AD SPECS

Pivot offers custom creative and effective ad formats that engage conscious consumers and connect them to socially conscious brands.

Broadcast Specs

Digital Delivery Procedure

Pivot Delivery Materials

Master files delivered to Pivot must adhere to the Master Format Specs detailed below. Files delivered to Pivot undergo a precertification process to ensure that the structural integrity (codec, aspect ratio, frame rate, etc.) and quality control issues (artifacts, freeze frames, volume) meet broadcast standards. In the event of file rejection, producers will be sent a report and are required to correct rejected files before the program is accepted for air.

Additional Media Deliverables

Note that all media should be delivered as electronic files (with the exception of screeners) via pivot’s hosted FTP, details to be provided during the precertification process.

Additional Media Deliverables include:

  • Split tracks of the program delivered as unique .AAIF files.
    1. Music with Stems - one file containing all music elements and stems.
    2. Effects - one file containing all sound effects.
    3. Dialogue - one file containing all dialogue.
    4. Narration/VO - one file containing all narration (if applicable).
  • One version of the master in QuickTime ProRes 422 HQ 1920x1080 in the show’s native frame rate with uncompressed, PCM, 24bit, 48kHz audio in the following layout:
    1. Ch1: Stereo Full Mix Left.
    2. Ch2: Stereo Full Mix Right.
    3. Ch3: Stereo M&E Left.
    4. Ch4: Stereo M&E Right.
  • Textless version of the master following Air Master MXF format.
  • Key art.
  • Any logos as stand alone vector graphics in an EPS format.
  • High Res still images (300 dpi resolution) cleared for all media including print.
  • Press kit.
  • Short synopsis (maximum 250 characters).
  • Long synopsis (maximum 2000 characters).
  • Keywords (Minimum of 5, no maximum).
  • Cast List.
  • Cast Bios.
  • As Broadcast Script.
  • Final credit list.
  • Music cue sheet.
  • Electronic cut sheet.
  • Source Tape Log (for content originating on tape formats).

DELIVERY OVERVIEW

  • All broadcast masters and additional deliverables must be uploaded to Participant’s Aspera server.
  • Please contact Media Operations for assistance with setting up your Aspera connection.
  • Please note that we will not accept third party download links (e.g. Hightail, Dropbox, WeTransfer, Vimeo) due to security issues.

TEST FILE

  • To ensure proper delivery of the final masters, we require a test of one file (minimum continuous five minutes of sync sound and picture) to ensure the production’s ability to meet Pivot’s technical specs.
  • This test file must be delivered through Aspera.
  • In the event of file rejection, producers will be sent a report and are required to correct and redeliver rejected files.

FINAL DELIVERY

  • Once the test file has passed quality control and has been approved you may move forward with delivery of all master files through the Aspera connection.
  • Upon completion of each upload, please notify Media Operations and your Pivot executive via email of the delivery.
  • Only in the event of delivery issues related to the Aspera connection, Pivot will accept a hard drive delivery.
CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any technical questions or require assistance with the delivery process, please contact Media Operations at:

media@participant.com

Master Format Specs

File detailS

  • One asset per file.
  • No bars/tone, black, slates! or countdowns!
  • Active video starts at 01:00:00;00. Programs ending with any fade or dissolve should end on a frame of black.
  • All contents of file will playout on air.
  • File name should be <HOUSE#>.mxf (example HS000123.mxf).
  • File names may only consist of uppercase alphanumeric values (A…Z, 0…9). No other characters or spaces are allowed.

VIDEO SPECS

  •  OP1a MXF Container conforming with XDCAM HD422 specifications (per SMPTE RDDX9).
  • MPEGX2 Video.
    1. a) 1920x1080i at 29.97fps.
    2. b) 4:2:2 Chroma.
    3. c) 50 Mbps CBR.
    4. d) Long GOP (12 frame).
  • Closed Captions must be formatted as per EIAX708XB specs, and be embedded as a SMPTE 436M track. Converting EIAX 608 closed captions and placing the valid closed captions data packets in both the 608 and 708 data space is acceptable.
  • NTSC Drop-Frame time code, continuous.

AUDIO SPECS

  • 8 Channels of Audio.
    1. 24 bit depth.
    2. 48 KHz sample rate. 
    3. PCM.
    4. –20dBfs Digital Audio Level.
    5. Audio mix should be measured to have a Dialnorm value  of –24 Leq(A).
  • Channel mapping for 2-channel stereo content.
    1. 1–Left Stereo.
    2. 2–Right Stereo.
    3. 3–Mute of Sound (MOS).
    4. 4–MOS.
    5. 5–MOS.
    6. 6–MOS.
    7. 7–MOS.
    8. 8–MOS.

Adobe Premiere Project Screen

TIMECODE

  • Use NTSC Drop-Frame Time Code, starting at 01:00:00.00.

non-english language

  • If the title contains audible non-English language in any form in which the information given is crucial to the understanding of the narrative, either an English translated subtitle or voice over is required to be present on the media for the duration of the audible non-English language.

CAPTIONS

  • Closed Captions must be embedded in a SMPTE 436M VANC track containing both 608 and 708 data.
  • Start time of caption data must align with the overall timecode (01:00:00.00).

Screen Specifications

Content is not required to be 4x3 safe.

LOWER 3rd/SNIPE Placement

  • Pivot uses the area marked below 188px for promo snipes and Social Action content (see example).
  • Do not sacrifice creative for this; however please be aware there must be clean air to insert these graphics during the program.

Commercial Specs

AIR MATERIALS

  • File deliveries we accept are Extreme Reach, Comcast AD Delivery, EZ Spot and Javelin. Either DigiBeta or HDCAM are acceptable.
  • Each commercial must be on a separate reel.
  • Specs are: MXF wrapped XDCAM HD422 in 1080i59.94.
  • All Direct Response tapes must have an “800” number on shipper label.
  • Billboard Requirements:
    1. Please provide “jpeg” slide. :05 second audio script (no: 10 scripts).
    2. Billboard materials are required ten (10) working days prior to air.
  • ALL AIR TAPES MUST ARRIVE AT LEAST FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO AIR (unless there is a holiday acceleration).
    1. Make sure that ALL tapes are SLATED and labeled exactly the same.
  • COMPETITVE NETWORK AIR TAPES CANNOT CONTAIN THEIR “BUG” IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER; ANY OTHER PLACEMENT IS ACCEPTABLE.
SEND ALL AIR TAPES TO:Pivot/Participant Media
C/O Traffic and Operations Department
331 Foothill Drive, 3rd Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

STANDARDS AND PRACTICES (S&P) MATERIALS

All commercials intended for air on Pivot and pre-designated categories of adult directed commercials must be reviewed and approved by Pivot Standards and Practices Department. Scripts and storyboards should be submitted for review prior to production. Final, slated tapes should be submitted by e-mail link or DVD for approval 7 working days prior to air.

SEND ALL COMMERCIALS FOR APPROVAL TO: Pivot - Advertising Standards
245 5th Avenue, Suite 2201
New York, NY 10016
E-mail: Bcicatelli@participant.com

TRAFFIC INSTRUCTIONS

  • Advertiser / Product / Channel / Contact name / Contact number should be listed clearly on instructions.
  • Direct Response should denote local or national next to the product. If possible, local and national instructions should be sent separately.
  • Recap or Paid units should be noted clearly on instructions.
  • Please note on instructions: tape arrival date or if tapes are on hand and/or delivered digitally. Tapes should be delivered 5 business days prior to air.
    1. Percentage copy should have clearly marked start and end dates.
    2. Spot-by-Spot should list dayparts or shows clearly on separate pages.
  • Traffic revisions must be clearly marked in bold and indicate revision #.
  • When revising Spot-by-Spot instructions, clearly note what changed.
  • For Midweek Spot-by-Spot revisions, clearly note what changed.
    1. BE AWARE THAT SPOT-BY-SPOT REVISIONS SENT MIDWEEK MAY HAVE SPOTS THAT HAVE ALREADY AIRED.
    2. ANY REVISIONS SENT WILL BE REVISED ON NEXT OPEN LOG SCHEDULE.
  • Changes being made from multiple ISCIS to one code across dayparts should be noted.
  • Allocated instructions and number of units should match proposed deal.
  • PLEASE DO NOT SEND/PLACE INSTRUCTIONS WITH TAPES. THEY ARE BOTH SENT TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
SEND ALL TRAFFIC INSTRUCTIONS to: On Air Traffic & Operations
E-mail: traffic@participant.com
Phone: (310) 623-4956
Fax: (212) 659-0291

Digital Specs

High Definition Encoding Specifications Air-Ready File Format – Pivot HD

  • MXF OP1a Container, conforming with XDCAM HD422 specifications.
  • MPEG-2 Video.
    1. 1920x1080i at 29.97fps.
    2. 4:2:2 Chroma.
    3. 50 Mbps CBR.
    4. Long GOP.
  • 8 tracks of 24 bit, 48 KHz AES3 PCM audio, conforming with XDCAM HD422.
    1. Mandatory channel mapping.

      - 1–Left.
      - 2–Right.
      - 3 - 8–MOS.

    2. In all cases, 8 tracks of audio must be present.
  • Closed Captions must be embedded in a SMPTE 436M VANC track containing both 608 and 708 data.
  • NTSC Drop-Frame timecode, starting at 01:00:00;00 in both header and timecode track.

All facilities providing media to Encompass Digital Media must undergo a testing and qualification process before the commencement of production deliveries.

Other video formats are potentially acceptable, but must be mutually agreed upon.

All content must be formatted as program only. No bars/tone, blacks, or slates.

Downloadable Series Logos