EMA requirement: Optional
Google requirement: Required (if left 'blank', Library is the default setting)
About this column
This column is where a content owner communicates to Google what type of avail offer this is, which is necessary to inform priority and can also be used to tag offer types for tracking purposes (ex: pre-orders, early releases). If this column is left blank, the LicenseRightsDescription will be set to Library as the default setting.
The LicenseRightsDescription column has a strict and enumerated set of values, listed on the EMA Avails spec and here, along with an explanation:
Movies
New Release - indicates that the title had a theatrical or DVD release within the last 12 months. These titles will be handled with high priority.
Library - indicates that the title is a standard library title and will be handled with a lower priority than New Release titles.
Preorder EST - indicates this avail line item is a pre-order window. This can inform certain retailers to include the title in any “Available for Pre-order” collections on their storefront, if available.
Preorder VOD - indicates this avail line item is a pre-order window. This can inform certain retailers to include the title in any “Available for Pre-order” collections on their storefront, if available.
DD-Theatrical - indicates that the title is being released the same day on both digital platforms and theaters. This can inform certain retailers to include the title in any “Same Day as Theaters” collections on their storefront, if available.
Pre-Theatrical - indicates that the title is being released on digital platforms before being released in theaters. This can inform certain retailers to include the title in any “See it Before Theaters” collections on their storefront, if available.
Early EST - indicates that the title is being release on EST before it’s being released in physical form (e.g., DVD, Blu-ray). When the title is released in physical form, a new avail line item should then indicate the title is a New Release in this column.
Early VOD - indicates that the title is being release on VOD before it’s being released in physical form (e.g., DVD, Blu-ray). When the title is released in physical form, a new avail line item should then indicate the title is a New Release in this column.
DTV - indicates the avail line item is a Direct-to-Video New Release title that was not released in theaters. This is helpful to indicate that that while the title may not have a theatrical release date, it is still should be prioritized as a New Release title.
POD - indicates the avail line item is intended to be Published on Demand. These titles will be handled as high priority
Mega-Library - indicates that the title is classified as library, but is a high value title and should be prioritized above standard library titles. Commonly used for bundles
Priority Library - similar to Mega-Library, indicates that the title is classified as library, but is a high value title and should be prioritized above standard library titles.
TV
Next Day TV - indicates TV content that is set to go live the day after original broadcast
Library - indicates TV content that is set to go live when all the Episodes within a Season have been delivered and QC-approved
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Mega-Library - indicates that the title is classified as library, but is a high value title and should be prioritized above standard library titles
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Priority Library - similar to Mega-Library, indicates that the title is classified as library, but is a high value title and should be prioritized above standard library titles
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DTV - indicates the avail line item is a Direct-to-Video New Release title that was not released in theaters. This is helpful to indicate that that while the title may not have a theatrical release date, it is still should be prioritized as a New Release title
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POD - indicates the avail line item is intended to be Published on Demand. These titles will be handled as high priority
Note: These are recommended to use only if instructed by/discussed with your designated BD or Partner Manager. Generally, you should be using the value that best fits the type of content that you are intending to release.
If you are unsure of which LicenseRightsDescription value to use, please reach out to your Partner Operations contact.
Best practices
- For Movies - the most common LRDs to use are: New Release, Library, and Preorder EST
- For TV - the most common LRDs to use are: Next Day TV, Library, and Season Only
- How to indicate a title is a DTV, then later becomes a Library title:
- In-Window offer -> SD VOD avail line item: LicenseRightsDescription = DTV
- Future-Window offer -> SD VOD avail line item: LicenseRightsDescription = Library
Important for TV
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For TV content, availing with “Library” in the LRD means that content will not publish until we have received and approved all the episodes in a given season - incomplete seasons will not publish.
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For TV content, availing with “Next Day TV” in the LRD means that content will publish episodes as soon as they are approved individually, allowing them to publish before the Season is complete.
Common mistakes
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Invalid variable - using a value that isn’t in the enumerated set of values listed above will result in an error or rejection (ex: availing “NDTV” instead of "Next Day TV")
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Attempting multiple values for a single offer - multiple values in a field (An example for movie: “New Release, Pre-order EST”) will result in an error or rejection. Only a single value from the enumerated set of values listed above is accepted.