Rate system

The German rate system has an unambiguous code for each broadcast day. It consists of four details that are always fully available. The code is mandatory for advertising. It can be used additionally for other programme types like sponsoring or trailer.

Rate group: 2-digit (classification of the advertising break depending on the kind of advertising)

Price group: 2-digit (determines the spot price of the advertising break; subordinate to rate group)

Hour: 2-digit (scheduled time of the advertising break)

Advertising break no.: 2-digit (channels’ internal number, generally a serial number within one hour / one context)

The following classification applies:

Pricing information for rate groups 1-30 is stored in the reference systems. Special advertisings are classed in rate groups 31 and above so that they are not taken into account for the calculation of averages for total advertising. Rate groups 81-99 contain internal information of the channels which do not refer to advertising breaks and are only licensed to the channel concerned.