As-Broadcast Script

An as-broadcast script (ABS) for TV series and documentary delivery is a transcript of the finished programme, matched to the final cut, with scene headings, basic action, speaker IDs, dialogue and time code. Broadcasters and distributors use it for captions, subtitles and translation. It’s also called an As-Produced Script (APS), an as-transmitted or transmission script, or a time-coded script. Template, format and examples below.

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What's in an as-broadcast script

Every line of your film, logged against your master. $12/min

Download the as-broadcast script sample (PDF)
As-Broadcast Script Technical Format 3 pagesDownload PDF
  1. As-Broadcast Script Technical Format, page 1 of 3
  2. As-Broadcast Script Technical Format, page 2 of 3
  3. As-Broadcast Script Technical Format, page 3 of 3
  1. 01

    Three columns Scene description, time code and dialogue, side by side.

  2. 02

    Time code on every line HH:MM:SS:FF, accurate time code that follows your master, whether it starts at 00:00:00:00 or 01:00:00:00.

  3. 03

    Scene headings and action Interior or exterior, location and time of day, and the basic action of each scene.

  4. 04

    Speaker IDs Every line with its speaker, including narrators and interviewees.

  5. 05

    On-screen text Titles, name supers and lower thirds, dates, disclaimers, logos and the main title.

  6. 06

    Music and breaks Song lyrics marked with ♪, commercial breaks, cuts to black and the end credits marked.

  7. 07

    Delivered as Word, Excel and PDF An editable Word document, an Excel sheet of the same script (sort or filter by speaker or timecode) and a PDF, in one delivery at no extra charge.Delivered as Word, Excel and PDF

  8. 08

    Checked by people Made by people: transcription, sync and QC are each done by a person.

As-Broadcast Script options to match your delivery spec

Series, episode by episode

Each episode is priced on its own runtime and delivered as soon as it's finished, with the same speaker names and style across the series.

Any frame rate

Timed at your master's frame rate (23.976, 24, 25, 29.97 fps).

Closed captions in the same order

Add closed captions and get both from one team.

How it works

  1. 1Order online in two minutesPick the service, enter your runtime, send a link to the film. An NDA signed by Caption Easy comes with every order.
  2. 23 sets of eyes on every filmMade by people: transcription, sync and QC are each done by a person.
  3. 3Preview, then pay at deliveryPreview the first few pages. Once you pay, the complete files are ready to download immediately. Your film is deleted 7 days after delivery.
  4. 4RevisionsWant something updated after delivery, such as a name spelling or a line of dialogue? Tell us and we’ll update your files at no charge.

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  • “We used Caption Easy for our feature film's SXSW premiere & our sales agent's deliverables. The service was friendly, fast & we got everything we needed.”

    Sara SeligmanSara Seligman on IMDb (opens in a new tab)Director, Hotel Cocaine · Producer, Imposters

  • “Caption Easy produced a fantastic product - the dialogue list is detailed, accurate, easy to read and in a great format. We'll definitely use them again!”

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  • “Thank you Caption Easy, we'll keep coming back.”

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Example of As-Broadcast Script

An as-broadcast script records what’s in the finished programme, line by line, against the time code of your master. Here’s the layout we deliver, with a sample you can download.

As-Broadcast Script Technical Format

The technical format is laid out in three columns, side by side:

  • Scene description: the scene heading (interior or exterior, location and time of day), the basic action, and on-screen text such as titles, name supers, lower thirds, dates and disclaimers.
  • Time code: HH:MM:SS:FF on every line, following your master, whether it starts at 00:00:00:00 or 01:00:00:00.
  • Dialogue: every line with its speaker, including narrators and interviewees, and song lyrics marked with ♪.

Commercial breaks, cuts to black and the end credits are marked where they fall, so the script follows the programme as it went to air. It works the same way for documentaries, factual and reality series, and scripted drama and comedy.

As-broadcast script technical format: scene description, time code and dialogue columns

Download the as-broadcast script sample (PDF)

As-Broadcast Script Format

The screenplay-style layout was used for scripted shows. We now deliver every as-broadcast script in the technical format above, with the same scene headings and action plus time code on every line.

Who asks for an as-broadcast script?

Broadcasters and streaming services list it in the delivery schedule for series and documentaries, often next to closed captions, and distributors send it on to buyers in other territories. Caption and subtitle teams work from it, translators use it to see who says what in each scene, and the broadcaster keeps it as the record of what went to air. Your schedule may call it an as-produced script, an as-transmitted or transmission script, or a time-coded script: it’s the same document.

As-broadcast scripts for a series

Each episode is priced on its own runtime ($265 for a half-hour episode) and delivered as soon as it’s finished, so you aren’t waiting for the whole season. Speaker names and layout stay the same from the first episode to the last. If an episode is recut after we’ve scripted it, the script for the new cut is quoted on request. You pay at delivery, with no deposit to start.

Post houses and localisation companies: we deliver per-episode scripts on your schedule, under your delivery terms.

Dialogue only, or every shot?

If your schedule asks for the dialogue without scene headings or action, a dialogue list is the lighter document. If it asks for every shot, cut by cut, you need a CCSL. Not sure? Paste your delivery spec and we’ll tell you which one it asks for.

Writing a news or radio script? This page is about the delivery document for a finished TV programme or film.

Questions about your As-Broadcast Script? Ask us

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated November 4, 2026

How much does an as-broadcast script cost?

An as-broadcast script for TV series and documentary delivery is $12/min, priced per episode on its runtime: a half-hour episode is $265, a 44-minute episode $530, a 52-minute episode $625 and a 90-minute documentary $1,080. You pay at delivery, with no deposit to start.

RuntimePrice
Trailer (up to 4 min)$145
5 to 9 min$85 + $12/min
10 to 16 min$199 flat
Over 16 min$12/min
Minimum order$145

Regular turnaround is 7 business days (rush 4 business days, $145 more). Prices are in USD. Prices updated November 2026.

How long does an as-broadcast script take?

An as-broadcast script for a TV episode or documentary takes 7 business days. Rush delivery takes 4 business days and costs $145 more. You choose rush when you order. For a series, we deliver each episode as soon as it’s finished.

What is an as-broadcast script?

An as-broadcast script (ABS) is a transcript of a finished TV programme or film, written to match the final cut, with speaker IDs, dialogue, scene headings, basic action, on-screen text and time code. It's laid out in three columns: scene description, time code and dialogue. Broadcasters and distributors use it for captions, subtitles, translation and their records.

Difference between as broadcast script and CCSL?

An as-broadcast script for TV describes the action scene by scene, while a CCSL describes every shot, cut by cut, with every shot change timed and the subtitles spotted. If your delivery schedule asks only for an as-broadcast script, you don’t need the extra detail or cost of a CCSL.

What is an As-Produced Script?

An As-Produced Script (APS) is another name for an as-broadcast script for TV and documentary delivery: a transcript of the finished programme with scene headings, action, speaker IDs and dialogue with time code. Delivery schedules also call it an as-transmitted script, a transmission script or a time-coded script. We make all of them to the same standard; if your spec uses another name, paste it into the spec checker.

Do broadcasters require an as-broadcast script?

Many broadcasters and distributors list an as-broadcast script in their delivery schedule for TV series and documentaries, often alongside closed captions. Each sets its own schedule and may call it by another name, so paste your delivery spec and we’ll show which documents it asks for. If no one has asked for one yet, you can wait until a buyer’s delivery schedule lists it.

More questions about as-broadcast scripts (12)
How do you keep your prices low?

Since 2014 we've been building and honing our own software made specially for post-production scripts and captions. It takes care of formatting, timing and the Word, Excel and PDF exports, so our team gets a running start on every film and spends its time where it counts: listening, transcribing and checking every line. Made by people: transcription, sync and QC are each done by a person. That’s how a 90-minute documentary is $1,080, and you pay at delivery.

What file format is as broadcast script delivered in?

An as-broadcast script for TV is delivered as an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) document, so changes can be made at your discretion, with Excel and PDF copies of the same script.

Does as broadcast script include continuity script?

No. An as-broadcast script for TV describes the action scene by scene, but it isn’t a shot-by-shot continuity script. If your delivery schedule asks for a continuity or a description of every shot, you need a CCSL.

What do I need to send you for an as-broadcast script?

Only the video is required for an as-broadcast script. Share it as a link (Frame.io, Vimeo, Google Drive or Dropbox, with a password if it has one), or choose a secure upload link and we’ll email it to you after you order. If you have them, a version with burnt-in timecode, the script and the credits are helpful, but none of them is required.

Does the as-broadcast script include on-screen text and lower thirds?

Yes. On-screen text such as titles, name supers and lower thirds is included, with song lyrics, commercial breaks and the end credits marked.

Can you make a script for each cut or each episode of a series?

Yes. For a TV series, each episode’s as-broadcast script is priced on its own runtime and delivered as soon as it’s finished. A script for a new cut of a programme we’ve already scripted is quoted by email.

Can I see a sample as-broadcast script?

Yes. Download the as-broadcast script sample (PDF), in the three-column technical format we deliver.

Who can make an as-broadcast script for my documentary or series?

Caption Easy makes as-broadcast scripts for TV series, documentaries and films. We’ve made post-production scripts for 12+ years (since 2014), with 1,000+ films, documentaries and TV episodes delivered, and our credits are on IMDb. Made by people: transcription, sync and QC are each done by a person.

What is the difference between broadcasting script and shooting script?

A shooting script is written before filming to plan the scenes and shots, while an as-broadcast script for TV is written afterwards to record exactly what is in the finished programme. Broadcasters and distributors ask for the as-broadcast version at delivery because it matches the master.

Do you work with post houses?

Yes. Post houses and localisation companies order as-broadcast scripts from us episode by episode for their series. Each episode is priced on its runtime ($265 for a half-hour), and you pay at delivery.

When do I pay for an as-broadcast script?

You pay for an as-broadcast script at delivery, with no deposit to start. You preview a few pages, pay, then download the complete files.

Is my programme kept confidential?

Yes. An NDA signed by Caption Easy comes with every as-broadcast script order, and your programme is deleted 7 days after delivery.

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