Introduction

StreamLayer is an SDK and platform that transforms traditional video streaming into an interactive, advertising-driven experience. Designed for mobile, web, connected TV, and desktop, StreamLayer enables media companies and sports broadcasters to increase engagement, generate new revenue streams, and personalize viewer experiences—without disrupting core video content.

This page provides a high-level overview of StreamLayer, its capabilities, and how its components work together.

What StreamLayer Delivers

Interactive Advertising
Enable rich, in-play ad formats—such as overlays, L-bars, or notifications—triggered by real-time game events, VAST tags, SIMID, or SCTE-35 cues. Ads support interactive brand messaging and calls to action.
Engaging Viewer Features
Offer fans live stats, predictions, polls, Twitter highlights, Watch Parties, and messaging—all perfectly synced with the video timeline.
Seamless Integration
Our SDKs work with any video player. Features are integrated as overlays or in responsive layouts, adapting to landscape or portrait modes.
Multi-Platform Integration
Native SDKs for iOS, Android, React Native, Web, and tvOS allow seamless support for landscape, portrait, and squeeze-back experiences.
Contextual Intelligence
Use key moments in a game (e.g., touchdowns, stat milestones, tweets, betting odds) to trigger content and ads at the right time.

📘
⚡ What It Looks Like in Action
When the game changes, so does your experience.
A player scores 30 points.
A Sponsored Stat notification appears. The viewer taps. A branded, interactive 2:1 overlay opens instantly—contextual and in-stream.
🎥 https://streamlayer.wistia.com/medias/l1efhec2bu

The Three Core Components

1. StreamLayer SDK

The SDK embeds interactive features and advertising directly in your app. Versions are available for:

iOS
Android
React Native (including Expo)
tvOS
AndroidTV
WebOS
Web
ROKU

Supported formats include:

Squeeze-Back Mode – Video shrinks to display persistent ads or features in various layouts.
Overlay Mode – Content appears over the video.
Portrait Mode – Features display below the video.

All SDKs support real-time updates and dynamic reconfiguration from the backend.

2. StreamLayer Studio

StreamLayer Studio is a content management system for producers, moderators, and digital teams. You can:

Post ads, stats, polls, trivia, predictions, tweets, and insights
Trigger or schedule in-play promotions
Manage branding, themes, and overlays
Moderate live chat, Watch Parties, and games
Track engagement analytics and feature performance

Learn more → About StreamLayer Studio

3. Backend + Trigger Engine

Our backend handles:

Real-time event detection (game stats/key moments, VAST, SCTE-35, SIMID, elapsed time).
Conflict avoidance – multiple events activated in a short period.
Queuing for delayed viewing.
Payload generation for overlays and ads.
Configuration syncing across all SDK clients.
Analytics event processing and tracking.

Supported trigger sources include:

Event Triggers – Key game or match moments from providers such as Sportradar, Stats Perform, Opta, Genius, or league feeds.
SIMID – Secure Interactive Media Interface Definition.
VAST 4.x – From ad servers such as Google Ad Manager.
SCTE-35 – Linear broadcast cue tones.
Manual – From Studio or backend.
World Clock Triggers – Activate at a specific time.
Elapsed Time Triggers – Activate at a preset time delay from the previous card.
Custom Webhooks

Feature & Ad Ecosystem

Feature	Description
Interactive Ads	A full suite of dynamic ad units triggered in-play, including:
• Standard Ad (1:1, 2:1, 1:2)	Side Bar, L-Bar, or overlay with video/image with CTA button
• Insight Ad	Side Bar, L-Bar, or overlay with player, team, or match stats
• Prediction Ad	Side Bar, L-Bar, or overlay with player and game/race predictions
• Trivia Ad	Side Bar, L-Bar, or overlay with trivia questions + answers with context
• Poll Ad	Side Bar, L-Bar, or overlay gauging fan sentiment
• Shoppable Ad	Side Bar, L-Bar, or overlay with product views and commerce functionality
• Picture-in-Picture Ads	Game video set next to advertisement video, with branded background
• Frame Ads	Branded container that wraps around the video
• Video Banner Ads (7:1)	Wide branded video strip displayed over video on the bottom or top of the screen
• Sponsored Stats	Branded fact or stat shown during key moments in the stream.
• Event Link Cards	Branded transition card referencing event trigger stat before ad unit
Stats & Insights	Push key stats, fast facts, or highlight moments
Feature Sponsorship	Attach brands to polls, trivia, stats, or notifications
Live Odds & Micro-Wagering	Display sportsbook odds and offer betslip handoff
Free-to-Play Games	Trivia, polls, and prediction contests with real-time scoring
Public & Private Chat	Integrated messaging during live streams
Watch Party	Real-time group video chat with shared overlays
X/Twitter Integration	Surface high-impact social comments inline during the event
In-App Notifications	Trigger branded or contextual alerts during gameplay
User Profiles	Viewer identity, contact syncing, and presence awareness

StreamLayer Architecture at a Glance

Singleton SDK Instance: One instance per app, linked to a public API key.
Real-Time Overlay Triggers: The backend sends triggers, and the SDK renders instantly.
On-Demand Reconfiguration: Update features, ads, and layout in real time.
Secure User Syncing: Enables Watch Parties, contact invites, and messaging.
Analytics: Tracks impressions, clicks, dismissals, and feature engagement.

Authentication Flow

Some features require lightweight authentication for personalization and social interaction.

Phone number or email verification
Contact syncing (for Watch Parties and invites)
Viewer-controlled preferences
Optional user profile with avatar and name

Integration Readiness Checklist

Before starting your SDK integration, confirm the following:

You've identified which features your app will use.
You understand which trigger types apply (event, VAST, manual, etc.).
You have access to StreamLayer Studio or a triggering backend.
Your UI can support overlays in portrait, landscape, or squeeze-back modes.
You understand the correct timing for initializing features (only when opened).
Your team can validate tracking and analytics post-integration.

Next Steps

Choose where to go based on your role:

View supported ad formats → Ad Formats Reference
Start SDK implementation → iOS SDK → Getting Started
Learn about triggers → Event Triggering System
Create and moderate content → StreamLayer Studio Overview