FreeTV Australia introduces new audio standard
To avoid the excessive loudness contrasts in soundtracks that can be annoying to consumers, FreeTV Australia has introduced a new international standardisation of sound measurement and metering.
As of July 2012, FreeTV Australia has moved to bring the metering of soundtracks broadcast in Australia into line with the new international loudness based standards currently enforced in Europe, the US and other parts of the world.
The new standard, published by FreeTV Australia as Operational Practice OP-59, is based on the perceived loudness of the soundtrack as apposed to the current standards (OP-48) which are based on electrical level of the audio signal.
Basically the new standards have been put in place to combat viewer complaints of jumps in audio levels between advertisements, station promos, television programs, movies etc.
Currently Australia is in a crossover period between the old and new standards but as of January 1st 2013, full compliance to the new standards will be required by broadcasters.
From November 1st FreeTV will start implementing the loudness based metering in their workflow for content due to be broadcast in 2013, any television broadcast content already mixed and supplied for broadcast pre November 1st 2012 may not comply with the new standard.
- All content intended for broadcast will need to be compliant by 1st January 2013
- The apparent level / loudness of soundtracks will sound softer than the previous standard
- Any content being re-broadcast in 2013 will need to be re-mixed or adjusted in level to comply with the new standard
The Australian television broadcasters are initiating a compliance regime to enforce the international standard via OP59 and all production facilities were asked to –
- Start the implementation of OP59 in the production of television soundtracks in July 2012
- Be compliant by January 2013
Click here to download OP-59 here – OP59_Measurement_and_management_of_Loudness_in_Soundtracks_for_Television_Broadcasting_-_Issue_1_-_July_2010.pdf
3 Comments
This story is a complete beat up. If you phone Free TV Australia and ask to speak to their engineering department, they will tell you they know nothing about it! In fact, they had to google this article because they were getting so many phone calls! It’s only a recommendation, and no matter how much Adstream want to boost their revenue by getting agencies to re-submit all their TVCs for 2013, it’s business as usual in Perth and OP48 all the way!
This is not a beat-up, and it is nothing to do with Adstream. From January 1 all TV shows mixed in Australia will be compliant, as will all imported material. If not, the network will adjust it on injest. If you continue to mix to OP48 your material will be up to 6-8 dB too high, and will be pulled down accordingly. Best to mix to the new standard (-24dB LKFS, -2dBFS True Peak) so you are in charge, rather than some junior injest operator at the station.
Commercials are already generally much louder than programs, which is why program mixers have been forced to push everything higher and higher. The new standard (and it is international) breaks that cycle. Everything will now be the same loudness going to air, irrespective of level.
OP48 was always pretty meaningless – finally we have a meaningful standard to mix to. Suggest you get a BS-1770-compliant meter and check it out.
ABC is yet to comply.