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Syndication
What are the first steps in the process of selection for distribution through APT Syndication?
When will I know whether my program will be
offered to stations?
When will I know whether my program will be distributed?
Are there any costs to the producer for distribution?
If my program goes to contract, how will I know which stations are airing it and when?
If my program goes to contract, what materials will I need to supply and who will handle getting promotional materials to the stations?
What if I need underwriter and tag information?
What are the first steps in the process of selection for distribution through APT Syndication?
It is always advisable to call or e-mail before submitting a program for consideration. Unsolicited programs generally are the last to be screened. We will advise you if your program is a good fit for public television. At that point, you may send us a ½" screening cassette with accompanying printed information.
Our selection criteria are subjective. Because stations purchase programs out of discretionary acquisition dollars, being a "good program" isn't enough. We use our experience (and frequent conversations with programmers across the country) to assess the types of programs that are likely to draw an audience or meet local scheduling needs. We evaluate programs based on their individual merit and what American Public Television already has in syndication, what PBS is distributing, and what we believe could be windows of opportunity for a given program or genre. License fees depend upon the number of stations wishing to purchase and the size of those markets.
APT Syndication WILL NOT consider the following genres: childrens, how-to/lifestyle, game shows, magazine shows or foreign language films/documentaries.
When will I know whether my program will be offered to stations?
Generally speaking, American Public Television staff will advise you within four to six weeks of program submission if we are interested in offering your program at our next screening. At that point, terms and conditions of the offer will be negotiated. American Public Television has three major program screenings per year – teleconferences in April and July and an on-site marketplace in November – as well as smaller teleconferences in January, May and September.
When will I know whether my program will be distributed?
Syndication programs will go to contract if an agreed-upon minimum dollar figure is reached.
Are there any costs to the producer for distribution?
Producers are expected to have Errors and Omissions Insurance before a program/series can go to contract; insurance must be in place at the start of the contract period. Closed captioning for the hearing impaired of final master tape is now required so that stations broadcasting the program will be in compliance with standards set by the Federal Communications Commission.
There are no cost other than materials, insurance and closed captioning requirements.
If my program goes to contract, how will I know which stations are airing it and when?
If we go to contract, American Public Television will share with a producer/supplier the list of stations who have voted to purchase and/or broadcast your program. However, since the stations will schedule the program/series where it best meets their individual needs (and because individual station schedules are subject to change), American Public Television does not necessarily know when your program will be scheduled. It is up to the producer to follow up with the stations to ascertain specific carriage information. Suppliers may also subscribe annually to American Public Television's Carriage & Ratings service for weekly or monthly reports. If my program goes to contract, what materials will I need to supply and who will handle getting promotional materials to the stations?
1. One broadcast master tape.
2. Certification of insurance
3. Print materials including jpegs posted on our Web site for program promotion (cleared for use in station advertising, program guides, for distribution to local print media, and for use on Web sites to promote the program).
American Public Television promotion staff will prepare press kits for each licensing station and the listing services. In some cases, APT may assist with regional/national promotion. What if I need underwriter and tag information?
Underwriting should be in place at the time the offer is made, and must meet American Public Television underwriting guidelines. For syndicated programming, stations are reluctant to spend discretionary dollars for programming that they feel has already been paid for by other sources.
Video tags are permitted but must meet American Public Television product offer guidelines and must be mentioned in the program offer to stations (video tags that are negotiated after a program has been offered run a higher risk of being edited off for broadcast by the local stations). Revenue sharing with American Public Television is a requirement for any video/merchandise tag.
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