---
title: Subscription Access Metabox
menu_group: Content editor
menu_order: 60
tab: Subscription Access
tab_order: 50
summary: Gate individual videos by tier, access group, trials, and feed visibility.
requires_subscriptions: true
---

# Subscription Access Metabox

**Location:** Post editor sidebar, below Featured Image, on premium-capable post types when subscriptions are enabled

Control who can watch each video and how unauthorized viewers experience locked content.

## Prerequisites

- Subscriptions enabled via `WPST_SUBSCRIPTIONS_ENABLED` in `wp-config.php` (see [General Settings](general-settings.md))

## Fields

| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| **Access level** | Free, any subscriber, specific tier, or specific access group |
| **Required tier** | When access level is tier-specific, choose the plan |
| **Required access group** | When access level is group-specific, choose the bundle |
| **Allow trial access** | Let trialing subscribers watch this item |
| **Hide from public feeds** | Exclude from JSON feeds even if published |
| **Unauthorized behavior** | Show locked message vs hide completely (overrides site default) |

Defaults for new posts come from [Subscriptions General](subscriptions-general.md).

## Feed and player behavior

- `[mediablaster_player]` and `[tv-video-player]` respect entitlements — non-subscribers see a locked player overlay (poster + subscribe/login message) or nothing when **Hide completely** is configured.
- Playable video URLs are never output in HTML when access is denied.
- Public Roku feed is unchanged unless **Apply subscription rules to legacy IPTV feeds** is enabled globally.

## Workflow example

1. Create a **Premium** access group with sports content.
2. Link the group to a **Sports** tier.
3. On each sports video, set access level to that group or tier.
4. Subscribers on the Sports tier can play; others see the locked state.

## Related guides

- [Subscriptions Overview](subscriptions-overview.md)
- [Access Groups](subscriptions-access-groups.md)
- [Shortcodes](shortcodes.md)
