General File Requirements

To ensure your CTV creatives are formatted correctly for all platforms, adhere to the following general file requirements:

• File Type: MP4 or MOV

• Resolution:

  • 1280 x 720

  • 1920 x 1080

• Duration: Available durations typically range from 6 seconds to 60 seconds, depending on the platform.

• Audio:

  • PCM or AAC-LC (preferred).

  • Audio bitrate for AAC should be 192 Kbps or higher.

  • Use a 48 kHz sample rate for audio.

• Video Profiles:

  • MOV files: Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (LT).

  • H.264 profile: Baseline, Main, or High.

• Bitrate:

  • For MOV 720p: 42,000 Kbps or higher.

  • For MOV 1080p: 80,000 Kbps or higher.

  • For H.264 720p: 8,000 Kbps or higher.

  • For H.264 1080p: 12,000 Kbps or higher.

• Track Conformance: Ensure that the file contains one video and one audio track, with identical durations (tolerance within 500 ms).

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Hosted Creative CTV Guidelines and Specifications

When uploading a hosted CTV creative, the platform handles the transcoding process. Below are the requirements for individual media files:

Hulu

• File Type: MP4, MOV

• Bitrate: Between 15,000 Kbps and 30,000 Kbps

• Resolution:

  • 960 x 720

  • 1280 x 720

  • 1440 x 1080

  • 1920 x 1080

• Duration: 15 seconds, 30 seconds

Roku

• File Type: MP4

• Bitrate: At least 2,100 Kbps

• Resolution: No specific requirement

• Duration: 6-60 seconds

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9

ESPN

• File Type: MP4

• Bitrate: At least 2,000 Kbps

• Resolution:

  • 1280 x 720

  • 1920 x 1080

• Duration: 15 seconds, 30 seconds

NBCU

• File Type: MP4

• Bitrate: Between 15,000 Kbps and 30,000 Kbps

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080

• Duration: 6, 15, 30, 45, 60 seconds

Netflix

• No QR Codes Allowed on creatives.

• File Type: MP4, MOV

• Video Scan Type: Progressive

• Video Profile for MOV: Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (LT)

• Video Frame Rate: Constant (23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30)

• Audio: PCM or AAC-LC audio codecs, 48 kHz sample rate, 2-channel stereo, 16-bit or 24-bit depth

• Duration: 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 seconds

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Third-Party Creative CTV Guidelines and Specifications

For third-party trafficked creatives, multiple renditions may be required for different platforms. Below are the specifications for each publisher:

Hulu

• File Type: MP4, MOV

• Bitrate: Between 15,000 Kbps and 30,000 Kbps

• Resolution:

  • 960 x 720

  • 1280 x 720

  • 1440 x 1080

  • 1920 x 1080

• Duration: 15 seconds, 30 seconds

• Rendition: At least one rendition is required.

Roku

Renditions:

• High: MP4, 16:9, bitrate 1,200 – 2,100 Kbps, 6-60 seconds

• Low: MP4, 16:9, bitrate 360 – 500 Kbps, 6-60 seconds

• Medium: MP4, 16:9, bitrate 700 – 1,200 Kbps, 6-60 seconds

ESPN

Renditions:

• High: MP4, 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080, bitrate 2,000 – 5,000 Kbps, 15-30 seconds

• Low: MP4, 640 x 360, 1280 x 720, or 1920 x 1080, bitrate <1,500 Kbps, 15-30 seconds

NBCU

Renditions:

• High: MP4, 720 x 480, 1280 x 720, or 1920 x 1080, bitrate 3,250 – 5,000 Kbps, 6, 15, 30, 45, 60 seconds

• Low: MP4, 640 x 360, 416 x 234, bitrate 340 – 460 Kbps, 6, 15, 30, 45, 60 seconds

• Medium: MP4, 640 x 480 or 960 x 540, bitrate 1,000 – 1,500 Kbps, 6, 15, 30, 45, 60 seconds

• Mezzanine: MP4, 1920 x 1080, bitrate 15,000 – 30,000 Kbps, 6, 15, 30, 45, 60 seconds

Warning:

• All four renditions are required for NBCU’s inventory. Missing any file will prevent your creative from serving.

These guidelines ensure that your creatives meet the necessary technical specifications for high-quality delivery across various premium publisher platforms. Stay updated on any changes to these requirements, as they may vary according to specific publisher needs.