---
title: Create a program
slug: cinema/create-a-program
createdAt: 2024-05-16T14:39:31.608Z
---

## What is a program?

A program is a collection of shows (usually movies) that play at a single showtime. For example, a double feature, a shorts program, or a movie marathon. Your customers buy one ticket and get to watch multiple shows in a row that start at a single specified time.

## How a program differs from a series

A Program involves bundling multiple shows into a single showtime with one ticket, emphasizing a continuous viewing experience. On the other hand, a Series comprises individual showtimes, each with a distinct theme, and tickets are sold separately for each occurrence.

## Pre-entering shows & special events

**Make sure you have the Shows and Special Events for this Program pre-entered**

Adding the Shows and Special Events into the system before creating your Program will make for a quicker set-up, but it is not required. See the articles below if you need help creating these:

- [Here's how to create a Special Event](docId\:JM3TZhvH_d_UUD-VcgY5V)
- [Here's how to add Movies & Shows](docId:-1JamYr5eLwviD70tclA5)

## How to create a program

- **Login to your cinema dashboard**
- Select **Movies**
- Select **Program**
- Select **Add New**
- Enter a **title** for your program
- **Add a description**: Tell customers what your Program is all about in the large text field description box. Add pictures, content about the films and more. It's not necessary to add the movies themselves as those will be populated further down on the page.
- Add a short, one sentence **Excerpt** for your program

## Program details

A breakdown of customizable Program details are here: 

| **Running Time**            | Enter the length, in minutes, for the full run time of this program.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Rating \[Optional]**      | If you have Ratings enabled, select the Rating for this program here. To add Ratings, select Ratings from the side navigation bar.                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Age Policy \[Optional]**  | If you have an Age Policy set, entering an age into this box will override your default Age Policy, which appears on the tickets checkout page.                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Trailer URL \[Optional]** | If you have a trailer URL for this Program, enter it into this field.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| **Start date**              | In the **Coming Soon** box, enter the **Start Date** that your Program will happen on. It is recommended to select **Exact date** to display the exact day the event will happen on. Or, if you prefer, select **Month only** just display the month on your Upcoming Shows page.                                        |
| **Program still**           | The **Program Still** is the wide picture you see in certain parts of the design, like the now playing and featured shows panels, for instance. It's a good idea to add a Still to make sure various parts of the website don't look weird if there's no picture for the program.                                        |
| **Program poster**          | The Program poster is the upright picture you see on the** Coming Soon** page. You can choose to use these posters instead of the wide images for movies currently playing. It's a good idea to add a poster to make sure various parts of the website don't look weird if there's no picture for the program. |



## Adding movies and special events to this program

- Locate the **In This Program** box
- Select the link to **+Add Movies and Events**
- There are two ways to search for your movie or event:
  - In the **Search Movies** box, type in the movie or event name. Once it displays, select the + sign to the left of the name to add it to the Program.
  - On the **list of movies and shows**, use the arrows to select through each page. Select the **+** sign to the left of the name to add it to the Program.
  - When you're ready, select **Publish **to publish your Program. You can always return to this Program page to make changes.

## How to add your program to your website

Your Program(s) will show up in various places on your website. Below are links to articles that can help you add them:

- [Add your Program(s) to a Featured Panel on your homepage](docId\:E8Uqz_DuHF1hamDQiUfzy)
- [Call out your Program(s) in a Block on your homepage](docId:9szzi0Kb8PB7pWjJeEVtK)
- [Create a Programs header on your navigation bar and link to a separate Programs page using the Flexible Template](docId\:utCyZwkWOXtYErRe2oOUw)

## How to promote upcoming programs

### Promotions

Creating a special promotion for a Program can influence customers to purchase tickets. [Here's how to create a promotion](docId:5SYAo1fI9-qRlU0cdVmYP).

### Campaigns

Create a campaign to notify your customers via email about upcoming programs and promotions. [Here's how to create a campaign](docId\:SiFpTAe5BxOeOar-Gka0I).