Integrated Loudness -24 LUFS
True Peak Max -2 dBTP

About this Target

ATSC A/85:2026-07 specifies -24 LKFS full-program loudness for short-form content without metadata, approximately +/-2 LU measurement tolerance, and -2 dBTP.

ATSC A/85:2026-07 distinguishes short-form content from long-form dialogue-anchored content. This page and its Purpose presets cover the clean full-program short-form path at -24 LKFS without metadata and -2 dBTP. They do not claim long-form dialogue-gated compliance, CALM Act certification, metadata authoring, channel-layout validation, or broadcaster acceptance.

Reference type: Official short-form broadcast recommendation

Guide: Loudness Leveler

Load the Broadcast - ATSC A/85 Short Form preset from the Purpose category. After the other settings are final, run Compensation Learn over the complete program to lock the final correction.

Adjust Target Tolerance for the amount of movement you want around -24 LUFS, then use the built-in limiter for the -2 dBTP ceiling.

APU Loudness Leveler showing ATSC A/85, US TV target at -24 LUFS
Fig 1. Real-time ATSC A/85, US TV target tracking using APU Loudness Leveler.

Guide: Loudness Compressor

Workflow:
1. Load the Broadcast - ATSC A/85 Short Form preset from the Purpose category.
2. To have the compression range follow your material, use Source Range Learn while playing the complete program.
3. After the other settings are final, run Compensation Learn in the Limiter tab over the complete program.

APU Loudness Compressor showing ATSC A/85, US TV target at -24 LUFS
Fig 2. Real-time ATSC A/85, US TV LUFS targeting using APU Loudness Compressor.
APU Loudness Compressor showing ATSC A/85, US TV target at -2 dBTP
Fig 3. Real-time ATSC A/85, US TV dBTP targeting using APU Loudness Compressor.

Guide: Loudness Limiter

Load the Broadcast - ATSC A/85 Short Form Ceiling preset from the Purpose category. It configures both ceilings. After the other settings are final, run Compensation Learn over the complete program.

APU Loudness Limiter showing ATSC A/85, US TV target at -24 LUFS
Fig 4. Real-time ATSC A/85, US TV LUFS and dBTP targeting using APU Loudness Limiter.

Guide: Dynamics Optimizer

Load the Broadcast - ATSC A/85 Short Form preset from the Purpose category, open the complete file, then analyze and optimize it. Review the result, then measure the exported file before delivery.

APU Dynamics Optimizer showing ATSC A/85, US TV target at -24 LUFS
Fig 5. Offline ATSC A/85, US TV LUFS and dBTP targeting using APU Dynamics Optimizer.

Metering for ATSC A/85, US TV

For the supported short-form scope, reset at programme start and measure the entire final mix using BS.1770 Integrated loudness and linked Maximum True Peak. Long-form content requires the specification's dialogue-anchored workflow and is outside these presets.

Load the QC - ATSC A/85 Short Form preset from the Purpose category. It configures the target range, True Peak threshold, Short-term history, and Integrated output for this reference.

APU Loudness Meter showing ATSC A/85, US TV target at -24 LUFS
Fig 6. Real-time metering of the ATSC A/85, US TV reference using APU Loudness Meter.

Sources

Platform behavior and delivery requirements can change. Check the linked source and the destination's current specification before final delivery.