Send a playlist and resolve a blocked publish

Send to the TVs you choose

Open Play, select the paired Apple TVs you want to update, and choose Play on … TVs. Each selected player downloads and checks the files before the group is scheduled to switch.

Unlimited screens means your standard plan does not limit the number you pair. Check the selection each time so only the intended displays receive the update.

An offline selected TV can hold up the group. Check the selection before sending, especially when a screen is powered down.

Read the progress

• Downloading / Sending: files are being prepared. Already prepared content can keep playing.
• Ready / Starting together: the player has prepared the update and activation is being coordinated.
• Playing: the player reported activation. Check the physical TV for the final visual result.
• A TV couldn’t get the playlist / blocked: read the dashboard error and look at the physical Apple TV. Storage-derived errors stay generic in the dashboard; the updated player shows the exact required and available storage locally, with a recovery action.
• Skipped: that TV was excluded from this publish; it does not receive this update as part of the group.

Recover a blocked group

Do not repeatedly delete and re-pair devices to resolve a download failure. That changes pairing state and may not address the media or network problem. The updated storage checks and automatic local error overlay are in Apple TV version 1.0.3 (18), which was Waiting for Review as of October 26, 2026 CDT (October 27 UTC); that update is not yet available. See the storage guide for the device budget and check the App Store for availability.

1. Record the affected TV name and the exact error. Keep working screens running.
2. Restore the affected Apple TV’s connection and confirm Better Signage is open. If the TV reports insufficient storage, remove unused apps or downloads in Apple TV Settings, then retry publishing. Do not delete working signage or original media to troubleshoot blindly.
3. When offered, Skip this TV removes a blocked member from the current group so remaining TVs can proceed. Send the playlist to the skipped TV separately when it is ready.
4. If you need to abandon preparation, use Stop sending while it is available. The previous prepared playlist stays in use. This control is unavailable after activation has been scheduled.

What starting together means

Better Signage coordinates a common start time after readiness checks. Network health, clock estimates, player conditions, and a late device can affect the observed result. It is not a frame-lock system for video walls.

Related help

• A screen is offline or the internet is down
• Network and firewall requirements
• A TV is blank or showing the wrong content