Technical Requirements for Promos

The specifications on this page are distilled from the PBS Producer Handbook.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Accepted Asset Types
• Allowed Durations
• Unallowed Texted Words and Phrases
• PBS Logo Requirements
• The last :05 seconds
• Resolution Requirement
• Video Stream Specifications
• Audio Stream Specifications
  • When audio splits are detected 
• File Specifications

Accepted Asset Types

• promo (texted), promo (textless), filler, promo (texted/dated)
• Date text or graphics are not allowed 

Preferred Durations

• :30, :15 
• Must be frame accurate
• Timing must end in 0 (zero)
• Filler asset durations may have 2:00 – 5:00 durations
  

Unallowed Texted Words and Phrases

• Next, next on or next time 

PBS Logo Requirements

• Must be present between :01 and :03 
• May be presented in the lower third.   Otherwise, lower third must be clear
• When using the Keyable logo, apply the “blue tint” frame over the footage at 70% opacity or lower to increase logo/ footage contrast.

The last :05 seconds

• If duration :15, :30, :20, :60:  
  • No narration/talking allowed 
  • Graphic or fonted show title must be present 
  • Music (Audio effect) required at bed level (eg 50% or normal audio level) 
  • Video shrinkback effect is not allowed
  • Fade to black is not allowed 

Resolution Requirement

• HD

Video Stream Specifications

• Codec: ProRes HQ  
• Frame Size 16/9: 1920 x 1080  
• Frame Rate: 29.97  
• Drop frame  
• Video Standard: NTSC  
• Scan Type: Interlaced (Upper Field First)  
• Video Stream BitRate: 220 Mbps  
• Video Stream BitRate Mode: CBR  

Audio Stream Specifications

• Codec: PCM (Little Endian)  
• Audio Stream BitRate: 1.4 Mbps  
• Audio Stream BitRate Mode: CBR
• Number of Audio Channels:
  • 4 (Track 1: Stereo, Tracks 2 Mono)

    OR

  • 2 (Track 1: Stereo only)

• Sampling Rate: 48 KHz  
• Bit Depth: 16 bits 

• When audio splits are detected 

  • A minimum of 4 separate audio tracks are required 

    track for narration, 

    track for sync audio, 

    track for music 

    track for effects 

• File Specifications

  • ProRes HQ  
  • File Format: Quicktime (.mov)  

    If social media promo type, File format .mp4 

  • File Size: ~ 1GB per minute of video  

  • Timecode starts at 1:00:00;00 

  • No    closed    captioning.  

PBS Video File and Title Naming Convention

• It is required you name your files this way before uploading!
• They must match the title exactly

Series_Program_Season_Episode_Asset Type_Version_Duration

Examples:
#1 - NOVA_Meteor Strikes_Episodic Promo_Cobrand Clean_30
#2 - GPER_3710_Twilight Los Angeles_Episodic Promo_Cobrand Clean_30
#3 - Masterpiece_The Forsytes_Series Sell Promo_Social Media Video Vertical 9x16 Passport PBS APP_30
#4 - Nature_Parenthood_The Greatest Adventure_Episodic Promo_Cobrand Clean_20 

Some additional examples:

All Creatures Great and Small_Seasons of the Dales_Promo_Streaming_30

Black and Jewish America_Episode 4_Episodic Promo_PBS Dated APP_Tuesday 10_9c_30 
Sunday Lineup_Fall 2021_10-24-21_Combo Promo_Cobrand Clean_30