Streaming SVOD Guide
Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon, Apple TV+, and Max — all in one place. Every platform has different loudness targets, HDR requirements, and caption formats. Most rejections happen because teams assume specs are the same.
The Multi-Platform Delivery Problem
No single master file can simultaneously pass all 6 streaming platforms. Netflix requires dialogue-gated loudness (-27 LKFS) while everyone else uses integrated (-23 to -24 LKFS). Apple TV+ requires ProRes 4444 XQ while Amazon penalizes full-range ProRes. Caption formats are completely different across platforms. Pipewright generates platform-specific pre-flight reports for each destination.
Dialogue-gated measurement differs from all other platforms — mix for Netflix OR others, not both from same master.
Pipewright catches
±0.4 LU loudness window is the tightest of any platform. Measurement method (full file vs first-frame-of-action) causes real-world rejections even when mixer thinks file is in spec.
Pipewright catches
Black bars (letterbox or pillarbox) are a hard rejection. Also: Hulu requires separate SDH and subtitle files — combining them in one file causes rejection.
Pipewright catches
ProRes full-range YCbCr = automatic rejection (explicitly documented by Amazon Studios). Gamma mismatch (Rec.709-A vs Rec.709 gamma 2.4) causes visual QC failure invisible to home viewing.
Pipewright catches
The most demanding platform. Atmos must be authentic (multi-track source, not upmixed). True peak is -1 dBTP (not -2). Captions must be iTT format (not TTML, not SRT). ProRes must be 4444 XQ 12-bit (not 422 HQ).
Pipewright catches
EIDR registration required for all Originals. Without an EIDR ID in metadata, delivery is held. Loudness tolerance was tightened from ±2 to ±1 LU in 2025 — causing re-deliveries.
Pipewright catches
Optimize for Netflix (-27 LKFS dialogue-gated)
Dialogue-gated measurement produces different integrated values. The same master will measure louder or quieter when measured as integrated. Netflix mixes are typically 3–5 LKFS quieter when measured integrated.
Use ProRes 422 HQ for Apple TV+
Apple TV+ requires ProRes 4444 XQ 12-bit. ProRes 422 HQ is fine for Amazon, Disney+, and Hulu — but Apple TV+ Originals mandate 4444 XQ.
Deliver SRT captions for all platforms
Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ do not accept SRT for original content. Netflix requires TTML, Disney+ requires TTML/IMSC, Apple TV+ requires iTT (its own format).
Use single loudness master for all SVOD
Netflix's -27 LKFS dialogue-gated target produces a different result than -24 LKFS integrated used by all other platforms. One master cannot simultaneously pass all loudness specs without platform-specific re-exports.
Export ProRes with full-range YCbCr
Amazon explicitly documents this as an automatic rejection. Fine for other platforms. The ffprobe color_range flag (pc vs tv) is the tell.
Skip EIDR registration for quick delivery
Max requires EIDR ID in metadata for all Originals. EIDR registration takes time and cannot be done retroactively in the package — it's a pre-delivery process step.