Checking audio and visual specifications before delivery

Before you deliver a CTV ad, compare the actual export or ad tag with the current specification for each booked placement. Check picture, sound, captions, duration and required renditions. A file with an accepted format or resolution can still fail another requirement.

Build a checklist for each delivery path

Create one checklist per supplier, placement and delivery method. Note whether the supplier receives an uploaded file or a third-party VAST tag. Record the accepted duration, aspect ratio, dimensions, codec, frame rate, video bitrate, audio codec and bitrate, sample rate, channel layout and loudness target. Add file-size limits, caption handling, required renditions and secure-hosting rules where applicable.

Published requirements differ. Nine’s 9Now in-stream page specifies 25 fps and −24 LKFS loudness and separates Nine-hosted MP4 delivery from third-party hosted VAST delivery.

Amazon’s Streaming TV and Prime Video page lists 16:9 video and a minimum frame size of 1920 × 1080. It gives different minimum video bitrates for Prime Video and other listed supply.

Nine’s 9Now In-Stream Video Delivery Checklist

Amazon Prime Video vs Other Streaming TV Ad Specifications

Inspect the export and watch it

Check the exported file’s properties rather than relying on editing-timeline settings. Confirm dimensions, aspect ratio, frame rate and actual run time, including any black lead-in or tail. Watch for accidental cropping or formatting that obscures the message, and check for duplicate or interlaced frames where the destination disallows them.

Measure the finished audio mix against the booked loudness requirement and inspect its codec, bitrate, sample rate and channels. Listen for clipped speech, music masking the message and abrupt changes in level. Nine’s −24 LKFS figure should not be applied to another publisher without checking that publisher’s specification.

Review captions in the form that will be delivered. Nine says closed captions are unsupported for its 9Now in-stream path and directs advertisers to place required captions or subtitles in the video.

For embedded captions, inspect spelling, timing, contrast and possible overlay coverage. W3C describes open captions as dialogue and important sounds embedded as text in the video.

Key CTV Audio and Visual Requirements Across Platforms

Check the tag and submit the intended version

For VAST delivery, confirm the version accepted by the destination and inspect the media files the tag can return. Nine lists VAST 2.0 and 3.0 for its third-party hosted path.

IAB Tech Lab defines VAST as an ad-serving XML schema. A valid schema alone does not establish that the asset will play or receive publisher approval.

Submit the exact file or tag intended for the campaign. Keep its version, the specification used and any rejection or correction together. Obtain the supplier’s acceptance status and a placement preview before treating delivery as ready.

Pre-Delivery Validation Process for CTV Ads