Delivery Specs
Delivery specs are the full technical specification of a final deliverable, agreed before production starts and applied at the finishing stage, covering codec, resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, audio configuration, file naming, and any captioning or compliance requirements specific to the channel.
For broadcast work, delivery specs are tight and non-negotiable. ITV, Sky, BBC, and Channel 4 each publish their own technical delivery requirements (typically referencing standards such as EBU R 128 for loudness and ITU-R BT.709 / BT.2020 for picture). At time of writing, common UK requirements include codec (often ProRes 422 HQ or XDCAM HD422), resolution (1920 by 1080 for HD or 3840 by 2160 for UHD), frame rate (25 fps), audio configuration (often 5.1 with separate dialogue and music stems), and a bars-and-tone slate. Always check the current published spec for the destination channel; missing a spec means rejected delivery and a re-render.
For online and social, the specs are looser but the channel sets them: Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn each have their own preferences for codec, frame rate, and aspect ratio. A campaign that ships across many channels ships many specs.
On work like GROW for Sky and ITV Euro 2024 titles, the broadcast spec is a known constraint from day one. Production is built to deliver to it without rework at finishing. On more complex multi-channel work, delivery specs are a working document maintained across pre-production and finishing.
We confirm delivery specs in writing with the client and the channel before production locks. Late changes to delivery specs are common and usually mean a finishing re-pass, which is cheaper to plan for than to discover.
Related
Related services
Sources
Academic papers, recognised industry standards, and canonical industry texts that back up claims in this entry.
- EBU R 118. EBU Technical Committee, EBU, 2019Supports: broadcast delivery specs
- SMPTE ST 2067-21:2019. SMPTE, SMPTE, 2019Supports: codec resolution frame rate
- ITU-R BT.2100-2. ITU, ITU, 2018Supports: UHD resolution frame rate
Frequently asked questions
Why are broadcast delivery specs so strict?
Because broadcasters operate complex playout chains that handle thousands of files per day. A non-conforming file can break the chain or produce visible problems on air. Strict specs let the broadcaster guarantee a clean signal to the viewer. We deliver to spec because broadcasters reject non-conforming files outright.
Who provides the delivery specs?
The broadcaster or platform. We collect the current technical delivery requirements at the start of the project from the client's media buyer or directly from the broadcaster. Specs occasionally update; we re-check before delivery.
What about captions and accessibility?
Increasingly part of the spec. Closed captions, audio description, and subtitle files are all common deliverables now. Some broadcasters require them; many social platforms recommend them. We brief on accessibility at the start so it is part of the production plan, not bolted on at finishing.