NBCU Creative Guidelines

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

Ad Formats

 

Pre-Roll

  • Length: :6s, :15s, :30s, :45s and :60s are accepted
    • Ad length dependent on content type. Speak to your account representative

Mid Roll

  • Length: :15s, :30s, :45s, and :60s are accepted

 

 

Creative Guidelines:

Creative is due 14 business days prior to campaign launch.

All Clients must be registered with Ad-ID and assign a valid Ad-ID code to each creative prior to submission of advertising creatives.

  • Clients can contact Ad-ID customer service at cs@ad-id.org or 646.259.4171 for assistance.
  • NBCUniversal will provide support in the onboarding process.
  • For information on Ad-ID, please visit: http://www.ad-id.org/

We are committed to making this a pristine ad environment. As a result, we need our client’s help to ensure users are not bombarded with repetitive ads.

Requirements include

  • Spanish language preferred, but English language accepted.
  • ‘Always On’
  • We cannot accept two ads stitched together to create one larger duration.
    • Example: Two separate :15 ads stitched together to create a :30 ad
  • Minimum 3 creatives always available, including both :15s and :30s, :45s and :60s if necessary
  • Advertisers required to refresh creative quarterly to avoid ad fatigue
  • One stock evergreen creative to be used as needed (may be co-produced with NBCU)
  • Evergreen will be used to supplement rotation until late creative is received and/or during the time creative is paused to ensure a quality user experience.
  • The Ad Countdown Clock safe area should be a 320×80 box for the countdown and copy
    • The box positioned with the top left corner at X:128, Y:943So 128px from the left, 943 pixels from the top
    • **There are no objections to allowing subtitles baked into ads however, if sending creative with subtitles please be mindful of the countdown clock positioning. If your text is left aligned it will be blocked by the countdown clock.**

 

Creative Rotation Policy:

  • The maximum creatives allowed in rotation at one time is six (6). Peacock will review any additional creative requests on an as-needed basis
  • No dark dates permitted at a client level. In the event no brands are live, evergreen creative will run until brands start running again.
  • NBCU will require one tag to run across all platforms and devices.
  • For creative swaps, NBCU must receive assets at least 5 days before swap.

 

Video Ads – Required Specs

 

NBCU-Served Video Submission/Encoding:

 

Dimensions:

  • 1920×1080 Minimum

Duration:

  • :6s, :15s, :30s, :45s and :60s are accepted for Pre-roll/Mid-roll
    • Ad length dependent on content type. Speak to your account representative
  • Video duration must be the same length as the audio track or else video cannot be transcoded

Max File Size:

  • 10 GB

File Format:

  • Video Ad-ID is required
    • All clients must be registered with Ad-ID and assign a valid Ad-ID code to each creative prior to submission of advertising creatives. Clients can contact Ad-ID customer service at cs@ad-id.org or 646.259.4171 for assistance. NBCUniversal will provide support in the onboarding process. For information on Ad-ID, please visit: http://www.ad-id.org/
  • Quicktime (.MOV) accepted
  • MPEG-4 (.MP4) accepted
  • The file should include the ad only and not require any editing or clipping before transcoding (no bars/tones, slates, etc.).

Minimum Bit Rate:

  • Greater than 15Mbps

Frame Rate:

  • 23.98, 25 or 29.97 based on native frame rate
  • In order to ingest and fulfill creatives in the most efficient and reliable manner, deliver content in native frame rate and scan mode.
  • NBC does not accept any pre-processing (i.e apply Telecine, Inverse Telecine, scan mode conversion) of creatives. Applying any kind of pre-processing will hinder or degrade the creative renditions and thus, can impact monetization and viewer experience

Aspect Ratio:

  • 16:9

Video Codec:

  • Apple ProRes 422 HQ codec preferred (Video Bitrate must be at least 800 Kbps)
  • H.264 codec is accepted (Video Bitrate must be at least 50 Mbps)
  • DV codec | DVC Pro NTSC (DV25) or DVC Pro NTSC (DV50) accepted
  • Interlaced video is NOT accepted

Audio Codec:

  • Audio is required
  • 2 channels only
  • PCM preferred
  • AAC codec accepted
  • 192 kbps minimum
  • Stereo 16 or 24 bit
  • 48 KHz sample rate 115KB – sample size
  • Audio track must be the same length as the video duration or else the video cannot be transcoded

 

VAST 2.0:

 

  • In order to hit rendition targets reflected in the NBCU specification (Mezz, High, Medium and Low) it is NBCU’s recommendation to use the highest quality source file.
  • To ensure accuracy across the various transcoding platforms in market we recommend a minimum bitrate threshold for source material of 50mbps.
  • Secure HTTPS tags only
  • All direct sold VAST tags are subject to internal NBCU QC processes and will be rejected if spec requirements are not met across all platforms.
  • For a detailed list of NBCU creative quality checks and descriptions, please Click Here
  • NBCU requires a total of FOUR files to run, no exceptions.
    • Mezz, High, Medium and Low. Details below.
    • This allows for the highest quality content and advertisement playback to run on all viewing endpoints: desktop, mobile web, apps and OTT.

 

Mezz
  • Dimensions/Resolution:
    • MP4/MOV: 1920×1080 HD
  • Max File Size:
    • 10 GB
  • Bit Rate:
    • A minimum of 15 Mbps required, but 15-30 Mbps recommended
  • Audio:
    • At least 192 Kbps
    • Sampling Frequency should be 48000Hz
  • Aspect Ratio:
    • 16:9
High
  • Dimensions/Resolution:
    • MP4 ONLY: 1920×1080 HD
  • Max File Size:
    • Variable based on bitrate
  • Bit Rate:
    • 3.25 – 5 Mbps
  • Audio:
    • At least 96 Kbps
    • Sampling Frequency should be 48000Hz or 44100Hz
  • Aspect Ratio:
    • 16:9 or 4:3
Medium
  • Dimensions/Resolution:
    • MP4 ONLY: 960×540 or 640×480
  • Max File Size:
    • Variable based on bitrate
  • Bit Rate:
    • 1 – 1.5 Mbps
  • Audio:
    • At least 96 Kbps
    • Sampling Frequency should be 48000Hz or 44100Hz
  • Aspect Ratio:
    • 16:9 or 4:3
Low
  • Dimensions/Resolution:
    • MP4 ONLY: 640×360 or 416×234
  • Max File Size:
    • Variable based on bitrate
  • Bit Rate:
    • 340-460 Kbps
  • Audio:
    • At least 96 Kbps
    • Sampling Frequency should be 48000Hz or 44100Hz
  • Aspect Ratio:
    • 16:9 or 4:3

Duration:

  • :6s, :15s, :30s, :45s and :60s are accepted for Pre-roll/Mid-roll
    • Longer ad length may be considered. Speak to your account representative
  • NOTE: VAST tag cannot rotate various durations within. A separate VAST tag per duration required.
Frame Rate:
  • Native Frame Rate as 29.97fps, 23.98fps, or 25fps
  • In order to ingest and fulfill creatives in the most efficient and reliable manner, deliver content in native frame rate and scan mode. NBC does not accept any pre-processing (i.e apply Telecine, Inverse Telecine, scan mode conversion) of creatives. Applying any kind of pre-processing will hinder or degrade the creative renditions and thus, can impact monetization and viewer experience
Video Codec:
  • Interlaced video is not accepted
  • Apple ProRes 422 HQ or H.264 is accepted for mezzanine renditions
  • H.264 is required for all others (High, Medium, Low)
Audio:
  • Volume should not exceed the volume of the content and must be under –2dB.
  • Must follow CALM compliance loudness average of –24LKFS +/-2.
  • Secure HTTPS ONLY
Additional Notes:
  • VAST tags can also include MOV files, but MUST include a MP4 for each rendition: High, Medium and Low. If MP4 is not included for each then the asset will not pass and it must be revised or it cannot run.
  • For TV shows and Movies, DDT (day, date and time) is not allowed
  • Flighting, Capping and Targeting to be applied by NBCU only to ensure contractual obligations and correct delivery.
  • Time targeting, Frequency caps, Demo targeting, Geo targeting, etc.
  • Stitched creatives are not permitted.
  • Please note – tags cannot rotate different durations on the back end, we only allow one duration per tag. Additionally, we cannot breakout tags per durations, for example, all 30s creatives desired must rotate on backend of one tag instead of being split out into several tags.
Partner Requirements: YouTube
  • Advertising on YouTube via NBCU Ad Sales must follow all of NBCU’s spec requirements listed on this page.
  • However, third party tag vendors must follow YouTube’s list of approved vendors.

 

Approved Creative, Research & Verification Vendors:

  • Secure 3rd Party Impression Tracking pixel tag (noscript tag) accepted
  • Secure Research Tracking Pixel tag accepted (not STB)
  • Secure HTTPS tags only
  • Comcast X1 requires tracking pixels to support DualStack IPV4/IPV6 connectivity
  • Secure Quartile Tracking accepted
  • Peacock supports Standard (non-JS) 1×1 Survey Pixels served via the node within a VAST 2.0 response
  • Peacock does not support Survey Nodes and any other interactive elements or implied interactivity. Speak to your account representative for more information
  • For a list of approved third-party vendors please reference NBCU’s Approved Creative, Research & Verification Vendors.

Twitter:

*Ad-IDs required for all video creative running on World Cup content

Third-Party Tag Requirements:

All billing of 1st Party Twitter Numbers

If self-service, advertiser will add tag within their Twitter Ad Account.

Accepted Tag:

  • VAST Innovid

Assets Files Needed:

  • No

Generated Tag Ownership:

  • Advertiser

Tag Format:

Accepted Tag:

  • VAST CM360 (DCM)

Assets Files Needed:

  • Yes

Generated Tag Ownership:

  • Advertiser

Tag Format:

More Info:

Pre Roll Specs:

Product:

  • Pre-Roll Video Ads

Aspect Ratio:

  • 16×9 or 1×1 (Max 1GB)

File Size:

  • Max 1GB

File Type:

  • MP4 or MOV

Video Length:

  • Recommended: 6 seconds or less
    :06 non-skip; > :06 is skippable after :05

Video Bitrate Recommendation:

  • 6,000-10,000 for 1080p
  • 5,000-8,000 for 720p

Frame Rate Recommendation:

  • 29.97 fps

Audio or Video Codec Recommendation:

  • Video: H264 baseline, 4:2:0 color space

Notes:

  • All Highlights from ‘@TelemundoSports will be published in 16×9. 1×1 creative will be resized in Twitter with black bars.

Moment:

Advertiser Responsibility:

  • Advertiser

Needed:

  • 2x tweets from Advertiser handle to be placed in the 4th * 8th slot
  • Logo or brand asset pack

Telemundo Sports Team Responsibility:

  • Telemundo Sports Team

Needed:

  • Create Branded Cover Photo for approval; 16:9 format

Format:

Campaign Set-up for Self-Service Step-by-Step:

Product Type:

  • Pre-Roll

Instructions:

Product Type:

  • Non pre-roll (custom video, poll, moment)

Instructions:

Twitter Measurement Tags:

Accepted Tag:

  • Nielsen DAR, comScore vCE

Asset File Needed:

  • Yes

Generated Tag Ownership:

  • Advertiser

Tag Format:

Third Party Billing:

  • No

Information:

Accepted Tag:

  • DoubleVerify, IAS, MOAT

Asset File Needed:

  • Yes

Generated Tag Ownership:

  • Advertiser Ad Account Integration

Tag Format:

  • N/A

Third Party Billing:

  • No

 

Sensitive Ad Categories that Require Preliminary Ad Standards Review:

The following categories of Creatives will require prior approval of NBCUniversal, provided in its sole discretion, 72 hours prior to exhibition on Peacock:

Categories That Require Review

  • Advertisements containing Contest and Sweepstakes
  • Alcoholic Beverages (Hard Alcohol, Beer, Wine)
  • Controversial Issue and Political Advertising
  • Dietary Supplements and Homeopathic Remedies
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Gambling
  • M-Rated Video Games
  • Medical Devices (including Pregnancy Tests)
  • Medications (Over-The-Counter and Prescription Drugs)
  • Personal Products (including Contraceptives)
  • R-Rated Movies
  • Telemedicine Platforms
  • Weight Loss

 

Prohibited Categories

  • Adult Products and Services
  • Astrology, Fortune Telling and Psychic Services
  • Cannabis, Marijuana and CBD Products
  • Competitive Streaming Content and Services
  • Firearms, Weapons and Fireworks
  • Get Rich Quick and Pyramid Schemes
  • Illegal Drugs, Products, Services, Publications or Paraphernalia
  • Lawyer Advertising
  • Religious Advertising
  • Tobacco Products (including E-cigarettes)

 

For any questions, please contact @NBC Uni Specs & Guidelines.

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