---
title: When does the Video Minutes usage start?
description: The bandwidth accounting is time-based. It starts whenever someone views your content - whether on your ConnectedTV Apps, with the embedded players on your website, inside your Lightcast Account, on C
---

![company logo](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/test-header.png?height=120&name=test-header.png) 

[Support Center](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/)

- [Open a Support Ticket](https://mediacloud.dev.lightcast.com/support-center/open-ticket)
- <https://help.dev.lightcast.com/kb-tickets/new>
- [Go to Customer Portal](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/tickets)

 Bandwidth Usage (Video Minutes)

- [Getting Started](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/getting-started)
- [Video Guides](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides) 
    - [Subtitles](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#subtitles)
    - [Audio Archive](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#audio-archive)
    - [Sub Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#sub-channels)
    - [Watermarks](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#watermarks)
    - [Video Minutes](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#video-minutes)
    - [Account Settings](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#account-settings)
    - [Workflow Presets](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#workflow-presets)
    - [App Builder](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#app-builder)
    - [Player Customization](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#player-customization)
    - [Pay-Per-View](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#pay-per-view)
    - [Media Stats Center](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#media-stats-center)
    - [Revenue](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#revenue)
    - [Media Groups](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#media-groups)
    - [Video Archive](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#video-archive)
    - [Platforms](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#platforms)
    - [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#miscellaneous)
    - [24/7 Cloud Scheduler](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#24-7-cloud-scheduler)
    - [Live Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#live-channels)
    - [VOD Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#vod-channels)
- [Video on Demand](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand) 
    - [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#miscellaneous)
    - [Sub Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#sub-channels)
    - [Facebook Video Publishing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#facebook-video-publishing)
    - [Trailers](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#trailers)
    - [YouTube Video Publishing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#youtube-video-publishing)
    - [Video Upload](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#video-upload)
    - [Media Groups](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#media-groups)
    - [Closed Captions - Subtitles](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#closed-captions-subtitles)
    - [Video Export](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#video-export)
    - [Scheduled Publishing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#scheduled-publishing)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#troubleshooting)
    - [Watermarks Feature](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#watermarks-feature)
    - [Geo Blocking](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#geo-blocking)
- [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/miscellaneous)
- [Bandwidth Usage (Video Minutes)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/bandwidth-usage-video-minutes)
- [Lightcast API](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-api)
- [Tips Of The Week](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/tips-of-the-week)
- [Audio on Demand](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/audio-on-demand)
- [Release Notes](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/release-notes)
- [Storage & Transcoding](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/storage-transcoding) 
    - [Storage](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/storage-transcoding#storage)
    - [Transcoding](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/storage-transcoding#transcoding)
- [Analytics](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/analytics)
- [Platforms & App Stores](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores) 
    - [Chromecast/Google Cast & Apple AirPlay Publishing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#chromecast-google-cast-apple-airplay-publishing)
    - [AndroidTV](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#androidtv)
    - [Amazon FireTV](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#amazon-firetv)
    - [Mobile Devices/Mobile Apps](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#mobile-devices-mobile-apps)
    - [Podcast Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#podcast-channels)
    - [AppleTV](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#appletv)
    - [WebApp](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#webapp)
    - [General](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#general)
    - [Roku](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#roku)
    - [App Ownership](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#app-ownership)
- [Live Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming) 
    - [LIVE-to-VOD](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#live-to-vod)
    - [Simulated Live](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#simulated-live)
    - [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#miscellaneous)
    - [Toubleshooting](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#toubleshooting)
    - [VOD-to-LIVE](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#vod-to-live)
    - [Facebook Live Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#facebook-live-streaming)
    - [YouTube Live Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#youtube-live-streaming)
    - [Live Encoder / Encoder Settings](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#live-encoder-encoder-settings)
    - [Multi-Bitrate Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#multi-bitrate-streaming)
    - [Pay-per-View (PPV) for Live Events](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#pay-per-view-ppv-for-live-events)
    - [Livestream DVR](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#livestream-dvr)
- [24/7 Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/24-7-streaming) 
    - [24/7 Cloud Scheduler](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/24-7-streaming#24-7-cloud-scheduler)
    - [Linear Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/24-7-streaming#linear-streaming)
- [Lightcast DRM](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-drm)
- [Code Authentication](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/code-authentication)
- [Payment & Billing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/payment-billing)
- [Video Advertising (AVOD/ALIVE)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-advertising-avod-alive) 
    - [Publishers](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-advertising-avod-alive#publishers)
    - [General](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-advertising-avod-alive#general)
    - [Advertisers](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-advertising-avod-alive#advertisers)
- [Lightcast EasyPay](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-easypay) 
    - [Lightcast EasyPay for Subscription Content (SVOD/SLIVE)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-easypay#lightcast-easypay-for-subscription-content-svod-slive)
    - [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-easypay#miscellaneous)
    - [Lightcast EasyPay for Donations](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-easypay#lightcast-easypay-for-donations)
- [Lightcast Academy](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-academy) 
    - [Account Training](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-academy#account-training)
- [Subscription System (SVOD/SLIVE)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/subscription-system-svod-slive)
- [Pay-Per-View (PPV)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/pay-per-view-ppv)
- [Media Player](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player) 
    - [General](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player#general)
    - [Player Embed Tool](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player#player-embed-tool)
    - [Player Sharing Feature](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player#player-sharing-feature)
    - [Player Configurator](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player#player-configurator)

[Back to home](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/)

1. [Support Center](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/)
2. Bandwidth Usage (Video Minutes)

- [Getting Started](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/getting-started)
- [Video Guides](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides) 
    - [Subtitles](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#subtitles)
    - [Audio Archive](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#audio-archive)
    - [Sub Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#sub-channels)
    - [Watermarks](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#watermarks)
    - [Video Minutes](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#video-minutes)
    - [Account Settings](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#account-settings)
    - [Workflow Presets](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#workflow-presets)
    - [App Builder](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#app-builder)
    - [Player Customization](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#player-customization)
    - [Pay-Per-View](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#pay-per-view)
    - [Media Stats Center](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#media-stats-center)
    - [Revenue](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#revenue)
    - [Media Groups](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#media-groups)
    - [Video Archive](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#video-archive)
    - [Platforms](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#platforms)
    - [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#miscellaneous)
    - [24/7 Cloud Scheduler](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#24-7-cloud-scheduler)
    - [Live Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#live-channels)
    - [VOD Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-guides#vod-channels)
- [Video on Demand](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand) 
    - [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#miscellaneous)
    - [Sub Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#sub-channels)
    - [Facebook Video Publishing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#facebook-video-publishing)
    - [Trailers](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#trailers)
    - [YouTube Video Publishing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#youtube-video-publishing)
    - [Video Upload](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#video-upload)
    - [Media Groups](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#media-groups)
    - [Closed Captions - Subtitles](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#closed-captions-subtitles)
    - [Video Export](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#video-export)
    - [Scheduled Publishing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#scheduled-publishing)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#troubleshooting)
    - [Watermarks Feature](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#watermarks-feature)
    - [Geo Blocking](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-on-demand#geo-blocking)
- [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/miscellaneous)
- [Bandwidth Usage (Video Minutes)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/bandwidth-usage-video-minutes)
- [Lightcast API](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-api)
- [Tips Of The Week](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/tips-of-the-week)
- [Audio on Demand](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/audio-on-demand)
- [Release Notes](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/release-notes)
- [Storage & Transcoding](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/storage-transcoding) 
    - [Storage](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/storage-transcoding#storage)
    - [Transcoding](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/storage-transcoding#transcoding)
- [Analytics](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/analytics)
- [Platforms & App Stores](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores) 
    - [Chromecast/Google Cast & Apple AirPlay Publishing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#chromecast-google-cast-apple-airplay-publishing)
    - [AndroidTV](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#androidtv)
    - [Amazon FireTV](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#amazon-firetv)
    - [Mobile Devices/Mobile Apps](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#mobile-devices-mobile-apps)
    - [Podcast Channels](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#podcast-channels)
    - [AppleTV](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#appletv)
    - [WebApp](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#webapp)
    - [General](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#general)
    - [Roku](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#roku)
    - [App Ownership](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/platforms-app-stores#app-ownership)
- [Live Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming) 
    - [LIVE-to-VOD](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#live-to-vod)
    - [Simulated Live](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#simulated-live)
    - [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#miscellaneous)
    - [Toubleshooting](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#toubleshooting)
    - [VOD-to-LIVE](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#vod-to-live)
    - [Facebook Live Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#facebook-live-streaming)
    - [YouTube Live Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#youtube-live-streaming)
    - [Live Encoder / Encoder Settings](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#live-encoder-encoder-settings)
    - [Multi-Bitrate Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#multi-bitrate-streaming)
    - [Pay-per-View (PPV) for Live Events](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#pay-per-view-ppv-for-live-events)
    - [Livestream DVR](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/live-streaming#livestream-dvr)
- [24/7 Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/24-7-streaming) 
    - [24/7 Cloud Scheduler](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/24-7-streaming#24-7-cloud-scheduler)
    - [Linear Streaming](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/24-7-streaming#linear-streaming)
- [Lightcast DRM](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-drm)
- [Code Authentication](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/code-authentication)
- [Payment & Billing](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/payment-billing)
- [Video Advertising (AVOD/ALIVE)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-advertising-avod-alive) 
    - [Publishers](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-advertising-avod-alive#publishers)
    - [General](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-advertising-avod-alive#general)
    - [Advertisers](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/video-advertising-avod-alive#advertisers)
- [Lightcast EasyPay](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-easypay) 
    - [Lightcast EasyPay for Subscription Content (SVOD/SLIVE)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-easypay#lightcast-easypay-for-subscription-content-svod-slive)
    - [Miscellaneous](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-easypay#miscellaneous)
    - [Lightcast EasyPay for Donations](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-easypay#lightcast-easypay-for-donations)
- [Lightcast Academy](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-academy) 
    - [Account Training](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/lightcast-academy#account-training)
- [Subscription System (SVOD/SLIVE)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/subscription-system-svod-slive)
- [Pay-Per-View (PPV)](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/pay-per-view-ppv)
- [Media Player](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player) 
    - [General](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player#general)
    - [Player Embed Tool](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player#player-embed-tool)
    - [Player Sharing Feature](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player#player-sharing-feature)
    - [Player Configurator](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/media-player#player-configurator)

# When does the Video Minutes usage start?

The bandwidth accounting is time-based. It starts whenever someone views your content - whether on your ConnectedTV Apps, with the embedded players on your website, inside your Lightcast Account, on [CROSS.TV](http://www.cross.tv/)<http://www.cross.tv/>or any other outlet you publish to. This means that your video minutes will only be deducted when someone views your content.

The minimum Video Minutes deduction is a minute, meaning a view of just seconds is counted as a minute. The actual time viewed will be multiplied by bandwidth progression factors, such as x5 for live-streams between 4 and 5 Mbit. More information on bandwidth progressions at: [https://help.lightcast.com/what-is-the-bandwidth-accounting-progression-key](https://help.lightcast.com/what-is-the-bandwidth-accounting-progression-key)

 If your VOD/LIVE/AUDIO Channels in you Media Cloud are shown as offline, or your Video Minute balance is below zero (0), Lightcast won't just turn off your Publishing Properties but we continue to deliver feeds to selected OTT/ConnectedTV properties, such your TV Apps, in order to prevent them from being removed and banned from app stores. 

  

 More information about this subject can be found here: [https://help.lightcast.com/why-do-my-channels-still-consume-video-minutes-although-i-deactivated-them](https://help.lightcast.com/why-do-my-channels-still-consume-video-minutes-although-i-deactivated-them)

[![company logo](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled-2.png?height=120&name=Untitled-2.png)](https://mediacloud.lightcast.com)

- [![facebook_social_link_icon_alt_text](https://static.hsstatic.net/TemplateAssets/static-1.329/img/hs_default_template_images/modules/Follow+Me+-+Email/facebook_circle_color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/lightcastinc)
- [![twitter_social_link_icon_alt_text](https://static.hsstatic.net/TemplateAssets/static-1.329/img/hs_default_template_images/modules/Follow+Me+-+Email/twitter_circle_color.png)](https://twitter.com/lightcast_inc)
- [![linkedin_social_link_icon_alt_text](https://static.hsstatic.net/TemplateAssets/static-1.329/img/hs_default_template_images/modules/Follow+Me+-+Email/linkedin_circle_color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightcast/)

- [Open a Support Ticket](https://mediacloud.dev.lightcast.com/support-center/open-ticket)
- <https://help.dev.lightcast.com/kb-tickets/new>
- [Go to Customer Portal](https://help.dev.lightcast.com/tickets)