Introduction
X-Ray is Prime Video’s native bonus content feature, designed to extend and enrich the viewing experience for Prime customers. X-Ray’s experience offers viewers one-click access to a suite of bonus content including after-show videos (e.g. Inside the Episode, Round Table discussions, BTS Featurettes etc.), scripted companion pieces, deleted scenes, curated trivia, cast information, character biographies, music information, and more.
Premium X-Ray Requirements
Our team of creative producers works closely with Amazon Studios Production and Development, in addition to show creatives and production companies to design a custom ancillary experience for select titles. Our mission is to set the standard for customer expectations from a streaming video service by allowing viewers to discover, watch and engage deeply with content they love.
| Asset | Description | Examples and Templates |
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Master Cast List |
The master cast list should include a headshot, actor name, character name, the actor’s IMDb page URL, the episodes the actor appears in, and actor’s headshot uploaded to their IMDb profile. An actor cannot be tagged within X-Ray and Prime Video if they do not have an IMDb page or headshot uploaded to their IMDb page. | Master Cast List Template |
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Music Cue Sheets |
X-Ray requires music details for all commercial and original music used within the series or movie; this does not include score or background music. Details must include song title, writer or lyricist, performer and in and out timepoints in hh:mm:ss format for each usage. |
Metadata Template Music Tab Example |
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IMDb Series/Movies Page Updates |
Work with the Launch Marketing Manager of the title to know when an IMDb page should be created and updated. |
IMDb Title Page Example |
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IMDb Cast Pages |
If a cast member’s IMDb page has not been set up yet, one will need to be created by the production company, talent, or talent’s agent. Cast IMDb pages will need a headshot and a biography. The headshot should be uploaded by the production company and should be chest up with good lighting on the face and preferably centered in a 2:3 portrait-style aspect ratio, in JPG format with a file size ranging from 50kb to 10Mb, and a minimum 72 dpi resolution (recommended 300dpi). If a headshot is not uploaded on IMDb, the actor cannot be included and tagged in the X-Ray experience on the platform. Character names will need to be added to the IMDb series or movie page. For unscripted, character names can be things like ‘Self,’ ‘Player,’ ‘Host,’ etc. The cast members on IMDb should match the X-Ray master cast list. Please mention spoilers concerns with the X-Ray POC or a titles PR/Marketing executive. |
Prime Video Headshot Example and Delivery Specs |
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Timecoded Trivia |
At least 8 pieces of timestamped and fact-checked trivia per 30-minute episode or at least 15 pieces per 60-minute episode is required (1 piece of trivia for every 4 minutes of runtime on average). Individual trivia items should strive to be as succinct as possible, no more than 100 words in length. Trivia text, timestamp, episode number, trivia number and source(s) should be added to the X-Ray Metadata Tracker. |
Trivia Example and Delivery Specs Metadata Template |
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Bonus Videos |
Videos: X-Ray requires at least 1 16:9, 4K video clip, no more than 5:59 minutes in length per series episode and 4 video clips for each feature film. The Prime Video end card at the end is required on each video provided by PV X-Ray producer. Videos require final sound and color, and versioning that includes an X-Ray Master, Textless Master, AV Master, and Archival Master. Videos will require metadata, including titles and a 1-2 sentence description in English which should be added to the X-Ray Metadata Tracker. If the video content is not in English, an English transcript will be required. Thumbnails: X-Ray requires a textless thumbnail for each video, delivered in 4:3, JPG format, max file size of 5MB. Check the delivery specs for file naming convention required. |
Bonus Video and Thumbnail Delivery Specs |
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Bonus Photos / Graphic Galleries |
At least 1 photo gallery including 10 or more high-resolution photos per episode or movie is required. We advise the main action or subject is centered in the photos for the best viewing experience. Photos should be delivered as .jpg with a file size ranging from 50kb to 5Mb, and a minimum 72 dpi resolution (recommended 300dpi). |
Bonus Photo Delivery Specs |
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Character Biographies (Scripted only) |
X-Ray requires a 50-250 word backstory for every major character in the title. Backstories should be original and include a history of the character, their journey and arc, without including any spoilers. Backstories should be added to the X-Ray Metadata Tracker. For every character backstory, a character headshot must be provided on Box. |
Cast Biography Example Metadata Template |
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Character Headshot (Scripted only) |
X-Ray requires one high-resolution headshot of every major character in the title. The headshot should be chest up with good lighting on the face, centered, and with a 2:3 aspect ratio. Photos should be delivered as .JPG with a file size ranging from 50kb to 5Mb, and a minimum 72 dpi resolution (recommended 300dpi). For every character headshot, a character backstory must be provided on the X-Ray Metadata Tracker. |
Character Headshot Example and Delivery Specs |
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X-Ray Metadata Tracker |
Metadata required on the X-Ray Metadata Tracker includes timestamped trivia, music details, and video descriptions, types and episodic ordering. |
Metadata Template |
Essentials X-Ray Coverage
If a title is not slated for Premium experience, which means if there is no bonus content produced or curated for it, it may automatically receive an X-Ray Lite experience at launch. This will showcase general, non-timepoint specific, Cast details vended directly from IMDb; if customer sourced Trivia has been added to the title’s IMDb page, that will also appear within an X-Ray Lite experience.
Post-launch partners and launch leads are responsible for ensuring that all actors, character names, and any trivia on each episode's IMDb page is accurate and approved for customer viewing. If you have any questions related to setting up your title's page, please see IMDb's Contributions Help Guide or reach out to IMDb customer service directly.