# Configuring Channels

*Article Topics:* [*Channels*](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/getting-started/common-topics/channels)*,* [*Member Areas*](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/getting-started/common-topics/member-area)*,* [*CMS Tours*](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/getting-started/common-topics/cms-tours)*,* [*Themes*](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/getting-started/common-topics/themes)

Configuring a Channel can be done in one of two ways: creating a Member Area, which will automatically create a Default Channel for that Member Area, or creating a new Channel directly.&#x20;

## Creating a New Channel

To create a new channel, start by accessing the Content Management Admin in the left-hand navigation. Once there, locate and click on "Channels" from the left-hand navigation menu. This will direct you to the channel management page with a list of channels. Click the "Add New" button in the top-right corner of the page, where you can proceed to set up a new channel. Follow the on-screen instructions to customize and finalize your channel settings according to your requirements.

<figure><img src="https://2232071635-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWJVne6meHqGT8rzsBdod%2Fuploads%2Ffx0J3bNPK1QZWflCC3pR%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c51e8236-78c4-415a-a7df-0d38eb2d1820" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Publishing Sets to a Channel

Once content has been uploaded to your Sets, the set can be published to Channel(s) right away or scheduled for a later date.

After content has been uploaded to your Sets, you have the flexibility to manage its visibility and distribution. You can choose to publish the set to specific Channel(s) immediately, ensuring that it reaches your audience without delay.

&#x20;Alternatively, you can schedule the set for publishing at a later date and time, allowing for strategic timing aligned with your content calendar or audience engagement patterns.

<figure><img src="https://2232071635-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWJVne6meHqGT8rzsBdod%2Fuploads%2F2eow7Qd5O1DfwBbXsGTb%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0dbe38fe-578c-4e7b-b279-d6f263e38d84" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

For more information on Sets and publishing, see the [Managing Sets](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/content-management/sets/managing-sets) article.

## Determining Authorization

When a Member Area is created, a Default Channel is also created, and any sets published there are accessible to all members with access to that area. For tighter control over which members can view specific content, use [Content Rules](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/member-areas-and-tours/member-area-and-tour-details#content-rules). These rules specify the sites, tours, or subscription options a member must have to access the content.&#x20;

For detailed instructions, see the [Channel Details & Settings](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/content-management/channel-details-and-settings#content-rules) article.

## Adding Channels to Themes

To successfully add content to a Members Area or Tour, you need to integrate the appropriate Channel that the sets are published to. This process involves a few simple steps to ensure proper configuration.

**Steps to Add a Channel to a Theme**

1. **Access the Theme Tab:**
   * Navigate to the Theme tab, which is available within the Member Area or Tour.
2. **Locate the Block Defaults Section:**
   * Within the Theme tab, you will find a section labeled "Block Defaults." This section contains essential configurations that impact the default behavior of blocks within a Theme.
3. **Find the Theme's Channel List:**
   * In the Block Defaults section, there is a specific area dedicated to the Theme's Channel List. Here, you can view and select all the channels that are added to the theme in question.
4. **Add the Required Channel:**
   * To add a new channel to the Theme, simply add the channel that matches where your sets are published. This step ensures that all relevant content is visible and accessible within the Member Area or Tour.

<figure><img src="https://2232071635-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWJVne6meHqGT8rzsBdod%2Fuploads%2FZKWYAC92oO4cGBU2UmQ9%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2663d7e4-d221-4557-af0e-a203f949e53d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Themes can hold any number of channels, each with unique content. This setup allows targeting diverse audiences and enhances content management. Each channel can focus on specific genres or topics, maintaining a dynamic and structured content strategy that engages users across platforms.

### Adding Channels to Blocks

You can customize content display by selecting channels at the block level. This feature allows different blocks to showcase content from distinct channels, separate from the theme's default channel list.

#### Steps to Select a Channel

1. **Access Block Settings**: Navigate to the [Block's "Settings"](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/member-areas-and-tours/customizing-your-theme/using-the-page-builder#settings) tab.
2. **Choose Data Source**: Select a block with "Channels" as an available Data Source.
3. **Choose Channels:** Select the Channels with Content Sets published to display on this Block.

**Supported Blocks for Channel Selection**

* [Set List Block](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/content-management/member-areas-and-tours/themes/block-types/set-list-block)
* [Set View Block](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/content-management/member-areas-and-tours/themes/block-types/set-view-block)
* [Model List Block](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/content-management/member-areas-and-tours/themes/block-types/model-list-block)
* [Model View Block](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/content-management/member-areas-and-tours/themes/block-types/model-view-block)
* [Metadata List Block](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/content-management/member-areas-and-tours/themes/block-types/metadata-list-block)

Using this feature, you can tailor the content presentation by configuring each block to display specific channels.

<figure><img src="https://2232071635-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWJVne6meHqGT8rzsBdod%2Fuploads%2Fdo74x4swkTfwVw74HkG9%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=15fbbe52-8e7a-4c6a-b570-4ade7ea912d2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Related Articles

{% content-ref url="../sets/managing-sets/publishing-sets" %}
[publishing-sets](https://docs.toomuchmedia.com/content-management/sets/managing-sets/publishing-sets)
{% endcontent-ref %}
