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)
c. without interfering with any key sponsor integration moments in the program (physical products, graphics or sponsor-related themed moments)

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.