What is the LKFS standard for television broadcasting?

• A. -24 LKFS
• B. -20 LKFS
• C. -16 LKFS
• D. 0 LKFS

Answer: (A)

LKFS is the loudness measure broadcasters use to keep viewing audio consistent over time, so you don’t have to constantly adjust the volume between channels, programs, and commercials. It’s a perception-based normalizing standard, with LKFS (or LUFS with K-weighting) representing the integrated average loudness of content over the duration of the piece.

For television programming, the target is -24 LKFS, typically with a small allowable range. This means the average loudness of the program should sit about 24 dB below full scale, balancing dynamics across a broadcast day and making channel-hopping comfortable for viewers. If content is louder than this target (like around -20 LKFS), it will sound noticeably louder and can be uncomfortable; if it’s much quieter (like around -16 LKFS or 0), it won’t meet the standard and may require processing to bring it up. So -24 LKFS is the commonly adopted target to ensure a consistent viewing experience across programs and ads.