---
title: Getting Started with MediaBlaster
menu_group: Getting started
menu_order: 1
tab: —
tab_order: 1
summary: MediaBlaster turns WordPress into a media publishing platform — first-time setup and recommended workflow.
---

# Getting Started with MediaBlaster

MediaBlaster turns your WordPress site into a **media publishing platform**. You manage movies, short videos, series, episodes, and podcasts as custom post types, then deliver them to HTML5 players on your website, podcast apps via RSS, and connected devices through the REST API and IPTV-style JSON feeds.

## What you need

- WordPress 6.3 or newer
- PHP 7.4 or newer
- Video files hosted on a CDN or platform that provides direct HLS or MP4 URLs (Vimeo Pro/Business import is available when **Enable Vimeo Integration** is on in General Settings)
- Administrator access to configure plugin settings

## First-time setup checklist

1. **Enable post types** — Go to **MediaBlaster → General Settings** and turn on the content types you need (Movies, Short-form Videos, Series). See [General Settings](general-settings.md).
2. **Add video content** — Create posts under Movies, Short Videos, Episodes, or Series. Fill in the **Video Data** metabox with media URL, duration, and metadata. See [Video Data metabox](metabox-video-data.md).
3. **Connect Vimeo** (optional) — Enable **Vimeo Integration** on General Settings, then connect under **Integrations** and import via the post editor or Mass Import. See [Vimeo OAuth](integrations-vimeo-oauth.md).
4. **Enable Podcasts** (optional) — Turn on **Enable Podcasts** in General Settings to add Podcast Shows and Episodes, RSS feeds, and public pages. See [Podcasts Overview](podcasts.md).

## Typical workflows

### Publish a single video manually

1. Create a **Movie** or **Short Video** post.
2. Enter title, description, and featured image.
3. In **Video Data**, set the **Media URL** (HLS `.m3u8` or MP4), **Duration**, and **Quality**.
4. Save and preview with the `[tv-video-player]` shortcode on a page. See [Shortcodes](shortcodes.md).

### Import from Vimeo

Requires **Enable Vimeo Integration** on General Settings.

1. Connect Vimeo under **MediaBlaster → Integrations**.
2. Configure import preferences under **Vimeo Settings**.
3. Use **Load Video Data** on a post, or bulk-import via **Vimeo Mass Import** (select videos → **Review & Import**). See [Vimeo Mass Import](vimeo-mass-import.md).

### Enable subscriptions (optional)

Subscriptions are hidden until you opt in via `wp-config.php`:

1. Add `define( 'WPST_SUBSCRIPTIONS_ENABLED', true );` to `wp-config.php` and reload wp-admin.
2. Open **MediaBlaster → Subscriptions** to configure tiers, access groups, and Stripe.
3. Subscription guides appear under **MediaBlaster → Docs** once enabled.
4. Add `[wpst_subscribe]` and `[wpst_account]` pages. See [Subscriptions Overview](subscriptions-overview.md).

### Publish podcasts (optional)

Requires **Enable Podcasts** on General Settings.

1. Configure **[Podcast Settings](podcast-settings.md)** — public pages and RSS (save and reload after enabling podcasts).
2. Create a **Podcast Show** under **Podcasts → Add New Podcast**.
3. Fill in show metadata, artwork, and enable **RSS Enabled for This Show**.
4. Add episodes via **Add New Episode** on the show or **Podcasts → Podcast Episodes**.
5. On each episode, set **Episode Media** (audio upload or direct file URL) so RSS enclosures validate.
6. Public episode pages include the [Podcast Audio Player](audio-player.md) automatically; embed elsewhere with `[mediablaster_audio_player id="…"]` or the **MediaBlaster Audio Player** block.
7. Verify the feed at `/podcast-feed/{show-slug}/`. See [Podcast RSS](podcast-rss.md).

## REST API (3.0.0)

MediaBlaster exposes a JSON API for apps and integrations:

```
https://YOUR-SITE.com/wp-json/mediablaster/v3
```

Start with **GET** that URL for discovery links, then see the **REST API** section under **MediaBlaster → Docs**:

- [REST API Overview](rest-api-overview.md)
- [Content API and Fields](rest-api-content.md)
- [Vimeo REST API](rest-api-vimeo.md) (when Vimeo is enabled)
- [Subscriptions and Apps API](rest-api-subscriptions.md) (when subscriptions are enabled)
- [REST API — Podcasts](rest-api-podcasts.md) (when podcasts are enabled)
- [Podcast Audio Player](audio-player.md) (when podcasts are enabled)

## Important notes

- **YouTube is not supported** — YouTube does not provide direct stream URLs required for device playback.
- **Legacy Roku feed** (`/wp-json/tv/roku/`) is removed in 3.0.0 — use the REST content API or export tools instead.
- **Trickplay** is deprecated in 3.0.0 — prefer modern caption formats (WebVTT).

## Where to get help

Use **MediaBlaster → Docs** in your WordPress admin for guides organized by settings page and tab. Subscription guides are listed only when `WPST_SUBSCRIPTIONS_ENABLED` is true. Vimeo guides appear only when **Enable Vimeo Integration** is on in General Settings. Podcast guides appear only when **Enable Podcasts** is on. Field-level help tooltips (hover the label or `?` icon) appear on subscription settings screens when the module is enabled.