Buy types and guarantees
Every package declares the buy types it sells. A buy type states the pay basis, what the seller stands behind, and who selects the spots.
Buy types
buy_type | Pay basis | Seller stands behind | Who picks the spots |
|---|---|---|---|
preemptible | Spot cost | Nothing contractually. clearance_tier states priority and target clearance. | The buyer names a package and count; the seller clears what it can. |
non_preemptible | Spot cost | The spot airs. Placement within the package remains the seller's. | The buyer names a package and count; the seller places within it. |
fixed_position | Spot cost | The spot airs in the position bought. | The buyer names the position. |
audience_guaranteed | CPM in the declared audience currency | Delivered audience; shortfalls follow the make-good policy. | The seller picks which spots and how many will hit the goal. |
Grounded in the trade. The FCC recognizes non-preemptible, preemptible with notice, immediately preemptible, and run-of-schedule time as distinct classes. Further sub-classes belong only where they rest on real benefits such as preemption protection, scheduling flexibility, or make-good rights, and not on price alone. Switchboard's
clearance_tier ladder spans preemptible-with-notice through immediately-preemptible. non_preemptible and fixed_position stay separate because the Commission treats airing and position guarantees separately. Run of schedule is preemptible on a broad ron or rotator package, not another buy type.Clearance tiers
P1, P2, and P3 are priority levels inside preemptible only. Each level carries its own price and target clearance rate. A priority level has no meaning on a buy that cannot be preempted.
Audience settlement
An audience_guaranteed buy settles in its declared audience currency. A Household buy reconciles on Household impressions delivered; shortfalls trigger the attached make-good policy. There is no non-guaranteed CPM: a CPM is priced against a guarantee, while a buyer taking delivery risk buys a spot cost.