> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nostalgiatv.gitbook.io/user-guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nostalgiatv.gitbook.io/user-guide/basics/settings/commercials.md).

# Commercials

Bring your "network" to life with vintage commercial breaks, station bumpers, and movie trailers.

{% hint style="info" %}
Before enabling ads, you must have your commercial files organized into their own dedicated library within Plex.

* **Do Not Mix Content:** Keep your commercials, bumpers, and trailers in a separate "Other Videos" or "TV" library in Plex.
* **Avoid Clutter:** If you mix them into your main TV Show library, Plex may try to "match" them as episodes, which will ruin your channel sorting.
  {% endhint %}

#### **Global Configuration**

Commercial settings are managed in the Commercials tab of the Settings menu.

{% columns %}
{% column %}
**Commercial Source**

Select the specific, dedicated Plex library where your vintage ads or promotional files are stored.

**Commercials for All Channels**

Toggling this on will add commercial breaks globally to all active stations.
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}

<figure><img src="https://1133341156-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FbyQJozebwQu1tYl63pxW%2Fuploads%2Fk6H3hmUfHgqfweCH5JoD%2FCommercials1.png?alt=media&amp;token=20863ef5-6d2d-4fd1-b1fd-c53ca343e44e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

{% columns %}
{% column %}
**Commercial Alignment & Intervals**

NostalgiaTV uses an advanced "Fill" logic to ensure your next show starts on a predictable schedule.

* Set your preferred "snap" interval point, such as every :00, :05, :10, :15, :30, or :60 minutes.
* When a program ends, the app calculates the exact duration remaining until the next interval block.
* It will play a sequenced block of commercials from your library to fill that gap perfectly.

{% hint style="info" %}
*Example: If your interval is set to :15 minutes and a sitcom ends at 2:33 PM, NostalgiaTV will play 12 minutes of commercials to ensure your next show premieres exactly at 2:45 PM.*
{% endhint %}

Changing the setting to **Off** will bypass the timing sync grid and simply stream a set number of random commercials between your files.
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
![](https://1133341156-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FbyQJozebwQu1tYl63pxW%2Fuploads%2FSuj0o8h02bISxCMkhWcM%2FCommercial%20Frequency.png?alt=media\&token=6fa33f9f-cb6d-42d4-9112-2ac57fdd1e61)

![](https://1133341156-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FbyQJozebwQu1tYl63pxW%2Fuploads%2FbgmUbwcjzHWNtF3dEL5N%2FCommercial%20Frequency1.png?alt=media\&token=74c507f0-dd31-4bcc-8f1f-0d2c67f13639)
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

### 🛠️ Advanced Ad Scheduling & Sources

Upgraded in recent releases, the interstitial engine handles complex placement rules and alternative asset types:

* **Mid-Program Commercial Breaks:** The app supports natural interstitial break placement mid-show. You can configure the engine to split programs at their mathematical halfway marks or trigger ad placement based on the media file's internal video chapter markers.
* **Music Tracks as Commercials:** You can utilize local audio tracks as commercial breaks rather than standard video files. This feature includes an integrated quick-picker engine within the settings UI to let you quickly build custom background tracking sequences.
* **Plex Trailers Source Integration:** Pro users can explicitly select *Plex Trailers* as an advanced commercial media source, letting the player fetch coming attractions directly from the host server.

{% hint style="info" %}
Toggling off the Commercials for All Channels setting will allow you to enable and customize unique commercial preferences for individual channels.
{% endhint %}