±«Óătv

Publicity

Publicity materials are part of the required deliverables for a programme

Publicity materials are part of the required deliverables for a programme and are listed on the Commissioning specification and the delivery timeline. ±«Óătv Publicity will inform productions if additional publicity materials are required. All productions must deliver the following assets:

Stills

Clips: what to deliver

Productions must deliver at least:

  • One extract clip per episode taken from the broadcast programme
  • One extract clip to represent the whole series taken from the broadcast programme. (Not required for Children’s)
  • Supporting information per clip (see section below)

This is the minimum requirement and more content can be delivered if desired.

Where used, these programme clips will appear in perpetuity, be playable internationally, and embeddable off-site on relevant platforms. However, if rights don’t allow for this they can be removed at a speciïŹed date. They may also be shared with press and publicity teams for external use on broadcast channels or online outlets, in line with programme publicity.

Clips must:

  • be taken from the final delivered version of the programme.
  • be approximately one - two minutes in length. (This is guidance and is not intended to be prescriptive, but clips tend to work best within this range.)
  • be delivered clean, and ready to publish ie no clocks/bars & tones at the front, no opening titles, credit sequences, branding or channel graphics/DOGs or end boards.
  • have care taken to edit clean in-and-out points. Note there is no in-house facility to edit/re-cut
  • do not need to be pre-watershed
  • do not need black at the front or end

Some programmes may be exempt from programme clip delivery requirements (including live programmes) and production will be informed in such cases. As a general rule clips are not required for daytime programmes, however productions may be asked to deliver one series clip or one clip per transmission week, and clips are not usually required for ±«Óătv Three or Children's but this may be discussed as part of the commissioning process.

±«Óătv Studios should discuss clip requirements with the relevant Head of Production, or the Head of Production Operations within ±«Óătv Studios.

Clips: editorial specification

Programme clips should standalone, both as a preview of a programme but also a ‘best bit’. They should be representative of the programme and tell a story in their own right. They should be short, attention grabbing from the start and maintain interest throughout. Clips must not include spoilers, unless intended to publish post-TX.

Clip selection should be discussed with your commissioning editor before delivery.

  • Drama: A standalone, shareable clip showcasing a dramatic point in the programme. Something to create anticipation at a plotline happening in the programme.
  • Factual: A short, standalone clip showcasing an interesting point in the programme. It could be a small fact that would be of interest and encourage the viewer to watch more or even share the clip more widely.
  • Comedy: A standalone clip that highlights a funny moment, either verbal or visual. Something likely to create buzz on social media, that will encourage viewers to want to watch more.
  • Entertainment: A short, standalone clip showcasing a stand out moment in the programme. This could be a section of a musical performance, a strong take away from an interview or a funny moment. It should not give away any spoilers or results.
  • Daytime: As a general rule clips are not usually required for daytime programmes but productions may be contacted to deliver one series clip or one clip per transmission week.

Clips: clearance

All programme clips should be cleared for publishing on bbc.co.uk and bbc.com (for example programme websites) as well as social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Programme clips containing music or archive footage should also be cleared for all platforms. Production must inform the shortform video team if there are any issues with this publishing arrangement, and/or if there are embargoes on publishing dates and times.

Clips: delivery and technical specifications

Programme clips should be delivered on your delivery date, or at least 10 days before, whichever is sooner so they can serve as a preview’ of a programme ahead of broadcast.

Clip supporting information must be provided for each delivered clip. See separate section.

For clips from programmes that have required large scale input from ±«Óătv Editorial Policy, legal or other dedicated ±«Óătv teams, indies should notify the short-form video team that they are delivering clips at the point of delivery.

Please flag to the shortform video team any clips featuring strong language which require separate referral and approval via the ±«Óătv’s editorial chain. Strong language requires mandatory guidance labelling; other content may need mandatory referrals, and other labelling may be required.

For topical programmes or late deliveries, clips should be delivered as soon as realistically possible.

For all Network programmes

(Excluding Children’s)

Send files via the . Please contact the short-form video team for a TMO shortform Media Shuttle account.  

Clip name should be: Programme Title, Episode Number (if applicable), UID and Clip Number (or Name) 

  • Container should be either QuickTime (.mov) or MPEG-4 (.mp4)
  • 1920 x 1080 pixels in an aspect ratio of 16:9
  • 25 frames per second (50 fields) interlaced – known as 1080i/25, top field first
  • colour sub-sampled at a ratio of 4:2:2
  • colour space – ITU-R BT.709
  • video codec – H.264
  • video data rate – 50Mbps (minimum)
  • audio sample rate – 48kHz
  • audio sample depth – 24-bit
  • audio codec – AAC
  • audio data rate – 320kb

For Children’s:

Where clips are requested send to ±«Óătv Asset Delivery Co-ordinator via .

  • Clip name should be: Programme Title, Episode Number (if applicable), UID and Clip Number (or Name)
  • The container format should be: MXF or QuickTime (.mov) with an embedded timecode track (no timecode in vision)
  • Video: Bit rate/quality: 30Mbps CBR minimum Codec: H.264
  • Frame size: 1920x1080 (square pixels) Scan type: 50i (as broadcast standard) Audio: Codec: AAC
  • Channels: Stereo Bit rate: 320 kbps
  • Sample rate: 48 KHz Sample depth: 24 bit

 

Clips: supporting information

The following information must be provided for each programme clip via email at time of delivery.

Send to the short-form video team.

  • Programme clip name (per delivery requirements)
  • Programme title/series no
  • Episode number/UID
  • A 90 character clip description
  • Senior production sign off (at producer level or above)
  • Name of commissioning editor
  • Please confirm that the content has been watched in full and is signed off as compliant with the ±«Óătv's Editorial Guidelines and Online Guidelines.

Clip compliance form

Programme clips destined for publication online that are extracts taken directly from a broadcast programme do not require a clip compliance form.

For content which is not an extract from a broadcast programme an online short-form compliance form is required.

Information about complying standalone online content not taken directly from a broadcast programme can be found on the Compliance page.

 

Billing form

The Billing form provides information for the following:

  • Final transmission/iPlayer schedules
  • Text for ±«Óătv iPlayer
  • Text for digital programme guides and listings magazines

Download the  for expert tips on how to get the most out of your billings information. All wording should be pre-approved by the ±«Óătv commissioning editor in advance of delivery.

All wording should be pre-approved by the ±«Óătv commissioning editor in advance of delivery.

The billings due date is normally 16 days before the beginning of the transmission/iPlayer release week. (This is subject to change, please refer to the timetable below for details.)

Billings delivered in good time will help publicity and promotion of your programme. Without a Silvermouse billing, programmes are given a generic billing. This may negatively impact iPlayer promotion.

Where the final schedule slot/iPlayer release date has not yet been confirmed, productions can submit billing forms without the transmission time completed.

Billings are accepted at any date up to the press day deadline of 2.30pm (which is generally 10 days before the beginning of the transmission/iPlayer release week). Subsequent revisions are also accepted up to this date. Additional or revised billings received after this date are unlikely to appear in print, but can appear on iPlayer.

Download Billing due dates for specific dates from the A-Z.

Visit the contacts page to find technical and non-technical support contacts and training resources for Silvermouse.

Programme material for trails

If the programme is to be promoted through Television trails then additional materials may be requested by ±«Óătv Marketing ahead of programme transmission. The ±«Óătv will inform the production in advance if specific materials are needed for the production of a trail. The content requested may vary depending on the nature of the programme and when it is due to deliver. 

Marketing requirements may include (but are not limited to): 

  • Offline rushes and rough cuts of episodes for viewing purposes
  • Broadcast quality graded rushes: source of 'clean' sound and uncaptioned pictures (four – six weeks ahead of programme transmission)
  • Access to set and talent/artists for filming during production
  • A version of the complete programme (often before its sound dub)

It is the production's responsibility to then provide the agreed additional materials for trails.

Promotional preview copy

One copy of the full programme on digital video file (MPEG4) should be uploaded directly to the  using the ±«Óătv Previews Media Shuttle. For more information, Media Shuttle set up and any other queries regarding delivery please email the ±«Óătv Previews team. Using an encoding program called MPEG Streamclip is recommended.

  • File type: MP4 only
  • Compression/Codec: H.264
  • Data rate: Minimum 800kbps - Maximum 1.5 Mbps.
  • Sound: MPEG-4 AAC, Stereo, Auto, maximum 160kbps (or other compatible MPEG-4 audio)
  • Frame size: always 16/9 – 640 x 360
  • Enable ‘Fast streaming’/’fast start’/’quick streaming’

When ready to upload:

  • Uploaded files named as follows: ProgrammeName_ep# (eg EastEnders_ep1) NOT FD38429389/01
  • Titles should also include the series number ie S4 (series four)
  • Titles should not be too long and can be abbreviated where necessary

Production script

Production scripts are useful for subtitling purposes and when available should be emailed to the ±«Óătv Access Services team on the delivery date, or in advance of this date if possible. 

Please inform the Access Services team if a script will be available, even if it is not available immediately. Other information such as running orders may also be useful, please contact the team for further advice. 

Independent production companies making programmes for the ±«Óătv can use the package ScriptWriter 3 to create production scripts, free of charge. Please ensure everyone working on a script is using the same version of the software to avoid problems.

Email ScriptWriter Requests to request the software, user guides and terms and conditions.

 

Children's promotional assets

In addition to the stills and clips requirements, productions for ±«Óătv Children’s are contractually obligated to deliver all of the following assets for each series they deliver, unless agreed otherwise. These will be available to ±«Óătv Public Service for the life of the brand on ±«Óătv channels/iPlayer for use on various audience facing platforms.

Find contacts for Children’s delivery

 

What to deliver per series

Asset

Format

Details

Airing order

.xlsx

List of episode titles, airing order and UID provided on Excel spreadsheet emailed to Asset Delivery Coordinator.

Logo

.psd or .ai

As a layered .psd or .ai (.ai preferable)

Theme music (lyrics and instrumental)

.wav

The complete theme music of the programme. If theme music contains lyrics these must be supplied in a separate Word document and the instrumental version delivered in addition to the above.

Title sequence

.mov

The edited title sequence cut from programme.

Title sequence graphic elements (if applicable)

.psd / .jpg /.png

Any graphic elements included in title sequence.

Style guide

.psd / .jpg /.png

Include backgrounds, colour schemes and rules. The distinct imagery that makes your show stand out and also tells you about the genre, include also fonts, text styles etc.

Fonts

.ttf /.otf/JPEG (4K)

For main logo and subtitles if applicable.

Character/presenter profiles

.Docx

An overview of characters/presenters.

 

Animation productions must also deliver (per series) 

Asset

Format

Details

Sound effects/key phrases

.wav

Any strong key phrases specific to programme/series AND/OR any sound effects specific to programme.

Backplates

.jpg (4K)

Clean (ie without cast) back-plates of key locations/sets.

Live action productions must also deliver (per series)

Per video please supply:

  • Video title
  • Video description
  • Video compliance and SEO tags
  • Video thumbnail image and brand template
  • Video rights reporting: Music, stock footage, images
  • Video transcript for subtitles
  • Upload and expiry dates
  • Delivery Format: H.264 - 1080HD YouTube
  • Geo Locking information
  • Brand 07'' to 10'’ BRAND END-BOARD / Wipes – Delivered at the end of each video and separately for bespoke content if needed 

 

How to deliver

Access is required to upload via the Delivery to Children’s Asset Library in Media Shuttle. Email your Asset Delivery Coordinator with full names and email addresses of persons who require access and follow the instructions on the automated email to activate your account.

For Children’s commissions all assets must be delivered via the Children’s Asset Library in Media Shuttle. For access to the Children’s Asset Library in Media Shuttle, please email your ±«Óătv Asset Delivery Co-ordinator with the full names and email addresses of the people who require access. Then please follow the instructions on the automated email to activate your account.

Once productions have sent their asset files via the Media Shuttle they will receive an automated email that states ‘Your content was successfully delivered to the portal for processing’. This indicates that the content is ready for processing, not that it has been successfully processed and is therefore not an accepted form of delivery confirmation.

Files must:

  • Be uploaded as individual files (not in folders, not compressed)
  • Meet the technical specification outlined above
  • Be delivered with the correct naming convention. Please see below.

File naming convention:

All files must be in the correct naming convention to be successfully processed, and failure to do this could result in missed delivery and may have a financial impact.

The naming convention for your production will be confirmed by your Asset Delivery Coordinator.

The naming convention tool (Excel) can assist in creating filenames quickly and in bulk (link)

Find contacts for Children’s delivery

 

Additional requirements

Additional requirements typically include:

  • Production notes or a press kit comprising:
  • full cast list
  • full crew list
  • short synopsis (two to three paragraphs)
  • long synopsis (two to three pages)
  • location/interview production notes
  • biographies of principal cast and key crew
  • Key publicity contact address list

Additional requirements may also include (and always required for ±«Óătv Three): 

  • Alternative (split-track) audio mixes delivered as BWF (sometimes called ‘B-WAV’) files. .

Additional requirements for Network drama may also include:

Additional requirement for programme acquisitions may also include:

  • One translation script

Please note: some of this additional information will already be captured on the programme billings form.

 

Programme websites

Every ±«Óătv programme has its own webpage on  which is automatically created seven days prior to the programme transmission. These are sometimes referred to as programme pages or programme websites. These are populated using the standard set of publicity clips and stills listed on this page and only need to be delivered once via the methods detailed above.  

 

±«Óătv press office

Contact the ±«Óătv Press Office:

(020 7) 765 5900

press.office@bbc.co.uk

Or via the .  

 


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