What’s the Library?
The Clearcast Library is a centralised library of final clocked, broadcast-quality TV and VoD ads that feeds into the Clearcast CopyCentral system for final clearance. Where the asset will be fully QC’d for broadcast.
Broadcast-ready videos will be used for clearance, so the content cleared is always the content aired, saving you time down the line. With the Library, you can upload an asset once and never have to touch it again.
The arrival of the Library will affect where you upload your final clocked ad and its related metadata. However, the fundamental structure of ad clearance isn’t changing; CopyCentral will continue to be the home of scripts and rough-cuts.
When do I need to start using the Library?
We are doing a staggered roll-out this spring and summer at a time that suits you. We aim to have everyone on board by the autumn.
What can I do to be ready for the Library?
To use the Library, a person of authority in your organisation will need to sign our T&Cs and get registered. Please contact helpdesk@clearcast.co.uk to get these T&Cs sent to your agency.
In the meantime, you can also take a look at useful materials, like our FAQs and file specs below. We also have a microsite for those of you keen to learn even more about this exciting new system and the benefits it will bring to the advertising industry.
What has changed?
The fundamental structure of ad clearance isn’t changing. CopyCentral will continue to be the home of copy clearance, but you’ll upload your final clocked ads to the Library, which will bring improvements to the clearance process, like automated technical checks with immediate results.
Will this affect the existing clearance process? And if so, how?
The existing clearance process will remain broadly the same, especially as we are onboarding agencies through a staggered approach for now. Your stage one (Script) and stage two (rough cut) versions of your ad will still go through CopyCentral, and you will still have the same Clearcast contact guiding you through the process as before. The main change is for stage three (TVC/clocked ads), which will now be uploaded onto The Library. There will be different specs and your final ad will pass through slightly different Quality Checks, rather than the automatic transcoding system on CopyCentral.
Although all clocked ads will need to be uploaded to the Library, a clocked version will also automatically be generated in our existing CopyCentral system and cleared in the normal way through your normal account manager.
Do I still need to use Clearcast’s CopyCentral system?
Yes, the Clearcast CopyCentral system is still where all communication and questions around clearance need to be completed and reviewed. Your final approval/restrictions will be available on the according material's page on The Library.
Will I require a separate login?
Yes, the Library is a new system and you will require a separate login. Please contact helpdesk@clearcast.co.uk to set up your agency and your user accounts. If your agency is already set up on The Library, please contact your Organisation Admin to add you directly themselves.
If I want to amend my ad after it's been submitted, can I do this?
Once the copy has been accepted by the Library, it cannot be changed. Any amendments will require a new ad to be submitted, no matter how seemingly minor.
How much will the new service cost?
For clearance, there won’t be any cost to upload to the Library, just as before. Optional services such as Fast Track, Edit to Clear, and TV Admin, are paid for, and if you would like to know more about delivery through The Library, please contact the delivery team at delivery@clearcast.co.uk.
How do we make a submission during the changeover?
Any new final ad submissions from the date your organisation has come on board will need to be made through the Library. However, you can still submit your scripts and rough-cuts through the CopyCentral system, as there are no changes to this part of the process.
Are there different tech specs?
The Library has a different QC process than CopyCentral, which makes sure the final clocked ad is as close to broadcaster specifications as possible. The new tech specifications can be found here. The Library Tech Spec.pdf
One thing to note is that The Library requires a specific format, whereas CopyCentral was less specific in terms of clock slate and freeze frames. To pass the Duration QC, each file will need: a seven second clock slate, a three second black screen, then the main ad, and then a five second freeze frame. These are according to the specs UK Broadcasters require, which are in line with DPP standards. The Library is designed with the channels we clear for in mind.