviewing your integration. 

// 1. Create Session ID
sessionTime = createObject("roDateTime")
sessionID = (sessionTime.asSeconds()).tostr()+(sessionTime.getMilliseconds()).tostr()

// 2. Define URL Structure with App ID and Session ID
sessionURL = http://sandbox.cloudapi.imrworldwide.com/nmapi/v2/[appid]/[sessionID]/a?b=

// 3. Configure Payload
// 3.1 Configure Payload: devInfo 
payload = {
 "devInfo": {
   "encdata": "encdata=v1.key.RokuAES256CB...",
   "apn": "AppName",
   "apv": "1.0",
   "uoo": "false"
  },
  
  // 3.2 Configure Payload: metadata
  "metadata": {
    "static": {}, // object for measuring static content
    "content": { // object for measuring video content
      "type": "content", // "content" for video
      "assetid": "VIDEO-ID123", // unique ID for video
      "isfullepisode": "y", // full episode flag
      "program": "Program Name", // program name
      "title": "Episode Title S3 - EP1", // episode name
      "length": "1800", // content duration in seconds
      "segB": "Custom Segment B", // custom segment
      "segC": "Custom Segment C", // custom segment
      "crossId1": "Standard Episode ID", // episode ID
      "crossId2": "Content Originator ID", // content orginator (required for distributors)
      "airdate": "20161013 20:00:00", // airdate
      "adloadtype": "2", // ad load flag
      "hasAds": "1", // content contains ads = 1 / no ads = 0
      "progen": "CV" // program genre abbreviation
    },
    "ad": {
      "type": "preroll", // type of ad
      "assetid": "AD-ID123" // unique ID for ad
    }
  },
    
  // 3.3 Configure Payload: events
  "event": "playhead", //event name
  "position": "300", // position in seconds
  "type": "content", //"content" or "ad"
  "utc": "1456448742000" //unix timestamp in milliseconds 
}

// Append payload to URL
sendUrl = sessionUrl.Escape(payload)

Enable Debug Logging

Now that you have set up the Cloud API requests, you can enable debug logging to validate your integration. Enabling debug logging is required for Nielsen certification.

GET Request

Display GET Request to console using a name to identify each event (e.g. playhead). 

print "Playhead Event " + sendUrl

Payload

Output payload to identify required metadata and events. 

print "Event Payload "+ playheadPayload + modSeq%.tostr()

HTTP Response Code

Confirm request was completed by viewing HTTP response code. 

httpCode = GetResponseCode()
print "Response Code  " +httpCode.tostr()

You can reference the HTTP Response Code table when reviewing your requests:

Status Code Status Text Description
200 OK request received
403 Forbidden invalid App ID
404 Not Found JSON issue

Opt-Out

Your app must provide a means for the user to Opt-Out, or Opt-In to Nielsen Measurement. This can be implemented in two steps:

Step 1: Nielsen Privacy Policy & Roku Channel Disclosure

In your application, you must display the Nielsen privacy policy, which instructs users on how to opt out and opt in to Nielsen measurements. This text is usually displayed in an application's "Settings" or "About" screens.

ABOUT NIELSEN MEASUREMENT

Television and the way we watch it have come a long way since Nielsen began measuring TV audiences in 1950. Today, the ability to watch our favorite shows at any time and on multiple devices amplifies the need for exceptionally adept and flexible audience measurement capabilities.

Consumers are changing with the times, and the same goes for us. As technology continues to evolve and media companies try new ways to attract viewers, understanding what consumers are watching — and what they're watching on — is more important than ever. Today, viewing video is a personal and mobile experience — anytime and anywhere. Our capabilities provide relevant metrics that are necessary to inform successful marketing and programming and drive continued growth. As a global information and measurement leader, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of the data we collect, process and use. While our digital measurement products are not used to identify you in any way, they help us and our clients measure and analyze how consumers engage with media across online, mobile and emerging technologies, and offer insights into consumer behavior.

YOUR CHOICES

Nielsen believes that you should have a choice about whether to contribute to our research and insights. To opt out, or opt into Nielsen measurement please choose the appropriate "Limit Ad Tracking" setting on your device. If you have this app on more than one device, you will need to opt out of this app on each device. To learn more about our digital measurement products and your choices in regard to them, please visit http://www.nielsen.com/digitalprivacy.

In addition, on your Roku Channel description, you should add the following disclosure:

This app features Nielsen's proprietary measurement software which will allow you to contribute to market research, like Nielsen's TV Ratings. Please see http://www.nielsen.com/digitalprivacy for more information.

Step 2: Use "Limit Ad Tracking" setting to set User Opt Out

Depending on the user's selection for the "Limit Ad Tracking" device setting, you should set the Cloud API "uoo" parameter accordingly. Roku provides an API called IsAdIdTrackingDisabled() to check the user's limit ad tracking setting.

uoo Key Description Values
uoo Device is Opted-In to Nielsen Measurement "false"
uoo Device is Opted-Out of Nielsen Measurement "true"

The "uoo" parameter is located in the "devInfo" JSON object, which will be sent in every Cloud API event (playhead, complete, & delete).

devInfo Opt-In JSON Payload Example
"devInfo": {
    "apn": "Roku Sample App",
    "apv": "1",
    "encdata": "encdata=v1.key.RokuAES256CB...",
    "uoo": "false"
  },
devInfo Opt-Out JSON Payload Example
  "devInfo": {
    "apn": "Roku Sample App",
    "apv": "1",
    "encdata": "", //Encdata must be blank when a user elects to Opt-Out.
    "uoo": "true"
  },

Your application should check the Limit Ad Tracking setting on each app start, and/or periodically, to ensure the user's ad tracking selection is reflected in the Nielsen opt-out setting in your app.

  • In addition, you will need to ensure that the encdata field is populated with a blank value if a user has elected to Opt-Out.

Testing

Before providing an app build to Nielsen for testing, it is important to run validation checks once you have enabled debug logging.

Payload Validation

Ensure that all of the required payload data is populating while testing several videos. The following areas are critical to measurement:

  • devInfo
  • Asset metadata for both content, and ads
  • Events
  • Opt-Out status

Player Events

Review event calls:

playhead

  • Playhead position updates every 10 seconds starting at position '0' for each new asset.
  • Final playhead position is sent on content, or ad before switching between assets.
  • Content metadata remains constant throughout an episode, or clip play.
  • Ad metadata is populated appropriately for each individual ad.
  • Playhead position update resumes for content after an ad break, and resets to 0 for each individual ad.
  • For scrubbing, last current position should be sent while scrubbing occurs, and the new position should also be sent where the user scrubs to.
  • Exiting a stream early should execute the last current position in a playhead update to receive accurate duration.
  • Upon pause, the current position should be sent, and playhead updates should stop incrementing until resume play occurs.

complete

  • Check that the complete event executes upon content complete after the final playhead update is sent.
  • Do not execute the complete event for ads

delete

  • Check to see that the delete event occurs upon app exit

GET Request Format

  • Ensure that the event payloads are formatted in JSON
  • Check to see that each of the Cloud API GET requests are properly encoded.

HTTP Response

  • Make sure that each of the Cloud API Get requests are received by the Nielsen Cloud API properly through use of the HTTP Response Code outputs enabled in console.

Opt-Out

  • Test the "uoo" key gets populated accurately for both Opt-In and Opt-Out selections by validating the Cloud API events called after the user Opt-Out/Opt-In selection.
  • Test that the encdata field is populated with a blank value if a user has elected to Opt-Out. For Example: "encdata": "",
  • If the device supports "Limit Ad Tracking" or has device "Opt-Out" settings, test that uoo=true, and that encdata is set to a blank value if enabled in the device settings.

Go Live

After your integration has been certified, you will need to: Change Endpoint and Disable Logging.

Change Endpoint: You will need to update to the production endpoint:

Your production URL structure should now be: https://cloudapi.imrworldwide.com/nmapi/v2/[appid]/[sessionID]/a?b=[payload]

Disable Logging: You can now disable debug logging.

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