Redirecting to PMD Program Master File | Discovery

Production Guide Menu

Program Master File

by | Aug 4, 2020

I. PROGRAM MASTER FILE
II. SLATE
III. WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY (WOO) (US only)
IV. PROGRAM MASTER FILE – EVERGREEN


I. PROGRAM MASTER FILE

      • Cut to Network Clock or Seamless Master (at direction of Discovery Production Team)
      • With text, graphics, credits, and opening title sequence
      • All master files must comply with the current version of the Discovery Global Technical Specifications.
      • Bumps, teases, recaps, in-program features, and on-line tosses are not counted towards content time.

II. SLATE

Except for nonlinear master files, all Discovery programs must begin with a leader element; including bars, tones, slate, etc. (Please see section 2.1.1. of the Global Tech Specs Version 6)

The mandatory information that needs to appear on the slate is as follows:

Name of the Program or Series/Episode Name & Number
Program TRT:
Property and Episode #: ex) 55555.001   (Consult with your DCL EP/PE for this number.)
Version/Case: (if applicable – see note below*)
Segment 1 – time in: time out: TRT:
Segment 2 – time in: time out: TRT:
Segment 3 – time in: time out: TRT:
Segment 4 – time in: time out: TRT:
Segment 5 – time in: time out: TRT:
Segment 6 – time in: time out: TRT:
Credits Start at – time in: time out: TRT:
Audio Configuration: Ch1:_____ Ch2:_____Ch3:_____Ch4:_____ , etc.

*If you are delivering multiple versions (i.e. seamless and cut-to-clock) please include version description information on both the slate(s) and label(s).

 

III.  WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY (WOO) (US only)

Definition: An area within a program that is clean/textless and can be used for promotion:
a. without interfering with lower thirds full screen graphics.
b.  without interfering with content in the upper left (Discovery Channel only)

Delivery:  WOO timecodes should be entered as part of the metadata during Program Master File upload.

 WOO parameters

Length: WOOs must be no less than :40 seconds in length and spaced as far apart as possible within a segment where 2 WOOs are required.  You must be at least 1 minute into each segment before a WOO can start.  

Half-hour program: There should be 2 WOOs identified per segment for lower third clearance.  For Animal Planet only, there should be 4 WOOs identified per segment.   For Discovery Channel only, there should also be 2 WOOs identified per segment for upper left clearance.

1 hour or 2 hour programs: There should be 2 WOOs identified per segment, except the last segment, in which there should only be 1 WOO. For Animal Planet only, there should be 4 WOOs identified per segment.  For Discovery Channel only, there should also be 2 WOOs identified per segment for upper left clearance.

 

IV.  PROGRAM MASTER FILE – EVERGREEN

In the event of an ad sales/sponsored integration, producer must deliver (in the same format as the main Program Master File) an evergreen version of the program.