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©2026 The Ad Council
501(c)3 | EIN: 13-0417693

Radio Standards

These guidelines are built to make radio production straightforward and predictable. Please review all radio standards before submitting materials to your Campaign Manager.

Here you’ll find everything you need around spot lengths, audio requirements, credit lines, localization, and delivery. These guidelines should help you get clean, usable assets on air quickly and without revision cycles.

Reviewing the Radio Production Checklist is essential. It ensures all required specs, assets, and paperwork are included and helps avoid delays caused by missing or incomplete materials.

Download the Production Checklist

Pro Tip
Confirm spot length and credit language early in the script phase. It’s the fastest way to prevent rewrites once audio is recorded.
Required Deliverables What Not To Do Localization Radio Production Checklist

Required Deliverables

You must submit the following for each radio spot:

1. Final Mixed Spot
  • Approved lengths: :60, :30, :15
  • Final stereo-mixed radio spot as an MP3 or WAV
  • 48.000 kHz sample rate
  • Sound levels must not peak above 0
2. “Brought to You By” Credit Line
Files must include the appropriate spoken credit line:
  • :60 English:
    “A public service announcement brought to you by the (insert sponsor name here) and the Ad Council.”
  • :60 Spanish:
    “Este mensaje es patrocinado por el (insert sponsor here) y el Ad Council.”
  • :30 and shorter English:
    “Brought to you by the (insert sponsor here) and the Ad Council.”
  • :30 and shorter Spanish:
    “Patrocinado por el (insert sponsor here) y el Ad Council.” or “Un mensaje del (sponsor) y el Ad Council."
3. Split Audio Tracks
  • Stereo WAV or MP3 files, 48.000 kHz sample rate
  • Export each audio layer as a separate 2-channel file
  • Filenames must clearly identify content
Example (for one :30 spot):
  • PSA_30sec_DIA.wav
  • PSA_30sec_SFX.wav
  • PSA_30sec_Music.wav
  • PSA_30sec_VO.wav
4. Expiration Form
  • Include spot title, length, Ad-ID, date produced, and expiration date
  • Ad-IDs will be generated and provided by the Ad Council
  • Specify clearance usage on the right side of the form (especially important if spots are not approved for streaming radio, e.g., Pandora, iHeart).

What Not To Do

PSAs must not include the following:
  • Distracting or alarming sound effects, including gunshots, car crashes, or sirens
  • Extended periods of silence
  • Language that mimics emergency broadcasts, such as “Special News Bulletin” or “We interrupt this program…”

Localization

  • Create a :50/:10 or :20/:10 version for localization purposes
  • If music is used in the body of the spot, extend it through the tag
  • If delivering fully localized spots, ensure the “Brought to you by” credit line is included

Radio Spec Questions?


Please contact:
Sam Dawson at sdawson@adcouncil.org
Kelly McBride at kmcbride@adcouncil.org

Radio Production Checklist


Download this checklist to ensure all submitted materials meet Ad Council's specifications.
Please submit all masters and required forms to your Ad Council Campaign Manager.
Download The Checklist