The following is a proposed format for an electronic copy of station broadcast invoices to be sent to advertising agencies or their data processing services, over communication lines or via some other electronic media.  This format has been developed by Mediaocean which hereby irrevocably authorizes its use by any party.

 

The structure is based on variable-length records which are identified by record codes, separated by record delimiters, and comprised of variable length fields. The fields within records are variable length, positionally defined, and separated by field delimiters.

 

RECORD_TYPE                           RECORD CODE      COMMENTS

Agency	21	At the start of invoices for a new agency.
Station	22	At the start of invoices for a new station.
Payee	23	At the start of invoices for a new payee.
Standard Comment (Top)	24	Comment to print on all invoices above the schedule portion.
Standard Comment (Bottom)	25	Comment to print on all invoices below the schedule portion.
Invoice Header	31	One for each invoice.
Invoice Comment (Top)	32	Comment to print for this invoice above the schedule portion. Will print after any standard comments.
Schedule Line	41	One for each schedule line within an invoice.
Broadcast Detail	51	One for each actual spot.
Reconciliation Comment	52	As needed for each broadcast detail.
Schedule Comment	42	Comments associated with an individual schedule line.
Invoice Comment (Bottom)	33	Comment to print for this invoice below the schedule portion. Will print before any standard bottom comments.
Invoice Total	34	One for each invoice.
Transmission Total	12	At the end of each transmission.

 

The sequence of the records is significant. For example, a schedule line record must be followed immediately by the associated actual broadcast detail and reconciliation remark records (if any), and then by its schedule line comments (if any).

 

A typical record sequence would be-

 

Agency

Station

Payee

Standard Comments (Top)

Standard Comments (Bottom)

     Invoice Header

     Invoice Comment (Top)

          Schedule Line

               Broadcast Detail

               Broadcast Detail

               Reconciliation Comment

               Broadcast Detail

          Schedule Comment

          Schedule Line

               Broadcast Detail

               Broadcast Detail

          Schedule Line

               Broadcast Detail

     Invoice Comment (Bottom)

     Invoice Total

     Invoice Header...Invoice Total

     Invoice Header...Invoice Total

     Invoice Header...Invoice Total

Agency Header

     Invoice Header...Invoice Total

Station Header

Agency Header

     Invoice Header...Invoice Total

Transmission Total

 

The first field in each record must be a valid record code.

 

Each record must be terminated by a record delimiter.

 

A field within each record will be positional, variable length, and terminated by field delimiter - semicolon, hex 5E. Semicolons cannot appear within a field.

 

If there is no data for a given field, it still requires a delimiter to mark its position unless there are no subsequent fields in the record that contain data. A record delimiter can always be used to terminate the record after the last field that actually has data.

 

Much of the data is optional and will not be used in the currently anticipated application. Required records and fields are marked with an asterisk in the record descriptions that follow.

 

Invoices should be sorted by the agency within the station.

 

The length stated below is the maximum length for each field.

 

Dollar amount fields should not contain decimal points or commas. They must be preceded by a ‘-’ if negative.

 

The Agency record is required

21;121177;TEST AGENCY;4 CRANE AVE.;NEW YORK;NY;10007;

FIELD	AGENCY RECORD	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	*RECORD_CODE	2	AN	21
2	AGENCY_ID	8	AN	DS required: IDB number OX required: Agency Code
3	*AGENCY_NAME	25	AN	Agency name from IDB list
4	*ADDRESS_LINE_1	30	AN
5	ADDRESS_LINE_2	30	AN
6	ADDRESS_LINE_3	30	AN
7	ADDRESS_LINE_4	30	AN

The Agency Record identifies the agency for all following invoices until another Agency Record occurs.

The station record is required.

Sample :

22;VINY;T;DV;VINY-DV;10345 SOARING CIRCLE;BONITA SPRINGS;FL;34135;MKT;

FIELD	STATION_RECORD	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	*RECORD_CODE	2	AN	22
2	*CALL_LETTERS	4	AN	(willbe4numericforLC)
3	*MEDIA_TYPE	2	AN	TV, R, LC, NC, N, X
4	*BAND	2	AN	AM, FM, X, TV , SM, DV
5	STATION_NAME	30	AN
6	ADDRESS_LINE_1	30	AN
7	ADDRESS_LINE_2	30	AN
8	ADDRESS_LINE_3	30	AN
9	ADDRESS_LINE_4	30	AN
10	STATION_COMPUTER_SYSTEM	15	AN	Please see Appendix
11	STATION_GST_REGISTRATION_NUM	20	AN	For Canadian GST or HST Registration Number
12	STATION_QST_REGISTRATION_NUM	20	AN	For Canadian QST Registration Number

The Station Record identifies the Station for all the following invoices until another Station Record occurs.

The Payee record is required. Note: record can be sent with all blank fields but is required to be present.

23;;;;;;   

FIELD	PAYEE_RECORD	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	*RECORD_CODE	2	AN	23
2	NAME	30	AN	This field was previously required
3	ADDRESS_LINE_1	30	AN
4	ADDRESS_LINE_2	30	AN
5	ADDRESS_LINE_3	30	AN
6	ADDRESS_LINE_4	30	AN

The Payee Record identifies the Payee for all following invoices until another Payee Record occurs.

The standard comment (top) record is not required.

FIELD	STANDARD_COMMENT(TOP)	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	RECORD_CODE	2	AN	24
2	COMMENT	130	AN

Standard Comment records apply to all following invoices until replaced. Replacement is not line by line but for the whole set of top printing comments. In other words, once a comment set has been established and used (i.e. it has been followed by at least one Invoice Header) in order to make any changes to it you must replace the entire set. A single ‘24’ record with a zero-length comment will cancel any top printing standard comments that may be in effect. A maximum of 5 top printing standard comments may be present.

 

The standard comment (bottom) record is not required.

FIELD	STANDARD_COMMENT(BOTTOM)	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	RECORD	2	AN	25
2	COMMENT	130	AN

 

The Invoice Header record is required Sample:

31;;;ACME CORPORATION;STOVES;121216;CASH;012;INV00001;1212;121126;121214;;;;;;;Y;;100.0;;;;AHC;;STV;;;;;;;;;

FIELD	INVOICE_HEADER_RECORD	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	*RECORD_CODE	2	AN	31
2	REPRESENTATIVE	25	AN
3	SALESPERSON	25	AN
4	*ADVERTISER_NAME	25	AN
5	*PRODUCT_NAME	25	AN
6	*INVOICE_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD
7	ORDER_TYPE	15	AN	Mid Flight CL if needed
8	AGENCY_ESTIMATE_CODE	10	AN	See note 1 – not required but strongly recommended
9	*INVOICE_NUMBER	10	AN
10	*BROADCAST_MONTH	4	N	YYMM
11	INVOICE_PERIOD_START_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD
12	INVOICE_PERIOD_END_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD
13	SCHEDULE_START_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD
14	SCHEDULE_END_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD
15	CONTRACT_START_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD
16	CONTRACT_END_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD
17	BILLING_INSTRUCTIONS	25	AN
18	RATE_CARD_NUMBER	10	AN
19	AGENCY_COMMISSION_FLAG	1	AN	Y=yes, N=no
20	SALES_TAX_PERCENT	10	N	Include decimal point
21	AUDIENCE_PERCENT(FOR TAX)	10	N	Include decimal point
22	REP_ORDER_NUMBER	10	AN
23	STATION_ORDER_NUMBER	10	AN
24	STATION_ADVERTISER_CODE	8	AN
25	*AGENCY_ADVERTISER_CODE	8	AN	See note 2, – not required but strongly recommended
26	STATION_PRODUCT_CODE	8	AN
27	*AGENCY_PRODUCT_CODE	8	AN	See note 3, – not required but strongly recommended
28	STATION_CONTACT	25	AN
29	AGENCY_CONTACT	25	AN
30	DUE_DATE	6	AN	YYMMDD
31	NETWORK_FOR_LOCAL_CABLE	4	AN	Not used for Local Cable - see 51 Record. Can be used for Agency Package Code for National Cable.
32	*TRADING_PARTNER_CODE	8	AN	This is required for National Buys
33	DEAL_NUMBER	10	AN	Optional
34	REP_ID	10	AN	National Report LOC for Local
35	PACKAGE_CODE	3	N	Optional for Cable Networks
36	Reference_Invoice_Number	10	AN	The invoice being replaced
37	Reference_Invoice_Code	2	AN	The version being replaced
38	Invoice_Version_Code	2	AN	The version of the current invoice, See Note 4.
39	National_Local_Code	2	AN	N=National, L=Local(future)
40	Special_Paying_Rep_Code	3	AN	Special Paying Rep

1. For invoices to be processed at Spectra DS, the estimate field should contain a number between 1 and 250. Although this field is not marked as required, it is strongly recommended.
2. For invoices to be processed at Spectra DS, the agency advertiser code field should contain a 2 or 3 character alphanumeric code. The first two characters must be alpha or a number from 1 to 5, the third may be alpha or a number from 0 to 9 or it may be blank. Although the agency advertiser code field is not required, it is strongly recommended.
3. For invoices to be processed at Spectra DS, the agency product code field should contain a 2 or 3 character alphanumeric code where the first character must be alpha, the second and third characters can be alpha or a number from 0 to 9, or the third character can be blank. DDS agency cannot use NO, ZZZ, ALL, YES, UNA, or AAA as valid products. For piggybacks two codes should be present, separated by a space. Although the agency product code field is not required, it is strongly recommended.
4. An Invoice Version Code should not be present if the invoice has not had a version modification.

 The invoice comment(top) record is not required.

FIELD	INVOICE_COMMENT (TOP)	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	RECORD_CODE	2	AN	32
2	COMMENT	130	AN

Top printing Invoice Comments print above the Schedule lines but after any top printing Standard Comments. There is no fixed limit on their number.

Treated the same as top printing Standard Comments. Use this for an affidavit warrant.

The schedule line record is not required.

FIELD	SCHEDULE-LINE_RECORD	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	RECORD_CODE	2	AN	41
2	LINE_NUMBER	3	AN
3	DAYS_OF_WEEK	7	AN	MTWTFSS-blanking a given position means this day omitted.
4	START_TIME	4	N	HHMM – military time: If fields are
5	END_TIME	4	N	Zero filled, see comment record 42.
6	RATE_DETAIL	3	AN	Use MG for makegood; use PKG for package.
7	RATE_PER_SPOT	10	N
8	NUMBER OF SPOTS SCHEDULED FOR THIS INVOICE LINE	3	N
9	LINE_START_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD
10	LINE_END_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD
11	PLAN_CODE	10	AN
12	PACKAGE_CODE	10	AN

To handle multiple day/time period combinations on the same schedule line (e.g. Monday through Friday, 600p to 700p, Saturday 630p-730p), simply repeat the schedule line record for each combination. The line number must be the same on all repeats, but all other fields besides the days and start and end times are ignored.

 

The broadcast detail record is required.

Sample record:

51;Y;121126;1;0654;30;;3500;;;;;;;;0;00;N;;;IAD2554=100;;999;

FIELD	BROADCAST_DETAIL	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	*RECORD_CODE	2	AN	51
2	*RUN_CODE	1	AN	Y=spot ran, N=did not run
3	*RUN_DATE	6	N	YYMMDD (date of airing)
4	DAY_OF_WEEK	1	N	Monday=1, Sunday=7
5	*TIME_OF_DAY	4	N	HHMM – military (time of airing)
6	*TYPE(SPOT_LENGTH)	3	N	Seconds. For minutes: 3=30, 6=60, 12=20
7	COPY_ID	30	AN	Commercial codes – see note 1
8	*RATE	10	N	NC if spot is missed. See note 2
9	CLASS	3	AN
10	PIGGYBACK	6	N	Second split e.g. 020010=20/10
11	MAKEGOOD_DATE_1	6	N	YYMMDD-see note 3
12	MAKEGOOD_DATE_2	6	N	YYMMDD
13	MAKEGOOD_TIME_1	4	N	HHMM-military
14	MAKEGOOD_TIME_2	4	N	HHMM-military
15	MAKEGOOD_LINE	3	N	If fields are zero-filled, see remarks for record 52.
16	ADJUSTMENT_DR	10	N
17	ADJUSTMENT_CR	10	N
18	PROGRAM_DESCRIPTION	40	AN	MO – Optional.  To be used to indicate genre will only appear on the facsimile of the invoice
19	–BILLBOARD_INDICATOR	1	A	Y, N
20	-LENGTH	3	N	SECONDS
21	–VIDEO_COPY_ID	30	AN	MO – Optional, To be used to send actuals in the form of Impressions (I) and/or Ratings (R). Format is indicator + demo = value Delimiter is | See Note 1A  4A’s - SEE NOTE 1 for non-Digital
22	–AUDIO_COPY_ID	30	AN	MO – Optional, To be used to send actuals in the form of Clicks (C).  Format is indicator + demo = value Delimiter is |  See Note 1A  4A’s - SEE NOTE 1 for non-Digital
23	SERIAL_NUMBER	12	AN	MO – required for digital when available.  For
				DS send the 3 digit buyline number. To be used for matching.  Max value is 999 4A’s - Optional
24	NETWORK_for_Local_Cable	3	AN	For Local Cable Only
25	Network_Integration_Cost	10	N	Rate for Integration Charge
26	PACKAGE_for_Network_Only	3	N	Package code for the Unit

 

1a. Video Copy ID field will be to send actuals in the form of an impression and/or rating.  The delimiter for the entries in this field will be a | 

Vendors can send Impressions or ratings or both. Clicks can be sent at any time.  There can be only 1 demographic category sent on an invoice.

The format would be as follows:

Valid Entry	Definition
IAANNNN=#####	I indicates the delivery as Impressions. AANNNN defines the demo category the impressions are for. ##### indicates the impressions delivered.  The value should be to the hundreds. The maximum value is 99999 Only one impression entry per Spot. e.g. IAD2554=11233 would be interpreted as 1,123,300 impressions for AD2554
RAANNNN=###.##	R indicates the delivery as Ratings. AANNNN defines the demo category the rating is for. ###.## indicates the rating delivered.  Decimal must be indicated. The maximum value is 100.00 Only one rating entry per spot e.g. RAD2554=12.0 would be interpreted as a 12.0 rating for AD2554 Max value
C=#######	C indicates the delivery as clicks. Only one click value per spot. Click value is for the general population and not demographic-specific. The maximum value is 9999999

 

1. Twelve-character Industry Standard Commercial Identification (ISCI) code. In the case of piggybacks, there should be two commercial codes separated by a space.
2. If a spot is flagged as N in the run code and has no charge, it will show on the facsimile but will not count toward total spots and it will not convert into the agency invoice program.
3. These MAKEGOOD dates and times refer to the scheduled start and end dates and times of the line being made good.

The reconciliation remarks record is not required.

FIELD	RECONCILIATION_REMARKS	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	RECORD_CODE	2	AN	52
2	REMARKS	20	AN

Reconciliation remarks are associated with actual broadcast detail records or directly with schedule line records if there are no broadcast details for the line.

There is no fixed limit on their number.

 

The schedule comment record is not required.

FIELD	SCHEDULE_COMMENT	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	RECORD_CODE	2	AN	42
2	COMMENT	130	AN

Schedule Comments print immediately after the associated Schedule line. There is no fixed limit on their number.

The invoice comment(bottom) record is not required

FIELD	INVOICE_COMMENT(BOTTOM)	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	RECORD_CODE	2	AN	33
2	COMMENT	130	AN

Bottom printing Invoice Comments print after the schedule line but before any bottom printing Standard Comments. There is no fixed limit on their number.

 

The invoice total record is required Sample record:

34;00;161000;24150;136850;00;00;00;00;00;00;00;60;00;

FIELD	INVOICE_TOTAL	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	*RECORD_CODE	2	AN	34
2	INVOICE_CONFIRMED_COST	11	N
3	*ACTUAL_GROSS_BILLING	11	N
4	*AGENCY_COMMISSION	11	N	For Canada, Agency Commission = Agency Discount
5	*NET_DUE	11	N
6	RECONCILIATION_DR	11	N
7	RECONCILIATION_CR	11	N
8	RECONCILIATION_TOTAL	11	N
9	STATE_TAX	11	N	Canadian GST here
10	LOCAL_TAX	11	N	Canadian QST here
11	PRIOR_GROSS_BALANCE	11	N
12	PRIOR_NET_BALANCE	11	N
13	NUMBER_OF_SPOTS	11	N
14	GST(CANADA)	11	N	No longer used
15	PST(CANADA)	11	N	No longer used

 

The transmission total record is required. Sample record:

12;1;161000;

FIELD	TRANSMISSION_TOTAL	LENGTH	TYPE	COMMENTS
1	*RECORD_CODE	1	AN	12
2	NUMBER_OF_INVOICES	5	N
3	GROSS_TOTAL(ACTUAL)	11	N