Clearance is a three stage process across two platforms: CopyCentral and The Library, both of which you will need logins for. All stages must be completed, even if your ad is already made.
STAGE ONE – SCRIPT (IN COPYCENTRAL):
STAGE TWO – ROUGH CUT (IN COPYCENTRAL):
STAGE THREE – CLOCKED (IN THE LIBRARY):
If your company hasn't used Clearcast before just fill in and return our registration form.
If your company has already signed up to CopyCentral and/or The Library, then they will have a super-user who is responsible for setting up new users. Email help@clearcast.co.uk if you want help on finding out who your agency super-users are.
Your Clearcast contact is the best person to assist you. You will be assigned a contact when you register with us which will be sent in an email. If your contact is on annual leave or ill from the office, their work will be covered, and so contact us to find out who you can speak to in the meantime.
If you are looking for technical help, such as needing help with uploading onto CopyCentral or the Library, or wanting further clarification of failed transcode or QC, please contact the helpdesk.
Clearances are free, as long as:
Teleshopping ads longer than five minutes are charged at standard rates. We charge for other adverts on a case-by-case basis.
It depends on how complex the ad is, but we always aim to meet our service levels.
Typically, the rule of thumb is to leave as much time as possible for clearance and also provide us with substantiation/evidence for claims ahead of being asked. However, for a more accurate timeframe, depending on the complexity of your ad, the average approval time is between two – three weeks. We will be able to give you a much better timeframe after we have a finalised script and all of your substantiation.
No, Clearcast approval is not required for Video on Demand (VOD) advertising in the UK. However, VOD ads must comply with the same advertising regulations and standards as broadcast ads. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for regulating all advertising in the UK, including VOD advertising.
Clearcast is owned and funded by the major UK broadcasters, which means we only clear ads to be aired by those broadcasters. See the channels for which we clear ads.
We are happy to offer our services to broadcasters wishing to use them. Email help@clearcast.co.uk to discuss if you are a broadcaster wanting to use our clearance services.
Depending on whether you have submitted your script, rough cut, or clocked ad, you will have submitted it to either CopyCentral (for your script or rough cut) or The Library (for your clocked/final ad). On either one, you will be able to see the stage of your file.
On CopyCentral, you will see:
On The Library, you will see:
When input from a specialist consultant is required, we do our best to work with them as quickly as possible. Typically, it takes up to two weeks or so. However, this does depend on the how complex the issue is and how complete your supporting evidence is.
Timing restrictions help make sure an advert is only shown at a time that is appropriate to its content.
For instance, some ads may only be shown outside programmes that are mainly watched by children - others may only be shown after the adult watershed.
Some ads are given a 'post 1930' restriction. This is often applied to ads that contain moderate references to sex, violence or harmful behaviour.
Learn more about timing restrictions
'Ex-kids' or 'PK' means that the ad will not be broadcast before, after or during children's programmes. These include both programmes aimed specifically at children, and those with a high proportion of child viewers.
This is not a timing restriction. It just applies to the type of programme being broadcast.
For more advice about the ex-kids restriction, please get in touch with your Clearcast contact.