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Scotland Content Delivery

Thank you for being one of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland's content suppliers; you’re very important to us. We know that a lot of hard work will go into your production and we want to make sure audiences can easily find and enjoy your content.

This guide will provide you with all the information you need to deliver your content, supporting material and supporting paperwork to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland.

All programmes delivered to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland must be fully editorially and technically signed-off and ready for transmission prior to delivery.

New Commissions

Your ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland Delivery Co-ordinator will email you a delivery pack outlining details of your commission which will contain the following important details: 

1) Contracted Delivery Dates

2) Supporting Material

3) Topicality Status

4) UID (Unique Identifier)

5) Content Durations

6) Branding Guidelines

1) Contracted Delivery Dates

On commission of your content, you will receive information about the date by which all your content and some essential paperwork must be delivered.

Delivery Date Changes

Any variation to the contracted delivery date, change of title, airing order or agreed duration must be formally agreed in writing with your ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland Commercial Rights & Business Affairs (CRBA) Manager

2) Supporting Material - due to deliver the same day as your contracted delivery date

In a world where we're bombarded with content every day, it's never been more important to capture striking images and supporting assets during the production of your programme as it will significantly improve promotional opportunities of your programme.

The publicity, TV promotions, iPlayer, online and social media teams at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland work closely together to make the best use of the deliverable assets required to support programme publicity and promotion in both traditional and digital spaces.

It is in a production’s interest to invest a proportion of its budget and time towards securing assets that will enable effective promotion in a multi-platform world.

Images

You are advised to have an early conversation with Content Discovery regarding iPlayer imagery, and Press & Publicity regarding promotional imagery. 

 

More information - including how to deliver - can be found here.

Help with supporting material

If you have any questions regarding supporting material, or would like to deliver your supporting material content early please email the Content Discovery Team at scotlandcontentdelivery@bbc.co.uk

3) Topicality Status

This status will determine how and precisely when your programme must be delivered. Refer to the Topicality Status table below for detail about each of the statuses.

 

Topicality statusProgramme typeWhen requiredHow to deliver
Non-topical All non-topical programmes Required by 5pm on the contracted delivery date File Delivery of TV Programmes
Week topical programmes A programme with ‘week specific’ elements Required by 5pm on the contracted delivery date, 5 days before transmission
Day before topical A programme with a ‘news’ element within it, e.g. weekly review programmes Required by 10am on the contracted delivery date, the day before transmission
On-day topical programmes A news programme, or highlights programmes connected to earlier sport or other live event Required by 12 hours before transmission on the contracted delivery date Late and Live TV Delivery
Quick turnaround/ late edit programmes Programmes which, because of essential last-minute preparation and/or location of the editing/recording facility, will deliver late A date and time specified on commissioning documentation
Live programmes Live feeds/whole programmes played from a live source e.g. outside broadcast, a studio, abroad A date and time specified on commissioning documentation

Delivery Date Changes

Any variation to the contracted delivery date, change of title, airing order or agreed duration must be formally agreed in writing with your ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland Commercial Rights & Business Affairs (CRBA) Manager

4) UID (Unique Identifier)

Every ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ programme episode version has its own UID which follows the episode throughout its life and is used for all filing, documentation, music reporting, archive and retrieval.

The UID must go on the clock, file metadata, and on all post production paperwork.

The UID comprises two parts
The core number: identifies the programme at the episode level, e.g.DRA A479U The version number (suffix): identifies the version of the episode: e.g. /01, /02 (start at /01 and run to /49)
Together they make the UIDe.g. DRA A479U/01

Productions must not increment version numbers. If a new version of the programme needs to be delivered, contact the UID issuer for a new version number:-

For independent productions: Your Delivery Co-ordinator

For ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Studios (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖS), ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland Multiplatform Productions (MPP) or ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland News & Current Affairs: email MultiplatformSchedulingScotland@bbc.co.uk

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland Archive is required to keep all transmitted programmes for a minimum of five years for research, re-use value and for critical business reasons such as legal traceability and ensuring the correct version of a programme is transmitted. Please read the

For UIDs in a series, the order in which they are issued is assumed to be the transmission order, unless agreed with Scheduling via your CRBA Manager/Delivery Co-ordinator. If a file-delivered programme requires re-editing after it has been accepted by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, it will always be a new version and require a new version number.

5) Content Durations

The commissioning documentation will specify a slot duration for content. However, the programme must conform to the actual duration requirements shown below.

 

Scheduled slot duration³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One Scotland delivery duration³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland TV channel delivery duration
60 minutes 59 minutes 58 minutes
30 minutes 29 minutes 28 minutes
All other durations One minute less than the slot duration One minute less than the slot duration

Important information regarding content durations

The actual durations include opening and closing titles.

Any variation to the agreed duration must be formally agreed with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland Scheduling, via your CRBA Manager

6) Branding Guidelines

Branding assets and guidance.

 

 

  

What you need to deliver

1) A completed programme (or series)

2) Paperwork

3) Supporting material

  

  

  

  

 1.1) Late Edits and Live TV Delivery

Depending on the Topicality Status given to you at commission, you may be required to deliver close to transmission with a late edit or a live programme. A programme is considered ‘close to transmission’ after the TX – 12 hours file delivery deadline.³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland can accept programmes delivered by the following options:

I) Lines Recording

The programme is played down the line and recorded by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland CMTX and then played out from server for transmission. The programme must be on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland CMTX playout server 2x duration + 30 minutes.

II) Lines to Air

The programme will not be available to deliver via lines recording by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖS CMTX deadline and must be played out directly to air from a facility via ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland Playout.The cost of lines, including communication circuits, and all other facilities deemed necessary by television for safe transmission and delivery of these programmes must be included in programme budgets.It is the responsibility of the production to book all the appropriate required circuits. For line bookings please contact the . Remember lines must be available 30 minutes earlier so they can be checked. All programmes must supply a standby programme if requested.Lines recording and lines to air (.pdf / Section 6).

For further information on delivery methods please contact Ruth Palmer and Maura Currie.A retrospective file delivery is required within 2 weeks of TX or to the file delivery deadline if your programme has a scheduled repeat. Live events should deliver a PasB recording as an AS-11 DPP Complaint Package with a PSE certificate. This is submitted by the usual route for file delivered programmes.

  

  

  

  

  2.1) Compliance Form

Required on your programme delivery date

This form is to ensure that the Programme complies with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ editorial guidelines and includes information of any offensive language, violence, disturbing content etc.

All compliance forms must be submitted on PTK Compliance () and signed off by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Editorial Representative/Commissioner, then flagged to your Delivery Co-ordinator.

If you are a new production company you will need to apply . You will need your Programme Title and UID,

Please send this form to: scotlandtvdeliveryunit2@bbc.co.uk

 Via Silvermouse

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland uses for its Production Reporting Paperwork including (2.2) Billings, (2.3) Music Cue Sheet, (2.4) PasCforms and (2.5) Diamond Diversity Forms should be submitted via this system.

Please note that the system title which you see in Silvermouse does not always reflect the actual programme title, so please update the ‘Billed Series Title’ field within the Header with the confirmed programme title.

New users to Silvermouse . Existing users (including for other broadcasters) can use the same login details and do not need to request a new login.

Although many of the fields on the forms are not mandatory, please ensure you complete all the relevant fields to ensure your reporting is robust, detailed and accurate otherwise the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ may reject the form. Also please ensure that you include final durations and file names taken from the File Validation paperwork where applicable.

  2.2) Billings

Required as soon as possible or by your delivery date

Includes a synopsis of your programme, for circulation to listings magazines, EPGs and websites. Please note that the wording needs to be pre-approved by your ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Editorial Representative. Further information

  2.3) Music Cue Sheet

Required within 2 weeks of transmission/publication

This provides the details of all music used as the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is legally required to report to the music copyright collecting societies. All music and commercial recordings must be reported, no matter how short the duration. Further information .

  2.4) PasC

Required within 2 weeks of transmission/publication

The PasC is comprised of Contributors, Copyrights and Front Page forms. This provides information about the content and contributors in the programme, including copyright items and any restrictions on re-use. Further information.

  2.5) Diamond Diversity Forms

Required within 2 weeks of transmission/publication

Diamond Diversity forms include Contributors, Diversity Actual and Diversity Perceived - this data is collated as part of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s commitment to diversity in its output. Further information on Diversity and the Diamond system, or .

Please ensure all email addresses for contributors/crew listed on the Diversity Actual form have been included - and where necessary links reactivated. Forms with a significant number of email addresses missing will be rejected.

Via Email

  2.6) Albert Carbon Action Plan & Albert Carbon Footprint*

Required within 6 weeks of delivery of episode/final episode and ideally at the point of programme delivery. Please be aware that you should begin your Albert Carbon Action Plan at PRE-PRODUCTION stage.

*If appropriate, exemptions apply

More information

  2.7) Transcript

If available, in advance of transmission

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland requests a copy of the final content script. If available please email to:

Independent Production Companies

  • scotlandtvdeliveryunit2@bbc.co.uk
  • ScotlandContentDelivery@bbc.co.uk
  • MultiplatformSchedulingScotland@bbc.co.uk

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Studios, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland Multiplatform Production & ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland News & Current Affairs

  • The relevant Commissioner
  • ProductionPaperworkScotland@bbc.co.uk
  • ScotlandContentDelivery@bbc.co.uk
  • MultiplatformSchedulingScotland@bbc.co.uk

  2.8) Schedule of Residuals*

Required within 2 weeks of transmission/publication

*If appropriate - not required for non-linear only commissions

The Schedule of residuals lists all the writers, contributors, copyright material and music to be referenced for any repeat fees. If there are no residual costs please state this on the form.

If you are submitting for a series, please put all details into one form and send to your Delivery Co-ordinator at scotlandtvdeliveryunit2@bbc.co.uk

More information.

For any queries regarding completing the form, please contact TV&MediaOperationsIndieTeam@bbc.co.uk.

Once completed, please save the form using the series/programme name and ‘Password Protect’ as advised by your Delivery Co-ordinator via scotlandtvdeliveryunit2@bbc.co.uk

ACQUISITIONS: If this is a requirement on your contract/delivery pack. Although Residuals may not apply, we require a ‘Nil Return’ Schedule of Residuals for our records; so please state clearly on the form ‘Acquisition – not applicable’.

  2.9) Key Agreements

As defined as in the General Terms of the PPA

If any Key Agreements are listed in section 4 of your Commissioning Specification, their delivery is required. Please send to your CRBA Manager and Delivery Co-ordinator at: scotlandtvdeliveryunit2@bbc.co.uk

  2.10) I&RP OFCom Compliance Form*

Required within two weeks of transmission/publication

*If appropriate - not required for non-linear only commissions

Form  

If you are unsure if your production is classed as regional, see clause 6 of your Commissioning Specification.

Please email it directly to I&RP Compliance: IRPOfcomCompliance@bbc.co.uk copying in your Delivery Co-orordinator at scotlandtvdeliveryunit2@bbc.co.uk

Via Dropbox

Each commission will have its own Dropbox file request setup. If you have not received a link to upload your files for all supporting material including supporting material paperwork please email scotlandcontentdelivery@bbc.co.uk

  2.11) Supporting Material Paperwork

  • Shortform Compliance Form

If you are delivering any additional footage to accompany your commission

  • Publicity Stills Caption List

Programme stills and publicity stills caption lists are required for publicity purposes – . 

 

  

  

  

  3.2) D&E Stems 

Please can you supply us with the following

· Separate stems for Dialogue, Voiceover, Music and FX – clean, unmixed WAVs (sample rate 48kHz/depth 24bit/sample)

 

  3.3) Preview Copy

One copy of the full programme for each episode, required prior to your programme delivery date, must be uploaded directly to the Previews Mediashuttle by MP4 file. Please contact the Previews team previews.unit@bbc.co.uk for an account to be setup.

Technical specification

  • 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

 

 

To best represent your content online across all available platforms, we require a transparent logo (as .png) to be uploaded alongside your other supporting material. 

 

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