Audio

Release: 1.3 | December 02, 2025

Component Audio Tracks

• Component audio tracks must be delivered independently of the Original Production Language Master.
• Component audio tracks must only contain one Soundfield group per file. Example: A component audio delivery consisting of 2.0 (stereo) and 5.1 (surround) must be contained within two independent files (one for 2.0 and one for 5.1).
• Each Soundfield group must be arranged into a single track. e.g. 5.1 would be a single track with 6 channels.
• Content with 5.1 surround must be provided with a separate corresponding 2.0 track.
• Audio must be delivered as Linear PCM with Sample bit Depth (24 bit) and Sample Rate (48kHz).
• Audio must conform (be synchronous) with the Primary Language Master.
• Padding at the top is not required, if padding is included it must either match the Master Composition or must not exceed 5s.
• Padding at the tail should not be included, if padding is included it must match the Master Composition.

Component audio tracks must be delivered as either Broadcast WAVE Format (MBWF / RF64) or Material Exchange Format (MXF).

Broadcast WAVE Format

• Aligned with primary video SOM (01:00:00:00)
  • Padding is not required; if padding is included, it must not exceed 5s at the Head of the program. Padding at the Tail must not be present
• Including TimeReference timecode synchronous with Original Production Language Master
• Valid channel configurations: (2.0: L, R or Lt, Rt, M1, M2) or (5.1 Surround: L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs,)

Material Exchange Format

• File format inside MXF must be BWF
• Including SMPTE timecode track aligned & synchronous with Original Production Language Master
• Channels labeled in the file metadata using Multichannel Audio Labeling as specified in SMPTE ST 377-4:2012
• Valid channel configurations: (2.0: L, R or Lt, Rt, M1, M2) or (5.1 Surround: L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs,)

Audio Loudness

The finished full mix tracks of any program or element must have an average overall loudness and average dialog-gated loudness level of -24 LKFS/LUFS (plus or minus 2 dB), as measured using a meter compliant with ITU-1770-3 and ITU-R BS.1770-4.

Production partners must use Dolby’s dialog intelligence to create audio mixes that allow WBD’s viewers to clearly hear and understand the dialog, narration, and other spoken language. Music and effects in a program must not drown out spoken language or make it difficult for viewers to understand.

• Dialog-gated target average loudness for program audio must be ∑ -24 LKFS +/- 2 dB (minus LFE if applicable).
• The loudness range must not exceed 20 LUFS (dynamics processing should be applied as needed).
• True Peak must not exceed -2 dBTP (dynamics processing should be applied as needed).
• Overall target average loudness for program audio should be ∑ -24 LKFS +/- 2 dB (minus LFE if applicable).

Release History

v1.3 December 02, 2025

1. Added Audio Loudness.

v1.2 April 13, 2022

1. Changed 'WarnerMedia' to 'Warner Bros. Discovery'

v1.1 May 14, 2021

1. Added padding language (at the top/tail) to the Component Audio Tracks Section
2. Moved DVS section to under the Audio Track Layout sections of the Licensed Content (SDR) / Originals (SDR) Specifications
3. Added channel configuration to MXF