Regions Covered
✔ Longform Teleshopping - UK/ROI
To maintain a consistently high quality product, XR requires all material to be supplied to the following specifications:
Requirements at a glance
| Unique identifier(s): |
For the UK, a clock number (e.g. ADV/PROD01/1800) is assigned during the Clearcast clearance process. The same format can be used for Ireland. |
| Pre/post roll: | Yes |
| HD/SD: | HD |
| Audio: | EBU R.128-2014 |
| Clearance: | Clearcast (UK) or directly with the broadcaster (ROI), see Clearance for more information. |
Content Layout
Countdown Clock
A slate is mandatory, it should display a countdown starting at 10 and the following information:
Clock must be mute
If there is any audio present on the countdown clock, the file will fail QC
File Specification
| Format | XDCAM 1080/50 |
| Container | MOV or MXF |
| Video Codec | XDCAM 422 |
| GOP | Long GOP |
| Profile | MPEG-2 422P@HL |
| Frame Size | 1920x1080 |
| Frame Rate | 25 FPS |
| Scan Type | Interlaced, Upper/Top Field First |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Pixel Aspect Ratio | Square Pixels (1.0) |
| Video Bit Rate | 50Mb/s CBR |
| Chroma | 4:2:2 |
| Audio Codec | Integer (Big/Little Endian) PCM |
| Audio Bit Depth | 24bit |
| Audio Sample Rate | 48kHz |
| Audio Bit Rate | Uncompressed |
Title Safety
EBU R.95-1
All graphics, text, and frame composition elements should be placed within the safe title area to prevent key content from being cut off.
Video Levels
All video signals should comply with ITU-R BT.709-5 and video signals should not exceed the specified limits.
Video levels should not exceed 700mV, or fall below 0mv
Luminance (Y) -1% and 103%
(between -7mV and 721mV)
RGB video levels -5% and 105%
(between -35mV and 735mV)
Out of gamut tolerance
Whilst XR and the Broadcasters will reject illegal video levels, they understand there may be instances where it is difficult to completely avoid. Following EBU recommendation Rec.103-2000 they will therefore allow a small tolerance, assuming that no more than 1% of the active picture is in error.
Audio Levels
The loudness level of the programme material must be in agreement with the EBU R128-2014 directive, including the following delivery specifications:
EBU R.128-2014
- Integrated Loudness** Program : -23 LUFS
- Target Level Tolerance : +/- 0.5 LU
- Maximum True Peak : -1dBTP
- Maximum Momentary : No Limitations
- Maximum Short Term Momentary (3 Sec) : -18 LUF
- Loudness Range : No Limitations
**'Integrated Loudness' is the definition for the target of the 'Programme Loudness' stated in metres in conformity with EBU Tech 3341.
Although the maximum true peak is -1dBTP, it is recommended by the broadcasters that the true peak should not exceed -3dBTP.
IMPORTANT Notes Regarding Audio Silence
• For the UK there must be a MINIMUM of 6 frames of audio silence at the start and end of the commercial
• Digital silence should achieve a recommended level not exceeding -70dBFS.
• Trace audio within the first or last 6 frames is a QC fail.
Audio Channel Configurations
| Channel # | Audio |
| 1 | Stereo Left |
| 2 | Stereo Right |
Subtitles/Captions
Subtitles/Closed Captions for the hard of hearing can be added to your commercials for an additional fee. Please get in touch if you would like more information.
Audio Description
Audio Description (AD) makes content more accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. If you wish to supply your own AD, please refer to Audio Channel Configurations for the correct channel layout.
For further information, take a look at the UK & ROI Audio Description FAQs
Clearance
Do you need help with clearance or regulatory compliance?
XR's Campaign Services teams can assist you! Please reach out to your local team for more information, additional fees apply.
Clearcast is the clearance body for TV ads in the UK. They review all commercials to ensure they follow the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (the BCAP Code), before they are shown on television.
There are a few stages to the clearance process so it's important to allow plenty of time for this .
Did you know you can send your ad to Clearcast for final approval via the XR platform?
Save yourself time and effort by creating one file for final Clearcast approval and delivery to broadcasters via XR. See Sending to Clearcast via XR for more info.
Other Important Information
Some destinations can only accept specific durations, please take care to select the correct one when placing your order.
Owing to the size of longform files, slower internet connection speeds might not be able to handle uploading to Media Manager. Please contact your local team to discuss alternative options. Please note that if you are uploading to the XR FTP server, files are automatically removed after 3 weeks.
Longform orders have longer Service Level Agreements, please get in touch for more details.
Quality Checks for longform comprise of a fully automated check confirming compliance to the above specifications, followed by a limit manual QC Operator review:
- Full QC of the clock and first 10 minutes of the commercial
- Incremental spot checking every 5 minutes for a period of 30 seconds.
- Full QC of the last minute of the commercial