Network Clearance Services

Standards and Practices is the term most American networks use for what many, especially in the creative community, refer to as the network censors.

At each of the major networks, and many of the cable networks, Standards and Practices departments review the suitability of commercials for their broadcast audience. The departments will review any legal claims in the commercial and require substantiating documentation. In addition, the departments will view the general content of the commercial to determine appropriateness for broadcast in the network’s various day parts.

Spotlight’s Network Clearance group manages the detailed task of getting clearance from of each the network’s clearance departments.

Preliminary Analysis

Before you even present the concept to your client we can review scripts, storyboards or general concepts to discuss likely points of concern, and how they may be successfully addressed.

Submission of Storyboard/Script

Presentation to the networks at this stage is critical to maximizing your investment in production. You’ll need to know what aspects of your commercial may be challenged. You may also want to develop alternate scenes, or consider different versions for different day parts based on network feedback.

Submission of Final Master

The last step in the process, the networks require review and approval of the final version of the commercial before they will allow its broadcast. At this stage we confirm the commercial’s status with each of the broadcast networks.


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	Network Clearance “With their vast experience dealing with network editors, we can count on Spotlight to guide us in meeting all network guidelines while always maintaining the integrity of the creative.” Julia Torres Bartle Bogle Hegarty, New York		Network Clearance Services Standards and Practices is the term most American networks use for what many, especially in the creative community, refer to as the network censors. At each of the major networks, and many of the cable networks, Standards and Practices departments review the suitability of commercials for their broadcast audience. The departments will review any legal claims in the commercial and require substantiating documentation. In addition, the departments will view the general content of the commercial to determine appropriateness for broadcast in the network’s various day parts. Spotlight’s Network Clearance group manages the detailed task of getting clearance from of each the network’s clearance departments. Preliminary Analysis Before you even present the concept to your client we can review scripts, storyboards or general concepts to discuss likely points of concern, and how they may be successfully addressed. Submission of Storyboard/Script Presentation to the networks at this stage is critical to maximizing your investment in production. You’ll need to know what aspects of your commercial may be challenged. You may also want to develop alternate scenes, or consider different versions for different day parts based on network feedback. Submission of Final Master The last step in the process, the networks require review and approval of the final version of the commercial before they will allow its broadcast. At this stage we confirm the commercial’s status with each of the broadcast networks.