This page provides news rich media guidelines for the Lightbox, Athena, branded hero, immersive mid-responsive, interscroller, miniscroller, native, social cards, expandable rectangles, billboards, filmstrips, and video wallpapers.
Contact @NBC Uni Specs & Guidelines
Sites accepted | NBC News, CNBC, Today, MSNBC |
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Dimensions | |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | |
Max expandable creative size | Standard IAB (300x250, 300x600, 970x250) + LIGHTBOX with content (e.g., < 10 dynamic articles and carousel) |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | |
Max animation duration | Animation: 15 seconds Video: 30 seconds
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Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | User initiated |
Hot spots | |
Close button requirement | |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | 6,000,000+ |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 20 to 40 |
Memory usage | 3000K |
Tags/tracking options | Production by NBCU-preferred vendor Layered PSD, vector logo, creative styling, and direction 1x1 tracking pixels and click-trackers SSL compliant HTTPS secure tags
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Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags; all tags must be secure When the user’s browser does not support creative functionality (i.e., Flash, HTML5), a standard image file must be provided Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop-ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Max 3 revisions per creative We cannot accept blocking tags
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Sites accepted | NBC News, CNBC, Today |
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Dimensions | Click here for additional specs & Athena offerings |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | Vox |
Max expandable creative size | N/A |
File types/formats | Static/HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | Varies by size |
Additional file weight | Varies by size |
Max animation duration | Animation: 15 seconds Video: 30 seconds
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Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | Auto-collapsed per user every 10 minutes |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Video | VAST |
Additional requirements | Turnaround times for production: Template execution, with assets delivered to spec: 3-5 business days. Non-template executions, requiring resizing or asset creation: 5-7 business days Revisions: 2 business days
Max 3 revisions per creative We cannot accept blocking tags Video units Video units share the same PSDs as the Athena Static, but should include a video asset that meets spec Functionality: First click plays the video, second click moves to the advertiser site, third click plays the video again Screen reader support enabled
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Sites accepted | NBC News, CNBC, Today, MSNBC |
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Dimensions | Edge-to-edge Height 250 pixels
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Approved 3rd-party vendors | Interpolls |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | 2.2 MB (subsequent user initiated load) |
Max animation/video duration | 10 seconds, if no user interaction |
Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | User initiated |
Hot spots | |
Close button requirement | |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 Script calls on load: Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 20 to 40 |
Memory usage | 3000K |
Tags/tracking options | Certified 3rd-party tags |
Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags, all tags must be secure Expansion must be user initiated User initiation is the willful act of a user to engage with an ad. Users may interact by clicking on the ad and/or rolling over an ad (or a portion of an ad). For the purposes of these guidelines, a roll-over is defined as a willful pause of the user’s cursor on the target portion of the creative (i.e., the “hot spot”), with such pause lasting at least 1 second in duration before an action may be initiated by the ad (i.e., trigger an expand). This pause/delay prevents unwanted user initiated actions and false reporting of user engagement.
We cannot accept blocking tags Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Ad unit content must be clearly distinguishable from normal webpage content (i.e., ad unit must have clearly defined borders and not be confused with normal page content) Max 3 revisions per creative
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Sites accepted | CNBC |
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Dimensions | 5x5 ad slot |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | Interpols |
Max expandable creative size | N/A |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | 2.2 MB (subsequent user-initiated load) |
Max animation duration | 10 seconds, if no user interaction |
Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | User initiated |
Hot spots | |
Close button requirements | |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 20 to 40 |
Memory usage | 3000K |
Tags/tracking options | |
Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags, all tags must be secure Expansion must be user initiated User initiation is the willful act of a user to engage with an ad. Users may interact by clicking on the ad and/or rolling over an ad (or a portion of an ad). For the purposes of these guidelines, a roll-over is defined as a willful pause of the user’s cursor on the target portion of the creative (i.e., the “hot spot”), with such pause lasting at least 1 second in duration before an action may be initiated by the ad (i.e., trigger an expand). This pause/delay prevents unwanted user-initiated actions and false reporting of user engagement.
We cannot accept blocking tags Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Ad unit content must be clearly distinguishable from normal webpage content (i.e., ad unit must have clearly defined borders and not be confused with normal page content) Max 3 revisions per creative
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Sites accepted | NBCNews, Today, and CNBC (mobile only) |
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Dimensions | 300x250 |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | Celtra |
Max expandable creative size | N/A |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | 2.2 MB (subsequent user-initiated load) |
Max animation duration | 10 seconds, if no user interaction |
Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | User initiated |
Hot spots | |
Close button requirement | |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 20 to 40 |
Memory usage | 3000K |
Tags/tracking options | Certified 3rd-party tags |
Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags, all tags must be secure Expansion must be user initiated User initiation is the willful act of a user to engage with an ad. Users may interact by clicking on the ad and/or rolling over an ad (or a portion of an ad). For the purposes of these guidelines, a roll-over is defined as a willful pause of the user’s cursor on the target portion of the creative (i.e., the “hot spot”), with such pause lasting at least 1 second in duration before an action may be initiated by the ad (i.e., trigger an expand). This pause/delay prevents unwanted user-initiated actions and false reporting of user engagement.
We cannot accept blocking tags Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Ad unit content must be clearly distinguishable from normal webpage content (i.e., ad unit must have clearly defined borders and not be confused with normal page content) Max 3 revisions per creative
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Sites accepted | Mobile only: Desktop & mobile: |
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Dimensions | 300x250 |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | Celtra |
Max expandable creative size | N/A |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | 2.2 MB (subsequent user-initiated load) |
Max animation duration | 10 seconds, if no user interaction |
Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | User initiated |
Hot spots | |
Close button requirement | |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 20 to 40 |
Memory usage | 3000K |
Tags/tracking options | Certified 3rd-party tags |
Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags; all tags must be secure |
Sites accepted | NBCNews, Today, MSNBC, CNBC |
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Dimensions | For CNBC only Traditional native sizes: 2x2, 315x90 Standard ROS sizes: 728x90, 300x250, 300x600
For the rest of news: Today: 2x2 MSNBC: 2x2 NBCNews: 2x2
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Approved 3rd-party vendors | Polar |
Max expandable creative size | N/A |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | 2.2 MB (subsequent user-initiated load) |
Max animation duration | 10 seconds, if no user interaction |
Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | User initiated |
Hot spots | |
Close button requirement | |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 20 to 40 |
Memory usage | 3000K |
Tags/tracking options | No 3rd-party tracking allowed |
Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags, all tags must be secure Expansion must be user initiated User initiation is the willful act of a user to engage with an ad. Users may interact by clicking on the ad and/or rolling over an ad (or a portion of an ad). For the purposes of these guidelines, a roll-over is defined as a willful pause of the user’s cursor on the target portion of the creative (i.e., the “hot spot”), with such pause lasting at least 1 second in duration before an action may be initiated by the ad (i.e., trigger an expand). This pause/delay prevents unwanted user-initiated actions and false reporting of user engagement.
We cannot accept blocking tags Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Ad unit content must be clearly distinguishable from normal webpage content (i.e., ad unit must have clearly defined borders and not be confused with normal page content) Max 3 revisions per creative
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Sites accepted | NBCNews, Today, MSNBC, CNBC |
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Dimensions | 5x5 |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | Polar |
Max expandable creative size | N/A |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200k |
Additional file weight | 2.2 MB (subsequent user-initiated load) |
Max animation duration | 10 seconds, if no user interaction |
Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | User initiated |
Hot spots | |
Close button requirement | |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user Initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 20 to 40 |
Memory usage | 3000K |
Tags/tracking options | No 3rd-party tracking allowed |
Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags, all tags must be secure Expansion must be user initiated User initiation is the willful act of a user to engage with an ad. Users may interact by clicking on the ad and/or rolling over an ad (or a portion of an ad). For the purposes of these guidelines, a roll-over is defined as a willful pause of the user’s cursor on the target portion of the creative (i.e., the “hot spot”), with such pause lasting at least 1 second in duration before an action may be initiated by the ad (i.e., trigger an expand). This pause/delay prevents unwanted user-initiated actions and false reporting of user engagement.
We cannot accept blocking tags Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Ad unit content must be clearly distinguishable from normal webpage content (i.e., ad unit must have clearly defined borders and not be confused with normal page content) Max 3 revisions per creative
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Sites accepted | NBCNews, Today, MSNBC, CNBC |
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Dimensions | 300×250 |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | Sizmek |
Max expandable creative size | 600×250 |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | 2.2 MB (subsequent user-initiated load) |
Max animation duration | 10 seconds, if no user interaction |
Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | User initiated |
Hot spots | |
Close button requirement | |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 5 to 10% |
Memory usage | 3000K |
Tags/tracking options | Certified 3rd-party tags; rich media |
Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags, all tags must be secure Expansion must be user initiated User initiation is the willful act of a user to engage with an ad. Users may interact by clicking on the ad and/or rolling over an ad (or a portion of an ad). For the purposes of these guidelines, a roll-over is defined as a willful pause of the user’s cursor on the target portion of the creative (i.e., the “hot spot”), with such pause lasting at least 1 second in duration before an action may be initiated by the ad (i.e., trigger an expand). This pause/delay prevents unwanted user-initiated actions and false reporting of user engagement.
We cannot accept blocking tags Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Ad unit content must be clearly distinguishable from normal webpage content (i.e., ad unit must have clearly defined borders and not be confused with normal page content) Max 3 revisions per creative
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Sites accepted | NBCNews, Today, MSNBC, CNBC |
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Dimensions | 970×250 |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | Celtra, Interpolls, Sizmek |
Max expandable creative size | Ad should serve as 970×250 and remain that size |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | |
Max animation duration | 10 seconds, if no user interaction |
Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | User initiated |
Hot spots | |
Close button requirement | No close button required – only noncollapsible units allowed |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 20 to 40% |
Memory usage | 3000K |
Tags/tracking options | Certified 3rd-party tags; rich media |
Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags, all tags must be secure Expansion must be user initiated User initiation is the willful act of a user to engage with an ad. Users may interact by clicking on the ad and/or rolling over an ad (or a portion of an ad). For the purposes of these guidelines, a roll-over is defined as a willful pause of the user’s cursor on the target portion of the creative (i.e., the “hot spot”), with such pause lasting at least 1 second in duration before an action may be initiated by the ad (i.e., trigger an expand). This pause/delay prevents unwanted user-initiated actions and false reporting of user engagement.
We cannot accept blocking tags Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Ad unit content must be clearly distinguishable from normal webpage content (i.e., ad unit must have clearly defined borders and not be confused with normal page content) Max 3 revisions per creative
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Sites accepted | NBCNews, Today, MSNBC, CNBC |
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Dimensions | 300×600 viewable window in which total ad size of 300×3000 scrolls (5-300×600 segments) |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | Interpolls, Sizmek, MarkIt on Demand |
Max expandable creative size | Expansion not allowed for this unit |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | |
Max animation duration | Animation: 15 seconds Video: 30 seconds
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Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | N/A |
Hot spots | Expansion not allowed for this unit |
Close button requirement | N/A |
In-banner video accepted | Yes |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | Max spike of 20 to 40% |
Memory usage | 1500K |
Tags/tracking options | Certified 3rd-party tags |
Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags; all tags must be secure For times when the user’s browser does not support creative functionality (i.e. Flash, HTML5), provide a standard image file 300×600 px We cannot accept blocking tags Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Ad unit content must be clearly distinguishable from normal webpage content (i.e., ad unit must have clearly defined borders and not be confused with normal page content) Max 3 revisions per creative
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Sites accepted | CNBC |
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Dimensions | Loads from a 970×90 and becomes a full frame video skin surrounding the page |
Approved 3rd-party vendors | Interpolls |
Max expandable creative size | 970×415 |
File types/formats | HTML5 |
Max initial file load size (includes creative & trackers) | 200K |
Additional file weight | |
Max animation duration | Animation: 15 seconds Video: 30 seconds
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Frame rate | 24 FPS |
Expansion enable | Auto-expand on first impression Should auto-collapse after 7 seconds if no user interaction User initiated upon subsequent views
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Hot spots | |
Close button requirement | Control: CloseX Font: 16 pt (21px) – 18 pt (11px) Close button on expanded pushdown, initiated by click Uninitiated expanded panel closes automatically, and collapsed ad provides expand button that can be initiated with a click
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In-banner video accepted | N/A |
Audio | Must be user initiated; default state is muted |
Z-index range | Must be lower than 4,999 |
Script calls on load | Initial: 2 or less Polite: 3 or less
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CPU usage | |
Memory usage | 5000K |
Tags/tracking options | Production by NBCU preferred vendor Layered PSD, vector logo, creative styling and direction 1×1 tracking pixels and click-trackers SSL compliant HTTPS secure tags
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Additional requirements | No 4th-party tags; all tags must be secure For times when the user’s browser does not support creative functionality (i.e., Flash, HTML5), provide a standard image file We cannot accept blocking tags Ad creative and landing pages employing exit pop ups are not permitted All ad units must have a 1 pixel black border surrounding the entire creative Max 3 revisions per creative
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Video wallpaper specs must adhere to the following business rules | This ad type can run once per 2 weeks. The size of the ad will run in proportion to the width of the respective site’s news content. The unit must initiate without any delays. Rails can be animated for 5 seconds and must then be static/disappear. Rails must fade to white as you scroll to the bottom of the page. The animated rails and pushdown must be frequency capped to 1 per user. For CNBC, the animated rails cannot be clickable.
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