New & Notes

New public television fundraising special to feature Don Cornelius’ Soul Train

The Best of Soul Train provides a unique tribute to creator Don Cornelius who showcased African American talent in a way no other program has. Read More »

Top-rated U.K. series, Doc Martin Season 5, comes to U.S via APT

The new season of the acclaimed English comedy-drama Doc Martin returns to American audiences in 2012
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Nightly Business Report returns to American Public Television for U.S. distribution

Award-winning, week-daily business program returns as part of APT Exchange lineup with multi-platform offerings for local public television stations and online viewers nationwide.
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Director Syndication and Premium Service

Position Title: Director Syndication and Premium Service

Supervisor: Vice President of APT Syndication & Premium Service

Summary: The Director works with and assists the Vice President of APT Syndication & Premium Service in seeking a broad range of quality programming from a variety of domestic and foreign sources for purchase by public television stations across two divisions.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Syndication

• Screen and evaluate DVDs and online programs/series for sales consideration to enable Syndication unit to offer approximately 100 programs/series per fiscal year.
• Maintain accurate screening notes in database; follow-up with program suppliers/producers; participate in evaluation meetings; review supplier web sites for potential program offers; pursue new supplier relationships.
• Work with VP to determine list of near term offers and future pipeline; edit/create written sales descriptions; select preview clips; prepare and assist VP in delivering APT sales presentations.
• Maintain regular contact with PTV stations to ensure APT Syndication is providing desired services, assess potential programming needs/opportunities, and follow-up on responses. Consistently answer calls/e-mails within one business day.
• Closely monitor PBS communications and trade publications for content ideas, system ‘pulse’, windows of opportunity; screen NPS and PBS Fundraising teleconferences. Keep abreast of activity within the PTV programming community via Programmers’ Chat, PTPA publications, Current, etc.
• Attend APT Fall Marketplace, PBS Annual Meeting and other industry conferences as assigned.

Premium Service

• Seek potential program opportunities for pledge; screen/evaluate DVDs or proposals to enable the Premium Service unit to offer approximately 12 pledge programs per fiscal year. Work contacts to solicit potential programs and proposals; pursue new supplier relationships
• Maintain accurate notes in database for each program screened. Assist VP in preparing monthly list of projects to be reviewed by Premium Service Advisory Group.
• Follow up with program suppliers/producers as directed. Negotiate deals according to VP’s specifications; serve as Executive Producer for assigned projects including review of rough cuts and all production details.
• Work with APT communications team to determine promotional opportunities for each project and advocate for carriage among station community.
• Prepare support materials for use by local on-air talent, as well as applicable pitch points for each Premium Service project. Assist with production of Pledge Events.

Qualifications:
College degree required. Experience in television production and programming, as an executive producer or programmer. Ability to assess programs based on content, production, quality, audience potential and scheduling applications in the context of public television. Public television experience a major plus. Job requires excellent interpersonal, writtten, and verbal communications skills as well as experience negotiating broadcast and production contracts. Familiarity with Lotus Notes, Microsoft Word and Excel software a plus. Candidate must demonstrate the ability to work independently and with a team.