Gotham CCSL — Platform Requirements
Know What Every
Platform Requires.
Every major streaming platform and distributor publishes its own technical specifications for CCSL and spotting documentation. We know every one of them — and we build your deliverables to match.
Why It Matters
Non-Compliant Deliverables Get Rejected
Every major streaming platform maintains a detailed technical specification for the documentation it accepts at delivery. These specs cover file format, timecode standard, frame rate, character encoding, column structure, and more. A document that doesn't meet spec is rejected — regardless of how good the content is.
Rejections at the delivery stage are costly. They delay your release date, trigger revision fees, and create friction with the distributor relationship you've spent months building. The only way to avoid them is to know the spec before you start — and build to it from the first frame.
- Every platform has its own unique CCSL specification
- Timecode standards vary — SMPTE 23.976, 24, 25, and 29.97fps all in use
- Column structures and formatting differ platform to platform
- Spotting list requirements change independently of CCSL specs
- Gotham CCSL stays current with every platform's latest requirements
Platform 01 — Netflix
Netflix CCSL Requirements
Netflix maintains some of the most detailed and strictly enforced delivery specifications in the industry. A CCSL is mandatory for all original content and acquisitions — and must be produced to Netflix's exact formatting and timecode requirements to pass their QC process.
- Full continuity script required — every word of dialogue, action lines, and on-screen text
- Subtitle and dubbing cues with frame-accurate in and out timecodes
- Character names must match Netflix-approved cast list exactly
- On-screen text including titles, chyrons, and graphics must be logged
- Music cues logged with start and end timecodes
Platform 02 — Amazon
Amazon Prime Video CCSL Requirements
Amazon Prime Video operates one of the largest international content libraries in the world. Its delivery specifications reflect that global reach — with strict requirements for localization documentation that support dubbing and subtitling pipelines across dozens of languages and territories.
A CCSL and Dialogue Spotting List are both required for content entering Amazon's international distribution pipeline. Documentation must be frame-accurate and formatted to Amazon's current spec to pass their automated and manual QC checks.
- Full continuity script with all dialogue, action lines, and on-screen text
- Dialogue Spotting List required for all dubbed language versions
- Character names consistent with Amazon-approved materials
- All music cues logged with timecodes and composition details
- On-screen text and foreign language inserts must be transcribed and translated
Platform 03 — Apple TV+
Apple TV+ CCSL Requirements
Apple TV+ is known for its prestige original programming and its correspondingly exacting technical delivery standards. Of all the major platforms, Apple's specifications are among the most precisely defined and strictly enforced — leaving no room for approximation or interpretation.
A CCSL is mandatory for all Apple TV+ acquisitions and originals. Apple's QC process is thorough — documents that deviate from their formatting specifications, even in minor ways, are returned for revision before delivery can proceed.
- Full continuity script to Apple's exact column and formatting specification
- Zero tolerance for timecode inaccuracies — frame-perfect accuracy required
- All on-screen text, graphics, and foreign language inserts fully logged
- Music cues with full composition and licensing details
- Spotting list required for every dubbed language version
Platform 04 — Additional Platforms
Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+ & More
Beyond the top three platforms, a growing number of streaming services, broadcast networks, and VOD distributors now require CCSL and spotting documentation as a standard part of their delivery package. Every platform has its own specification — and those specs are updated regularly.
Gotham CCSL works across all major platforms and distributors. If your platform is not listed here, contact us — we will confirm the current specification and build your documents to match.
Hulu
Streaming — US Market
- CCSL required for all acquisitions
- SMPTE timecoded to locked cut
- Spotting list for dubbed versions
- Accessibility deliverables required
Disney+
Streaming — Global
- CCSL mandatory — strict formatting
- Frame-accurate timecodes required
- Spotting list for all dubs
- AD script required for originals
Paramount+
Streaming — Global
- CCSL required for delivery
- SMPTE timecode standard
- Dialogue spotting for localization
- Expedited turnaround available
HBO Max
Streaming — Premium
- CCSL mandatory — premium spec
- Full continuity script required
- Spotting list for all territories
- Music cue logging required
MUBI
Streaming — Arthouse
- CCSL required for acquisitions
- Subtitling cue sheet accepted
- Spotting list for dubbed versions
- Expedited turnaround available
Your Platform
All Distributors & Broadcasters
- Not listed here? Contact us
- We confirm the current spec
- Build to your distributor's requirements
- No platform too niche or regional
Platform 05 — Festival & International
Festival & International Sales Requirements
The festival and international sales circuit has its own distinct documentation requirements — often tighter deadlines and less standardized specs than the streaming platforms. A CCSL prepared for festival submission needs to be complete, accurate, and delivered fast.
For international sales, a Dialogue Spotting List is the critical first document — it's what foreign dubbing studios and subtitling houses use to begin localization. Getting it right at this stage protects every territory deal downstream.
Major Film Festivals
Cannes, Sundance, TIFF, Berlin, and Venice all require a CCSL as part of their technical delivery package. Deadlines are fixed and non-negotiable — rush turnaround is available from Gotham CCSL for festival submissions.
International Sales & Licensing
Sales agents moving titles into new territories need a Dialogue Spotting List as the foundation document for all dubbing and subtitling work. Without it, localization cannot begin — and territory deals stall.
Theatrical Distribution
Theatrical distributors — both domestic and international — require a CCSL for DCP delivery packages. Frame-accurate timecodes are essential for subtitle and caption synchronization in theatrical exhibition.
Broadcast & VOD
Regional broadcasters and VOD platforms across Europe, Asia, and Latin America maintain their own CCSL specifications. Gotham CCSL builds to each broadcaster's current spec — contact us with your territory and we confirm requirements.
Festival deadline approaching? Rush turnaround is available. Contact us with your submission date and we will confirm whether we can meet it.
Compliance Checklist
What Every Compliant CCSL Must Include
Regardless of platform, every compliant CCSL and spotting document shares a core set of requirements. Here is what Gotham CCSL verifies on every single deliverable before it leaves our hands.
CCSL Requirements
Combined Continuity & Spotting List
- Full continuity script — every word of spoken dialogue verbatim
- Action lines — all significant on-screen action described
- On-screen text — titles, chyrons, graphics, signs, and inserts
- SMPTE timecodes — frame-accurate in and out for every cue
- Music cues — logged with start, end, and composition details
- Character names — consistent with approved cast list
- Foreign language dialogue — transcribed and translated
Spotting List Requirements
Dialogue Spotting List
- Every dialogue line with precise in and out timecodes
- Character identification on every cue
- Lip-sync notes for close-up dialogue shots
- Off-screen vs on-screen designation for each cue
- Overlapping dialogue clearly flagged and separated
- Non-dialogue sounds logged where relevant to dubbing
Technical Requirements
All Platforms
- Locked picture cut — all work from final approved edit
- Correct frame rate — matched to deliverable spec
- Start timecode — matched to platform's reel start requirement
- File format — Excel and PDF unless platform specifies otherwise
- Character encoding — UTF-8 for international characters
Every Gotham CCSL deliverable is checked against this list before delivery. If it doesn't pass our internal QC, it doesn't leave our hands.
Request a Compliant CCSLWhy Gotham CCSL
We Know Every Platform. Every Time.
Platform specifications change. New requirements are issued. Formatting standards evolve. Gotham CCSL stays current with every platform so your deliverables are always built to the latest spec — without you having to track it yourself.
Always Current Specifications
Platform specs are updated regularly — sometimes without notice. We monitor every major platform's requirements and update our templates and processes to match. Your documents are always built to the current standard.
Zero Rejections on Delivery
Every document we produce passes our internal QC checklist before it leaves our hands. We have never had a CCSL rejected by a platform for non-compliance — and we intend to keep it that way.
Fast Turnaround When It Counts
Standard delivery in 7–10 business days. When a platform deadline or festival submission is pressing, rush turnaround is available — contact us with your date and we will confirm whether we can meet it.
Any Platform, Any Territory
From the major US streamers to regional broadcasters in Europe, Asia, and Latin America — if your distributor requires a CCSL or spotting list, we know the spec and we can deliver to it.
Philip Kotur
CCSL Specialist — Gotham CCSL
Philip Kotur is a New York-based post-production documentation specialist with extensive experience producing platform-compliant CCSLs and Dialogue Spotting Lists for Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, and all major international distributors. Every project is handled personally — there is no junior team, no outsourcing, no shortcuts.
Gotham CCSL delivered a flawless document on a very tight deadline. The CCSL was accepted by Netflix without a single revision request. I won't use anyone else.
Paul McGuire
Producer
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Response within 1 business day ⎯ No minimum project size ⎯ Rush turnaround available