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Elephant Audio
Audio production · Sound design · Music production
LahorePKEngineering sound since 2018
All delivery specs
Territory reference
Free TV OP-59 — Australian Television Loudness
What loudness does Australian television require?
Free TV Australia OP-59 adopts a target loudness of −24 LKFS within ±1 dB, measured to ITU-R BS.1770. True peak must not exceed −2 dBTP. Short-form material such as commercials and promotions is measured on the full mix over its total duration, while long-form is measured on dialogue where the dialogue can be separated reliably.
Source
Transcribed from the published standard, read 2026-09-24. Check it yourself
−24 LKFS
adopted target loudness
0 LU on an LU-scaled meter
±1 dB
tolerance
tighter than the ±2 dB US television anticipates
−2 dBTP
true peak must not exceed
measured material must not reach 0 dBTP
Full mix
short-form method
commercials and promos, over total duration
One number, and a tolerance worth noticing
OP-59 adopts the ITU's answer directly: the target is −24 LKFS, and the document states that a signal not measuring −24 LKFS ±1 dB should be normalised to match it. That ±1 dB is the detail worth carrying into a mix. ATSC A/85 anticipates a measurement tolerance of about ±2 dB for the same −24 LKFS target, so a spot that would sit comfortably inside the American allowance can be a decibel outside the Australian one.
The scale follows from the target. A meter displaying Loudness Units reads 0 LU at −24 LKFS, and the step between LU is one decibel on all channels — so “two LU hot” and “two decibels hot” are the same statement.
What the practice actually says
“If a signal does not measure -24LKFS +/- 1 db, the adopted target loudness, then correction (normalisation) to match that value is very simple.”
How each kind of content is measured
The method changes with the length, and for short-form it is not optional:
- Long form: dialogue, where it can be separated. On mono and stereo soundtracks that needs either a specialised metering system or a manually read short-term meter.
- Long form without separable dialogue: where the meter or the content gives no reliable way to isolate dialogue, a measurement of the full mix should be made.
- Short form — commercials, promotions and similar: the document says these shall use the full mix measured over the total duration. This one is mandatory language, not a recommendation.
- True peak: it is necessary to ensure the true peak level does not exceed −2 dBTP, i.e. that the material as measured does not go to 0 dBTP.
⚠️ OP-59 is guidance; OP-48 is the requirement
OP-59 describes itself as an operational practice recommended by Free TV Australia, and it points at a companion document for the binding part: OP-48, Audio Levels and Loudness, sets out the requirements for television advertisements and applies to all commercials. OP-59 says it provides an extra perspective on metering notwithstanding the guidelines in that practice.
So the −24 LKFS here is the measurement target every Australian broadcaster works to, but a commercial clearing for air is also answering OP-48. Treating OP-59 as the whole of the Australian requirement is the mistake to avoid.
Common questions
What loudness do Australian broadcasters require?
−24 LKFS, within ±1 dB. OP-59 adopts that as the target loudness and says material outside it should be normalised to match. True peak must not exceed −2 dBTP.
Is Australia's −24 LKFS the same as the American target?
The number is the same, the tolerance is not. ATSC A/85 anticipates a measurement tolerance of about ±2 dB around −24 LKFS; OP-59 states ±1 dB. A mix an American delivery treats as in-spec can be outside the Australian allowance.
How is an Australian commercial measured?
On the full mix, over its total duration. OP-59 says short-form soundtracks such as commercials and promotions shall use that method, because isolating dialogue is harder in short form, particularly where other elements sit high in the mix.
Does OP-59 cover New Zealand as well?
No. OP-59 is a Free TV Australia operational practice and refers to digital television broadcasting on Australian television services. New Zealand broadcasters commonly work to the same −24 LKFS figure, but that is not something this document states, so confirm the target with the broadcaster rather than assuming it carries across.
Next
- Measure an Australian spot against −24 LKFS
- The same number with twice the tolerance
- The measurement OP-59 adopts
- Which target applies to your spot
- Commercials delivered to a broadcaster's spec
This page is the lookup. Broadcast and Streaming Loudness Specs for Commercials is the explanation behind it.
Delivering to Australian television?
The tolerance is half what US television allows, and commercials are judged on the full mix rather than dialogue. We measure each deliverable the way the broadcaster will.
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