Creative delivery process

Three distinct processes for the Client, Agency or Creative Agency to follow. Which one applies depends on whether UK BVOD (Channel 4) is included in the campaign mix, and whether the advertiser is a streaming or entertainment brand.

Creative and rotation instructions are needed 10 working days before the campaign goes live.

Find your route

CTV (SVOD, AVOD, FAST)

3 steps · no Clearcast required

What you deliver

1 file

Broadlab CTV

HDNo slate

Send to Broadlab

The process

Client, Agency or Creative Agency

Step 1Before you produce

Publisher restrictions: Meeting the technical spec doesn't guarantee acceptance — publishers may apply their own creative policies
Some publishers restrict overlays, interactive elements or specific messaging
Policies are broadly aligned but vary by platform and can change over time
QR codes: let us know at briefing. Some publishers, including Netflix, don't allow QR codes, so a version without one may be needed
Industries commonly subject to extra restrictions: Gambling·Food & drink high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS)·Film releases with age restrictions·Pharmaceuticals
Time-limited offers & prices: Copy that mentions a price or a time-limited offer (e.g. a discount ending on a set date) is fine to run
Once the offer ends, publishers may stop delivering that copy, so plan a replacement copy to rotate in from the end date
Unsure?: Speak to your Broadlab contact before production — we'll advise during planning

Step 2Produce to spec

Universal Technical Specification

Export to the Universal Technical Specification (MP4, H.264, 1920×1080, 15–40 Mbps, etc.)
No Clearcast approval needed for CTV-only supply
Copy lengths accepted: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 90 or 120 seconds, (exactly, with 3 decimal places as zeros, ie 30.000s)
Check publisher and industry restrictions before production (see Step 1: Before you produce)
Using a QR code or a non-standard ad format? Flag it at briefing, as some publishers (including Netflix) don't accept QR codes

CTV Universal Technical Specification

Step 3Deliver to Broadlab→ Broadlab

WeTransfer, Dropbox or similar

Deliver via WeTransfer, Dropbox, Peach GO (now Cape.io Check & Go) or other large file sharing platform to Creative@Broadlab.tv
Email rotation instructions to Creative@Broadlab.tv
1x1 tracking pixels accepted — flag any verification/measurement tags for discussion

Deadline: creative and rotation instructions are needed 10 working days before the campaign goes live.

CTV Universal Technical Specification

File transfer

WeTransfer

Technical specifications

Two specifications cover every route. Deliver to the CTV universal spec for Broadlab supply, and to the broadcast master spec for Clearcast submission.

CTV Universal Technical Specification

Broadlab CTV supply · MP4 delivery

Container	MP4
Video codec	H.264
Resolution	1920 × 1080
Aspect ratio	16:9
Pixel aspect ratio	Square pixels (1.0)
Frame rate	24fps (true), 25fps, 30fps (Constant CFR)
Scan type	Progressive
Video bitrate	15–40 Mbps
Audio codec	AAC or PCM
Audio channels	Stereo (2-channel)
Audio sample rate	48 kHz
Audio bitrate	Minimum 192 kbps
Loudness	-24 LKFS ±2, Peaks ≤ -2 dBFS
Moov atom	At the beginning of the file (fast start)
AV sync	Audio and video durations must match
File size	Maximum 500 MB
Accepted durations	10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 90 or 120 seconds, (exactly, with 3 decimal places as zeros, ie 30.000s)

17 fields · Broadlab technical specification

Broadcast master (Final TVC) spec

Clearcast submission · MOV delivery

Clock status	Required (burnt-in timecode)
Slate	10 second slate at the head of the file
Container	ProRes (.mov) or MXF
Video codec	Apple ProRes 422 HQ or XDCAM HD 422
Resolution	1920 × 1080
Audio codec	PCM, uncompressed

6 fields · Broadlab technical specification