TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE DELIVERY

OF CLOSE TO TRANSMISSION TELEVISION

PROGRAMMES
TO THE

This document outlines the technical requirements for the delivery of Television programmes via lines to
Ericsson where it is not possible to deliver a file in time from transmission .
Please note: This document will be updated regularly as the File Delivery system is updated. Please make
sure you have the latest version by checking here
Contents
1. Close to Transmission File Delivery ............................................................................................................. 3
2. Lines Delivery .................................................................................................................................................. 3
2.1. Options ...................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Contacts and Bookings .................................................................................................................................. 3
3.1. Lines bookings ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2. Lines Recording booking ......................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3. On the day play-out contacts................................................................................................................................... 4
3.4. On the day communications .................................................................................................................................... 4
3.5. Latency ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
4. Links ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
4.1. High definition uncompressed links ....................................................................................................................... 5
4.2. High definition compressed links ........................................................................................................................... 5
4.3. Standard definition compressed links .................................................................................................................... 5
4.4. Ancillary data (VANC) ............................................................................................................................................... 5
5. Audio ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
5.1. Stereo audio .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
5.2. Multi-channel audio (when required) ...................................................................................................................... 5
5.3. Audio channel allocation ......................................................................................................................................... 5
6. After Transmission .......................................................................................................................................... 6
6.1. Narrative repeat ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
6.2. All other cases .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
6.3. Content changes....................................................................................................................................................... 6
7. File or Lines? ................................................................................................................................................... 7

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1. Close to Transmission File Delivery [Provisional]
The BBC can accept file that have successfully delivered and acknowledged no later than [Speak
to the programme delivery co-ordinator}] minutes before the scheduled transmission time. To
achieve this the BBC uses a file playback system that feeds the programme as live video to its
play out provider.
This process can only be used if the following conditions are fully satisfied
• The BBC has agreed to the use of the CCTX delivery option (upload details will have been
sent on approval).
• The facility used has high speed connectivity that has been approved by the BBC for Close
to Transmission delivery.
• The delivered file is an AS-11 UK DPP HD V1,1 compliant file (or an SD compliant file).
• All the required QC reports can be delivered with the programme content.
If all the above conditions are met an email with login details and instructions will be sent.
PLEASE NOTE: If the programme cannot be successfully delivered and acknowledge by the cut
of deadline, the Producer is responsible for arranging a Lines to Air booking

2. Lines Delivery
Where a programme is produced and edited very close to its scheduled transmission time, and file
delivery is therefore not practical, delivery must be via a link or permanent line from another facility
to Ericsson.

2.1. Options
There are two options for programmes that cannot be delivered before the file cut-off deadline.
Both use lines to Ericsson but if a programme is ready earlier than transmission, it may be
possible for Ericsson to record the programme and then playback as scheduled. This option is
called “Lines Recording”.
• Lines Recording – To use this facility, the Ericsson recording must be completed no later
than twice the programme duration before the scheduled transmission time. This means the
playback of the programme must start no later than three times the programme duration. For
example a one-hour programme must start playback three hours before transmission.
Remember lines must be available 30 minutes earlier so they can be checked.
• Lines to Air - Where a programme is not ready in time for Lines Recording, the programme
will be played from the facility directly to air.

3. Contacts and Bookings

3.1. Lines bookings
Unless otherwise agreed, the usual BBC point of delivery for Lines Delivery is CCA Broadcasting
House W1. The BBC also has permanent circuits from BT tower and all other major broadcasters.
Contact the Duty Technology Manager if these are needed.
The production company is responsible for the costs of all communications and for ensuring all
circuits are booked from the source to the point of delivery.
The London Broadcasting House end of circuit bookings should be made through the BBC
Network Bookings Agency. Please note the bookings service is not 24/7 so booking should be
made as soon as possible. Commissioned series where all episodes will deliver after the file cut-
off deadline should make a block booking to cover the series.
The line should be booked into Ericsson Broadcast & Media Services / Broadcast Centre / MMO /
Lines Record Desk.

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 Contact Hours Telephone

Network Booking Agency 09:00-22:00 Monday to Friday +44 138 642 0040
09:00-19:30 Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
On the day CCA contact 24/7 +44 208 008 0600
Duty Technology 24/7 +44 208 008 4100
Managers

3.2. Lines Recording booking

The Lines must be booked before making the record booking. Lines booking will supply a CBIS
number. This will be needed to make the Lines Recording booking.

Contact Hours Telephone

Ericsson Lines Recording Team 24/7 +44 208 495 5209 or

+44 759 077 3548

3.3. On the day play-out contacts

The BBC Playout Editors are the main round-the-clock operational point of contact and all
technical enquiries affecting immediate delivery should be made to them.
For Lines Recording, the Ericsson MCR should be contacted at least 30 minutes before the
playback to check the lines. When ready for playback contact the Lines Recording team.

Contact E-Mail Hours Telephone

BBC Play-out Editors BBCTVPlayoutEditors@bbc.co.uk 24/7 +44 208 495 5001

For Live to air playback, contact the Ericsson MCR at least 30 minutes before the scheduled
transmission time to check the lines. The MCR will supply details for the communication with the
channel director unless the lines booking included a talkback circuit.

3.4. On the day communications

For Lines Recording it is acceptable to use a mobile phone although a landline is always preferred.
For Lines to Air, if it is possible to include a talkback circuit there are no additional communication
requirements unless specifically asked for by Ericsson. Programmes commissioned to deliver as
Live must use facilities with talkback capabilities.
For programmes originally delivering as a file but due to problems or re-edits have to deliver Lines
to Air, talkback is still the preferred method of communication but where a facility does not have
talkback lines, the preferred communications method is a landline phone however a mobile
number can be used as a backup.
Mobile phones can be used as the main communications path if no other option is available. It is
recommended there are two numbers, preferably on different networks.

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 3.5. Latency
Latency is only an issue for Lines to Air transmissions. Watching the channel off-air is not
advisable as the delay can be up to six seconds! There can also be a short delay when
compressed links are used. The channel director may need to “pre-run” the programme to avoid a
gap in the output. The Director will also discuss if any pre-roll needed and how long it should be.

4. Links
Links are always a trade-off between quality, cost and available bandwidth. There are two options
for the links used for programmes played from edit facilities.

4.1. High definition uncompressed links

An uncompressed link is a 1.485 Gb/s HD-SDI connection (SMPTE 292M), often known as 1.5Gbs
HD-SDI. This must remain uncompressed along its route to the point of delivery. Wherever
possible, practical, or cost-effective, programmes should use an uncompressed 1.485Gbs HD-SDI
connection.

4.2. High definition compressed links

Locations with access to already-established SD-SDI fibre connections (such as STM-1 SDH
fibres) should use compression codecs that allow HD-SDI to be transferred via SD-SDI (e.g.
JPEG2000, Dirac, etc.). This is a well-established method in the UK.
Other locations should use compression codecs that use minimum nominal video bitrates of:
• JPEG2000 - 140 Mbps.
• MPEG4, H.264, Long GOP 4:2:2 – 45 Mbps.
• MPEG2, Long GOP, 4:2:2 – 60 Mbps.

4.3. Standard definition compressed links

Where a compressed Standard Definition contribution is used, it should have a video bit rate of at
least 25Mbs MPEG2 Long GOP.

4.4. Ancillary data (VANC)

The SDI should not carry any information with the exception on Dolby metadata when discrete
multi-channel audio is required.

5. Audio
5.1. Stereo audio
In all instances where the signal can be carried uncompressed, stereo audio for the programme
should be carried as discrete linear PCM. If the signal must be carried in a compressed format,
Stereo audio should be carried as MPEG1 Layer II (stereo) at 384kbs.

5.2. Multi-channel audio (when required)

Multi-channel audio is normally Dolby E encoded unless the broadcaster requires discrete
surround audio delivery. If discrete multi-channel audio is delivered, the Dolby metadata must be
carried as ancillary data (VANC line 9). Details are given in SMPTE ST2020-1 and ST2020-2
(Method-A) must be used.

5.3. Audio channel allocation

The table below must be used for the audio channel layout. Unused audio channels should
normally be mute unless the programme is delivering other audio components to air. The position
if the additional audio must be agreed as soon as possible.
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AES Group Channels Content

1 Main Stereo L
1
2 Main Stereo R
1
3 Mute or Dolby E
2
4 Mute or Dolby E

Note: Lines must not carry Dolby E and discrete multi-channel audio.

5 Mute or Main Front L

3
6 Mute or Main Front R
2
7 Mute or Main Centre
4
8 Mute or Main LFE
9 Mute or Main Surround L
5
10 Mute or Main Surround R
3
11 Mute
6
12 Mute
13 Mute
7
14 Mute
4
15 Mute
8
16 Mute

6. After Transmission
The requirements after transmission will depend on scheduled repeats. In ALL cases an AS-11 UK
DPP HD V1.1 (or an AS-11 UK DPP SD V1.1) file must be delivered within 24 hours of
transmission.

6.1. Narrative repeat

If a programme has a scheduled repeat under 48 hours after the first transmission, Ericsson can
either keep a copy on the server if the programme was lines recorded or a recording can be
arranged across the Lines to air transmission. An AS-11 file of the programme must still be
delivered as contracted.

6.2. All other cases

In all other cases an AS-11 file must be delivered in line with the contract. In most cases, if a
programme that has a scheduled repeat other than a “Narrative Repeat”, the file must be delivered
within 24 hours.

6.3. Content changes

The programme contract states there can be NO changes to the programme that was actually
transmitted. This applies to the Editorial content only. It is expected that Producers will want to
correct errors such as spelling mistakes etc. It is up to the Producer if minor technical issues are
repaired or not but the programmes delivery co-ordinator should be contacted to confirm if the
version number should be changed.

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7. File or Lines?

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Appendix A – Version Control
BBC CLOSE TO TRANMISSION

REQUIRED /
VERSION DATE SECTION UPDATE
INFORMATION

Change of contact details for CTTX

BBC V5.0.2 07/07/17 Page 4 Information
programmes

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