Producer Updates as of February 21, 2024
Our multimedia visual products require approved flash pattern analysis to check for photosensitivity if they may be a problem for photosensitive viewers. WBD continues to use industry-standard software to test all incoming content.
POLICY CHANGE:
Program masters delivered to Warner Bros. Discovery via producers.discovery.com on and after February 22, 2024 will be evaluated with a different flash and pattern analysis software than content delivered prior to this date. We understand you may have questions if your program’s technical evaluation report contains different feedback after this date. To accommodate active production delivery timelines, WBD will enter a policy adjustment period described here, until June 2024.
TIMELINE:
POLICY STARTING ON FEBRUARY 22, 2024: If content falls outside the test parameters, it may be rejected. The operations team will work with you to determine a path forward based on legal requirements, including the current policy of allowing certificates from compliant flash and pattern analyzers. You may see different information noted in your technical evaluation report from our flash and pattern analyzer.
POLICY STARTING ON JUNE 5, 2024: At the end of the policy adjustment period in June, content that fails the PSE testing within WBD’s automated supply chain will be rejected based on those standards only. The acceptance process comes to a halt until the content passes this evaluation.
Warner Bros. Discovery strongly recommends that providers use a Harding Flash and Pattern Analyzer on all content before delivery to ensure it meets those standards.
As always, the deliverables and operations teams at WBD are available to you and your network contacts to answer any questions regarding any faults within your master technical evaluation reports.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Emergency Alert Tones: Policy Reminder
Production partners must not, under any circumstances, add real or simulated emergency alert tones to a program. If the program includes recordings of naturally-occurring alert tones, the production partner must cover (bleep) or silence the emergency alert tones. For production partners unfamiliar with EAS tones, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes simulated training tones available on their website. https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/audio/132794 . Please also see the EAS page under Policies in the Discovery Production Guide which includes a training video.