A method of encoding video data with image metadata, the method comprising: generating a set of sequence-level parameters for a sequence of image frames in a media program, the set of sequence-level parameters comprising a set of sequence-level indicators indicating a specific set of metadata types; generating a sequence of sets of frame-present parameters for the sequence of image frames, each set of frame-present parameters in the sequence of sets of frame-present parameters being generated for a respective image frame in the sequence of image frames; wherein the sequence of sets of frame-present parameters comprises a specific set of frame-present parameters generated for a specific image frame in the sequence of image frames; wherein the specific set of frame-present parameters comprises a specific set of frame-present indicators, each frame-present indicator in the specific set of frame-present indicators indicating a respective one metadata type among the specific set of metadata types indicated by the set of sequence-level indicators; wherein the specific set of frame-present indicators includes a first frame-present indicator identifying a first metadata type among the specific set of metadata types, for which metadata type at least one metadata parameter value is to be encoded for the specific image frame in a coded bitstream as a metadata payload; and wherein the specific set of frame-present indicators includes a second frame-present indicator identifying a second metadata type among the specific set of metadata types, for which metadata type no metadata parameter value is to be encoded for the specific image frame in a coded bitstream as a metadata payload; and encoding, for the sequence of image frames, in a coded bitstream, the sequence of image frames, the set of sequence-level parameters, and the sequence of sets of frame-present parameters, wherein for the specific image frame, at least one metadata parameter value is encoded as a metadata payload in the coded bitstream for the first metadata type, and no metadata parameter value is encoded as a metadata payload in the coded bitstream for the second metadata type. generating a set of sequence-level parameters for a sequence of image frames in a media program, the set of sequence-level parameters comprising a set of sequence-level indicators indicating a specific set of metadata types; generating a sequence of sets of frame-present parameters for the sequence of image frames, each set of frame-present parameters in the sequence of sets of frame-present parameters being generated for a respective image frame in the sequence of image frames; wherein the sequence of sets of frame-present parameters comprises a specific set of frame-present parameters generated for a specific image frame in the sequence of image frames; wherein the specific set of frame-present parameters comprises a specific set of frame-present indicators, each frame-present indicator in the specific set of frame-present indicators indicating a respective one metadata type among the specific set of metadata types indicated by the set of sequence-level indicators; wherein the specific set of frame-present indicators includes a first frame-present indicator identifying a first metadata type among the specific set of metadata types, for which metadata type at least one metadata parameter value is to be encoded for the specific image frame in a coded bitstream as a metadata payload; and wherein the specific set of frame-present indicators includes a second frame-present indicator identifying a second metadata type among the specific set of metadata types, for which metadata type no metadata parameter value is to be encoded for the specific image frame in a coded bitstream as a metadata payload; and encoding, for the sequence of image frames, in a coded bitstream, the sequence of image frames, the set of sequence-level parameters, and the sequence of sets of frame-present parameters, wherein for the specific image frame, at least one metadata parameter value is encoded as a metadata payload in the coded bitstream for the first metadata type, and no metadata parameter value is encoded as a metadata payload in the coded bitstream for the second metadata type.