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We at PBS are committed to reviewing every proposal submitted for our consideration and want to make this process as simple as possible.
Please note that PBS is a membership organization that provides national programming, distribution and technical services to our member stations. We do not produce the programs you see on our air. We can only work with experienced producers who are capable of managing all aspects of a project's development and production.
It is also important to note that the PBS schedule is determined 6-12 months in advance, so please keep this in mind when submitting programs that are timely in nature.
SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
Step 1: After carefully reviewing our proposal guidelines, prepare your submission materials for mailing.
Step 2: Your proposal materials must be accompanied by a signed proposal release form and an informational summary sheet. PBS cannot review a proposal until these forms are on file. Download a release form and summary sheet (PDF; Adobe Reader required) from this site or call (703) 739-5306 to request a form.
If you are submitting multiple proposals, please include one executed release and summary sheet for each project.
Step 3: Mail or fax your submission to:
Steven Gray
Vice President, Program Scheduling & Editorial Management
PBS Headquarters
2100 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
fax: (703) 739-5295
All children's programming submissions should be directed to:
Linda Simensky
Senior Director, Children’s Programming
PBS Headquarters
2100 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
fax: (703) 739-7506
Please note, we do not accept proposals by e-mail or phone.
Producers wishing to submit their proposal to a continuing series, such as Frontline or American Experience, please see Continuing Series and Anthologies. PBS does not forward submissions to existing series.
Step 4: Proposals and tapes receive initial review by the PBS Program Development staff. This process takes 4-6 weeks.
We regret that we cannot offer detailed feedback on every project received.
PBS is not obligated to return proposal submissions and PBS is not responsible for lost or damaged materials. Please retain copies of all submitted items as they will be recycled or discarded upon completion of review.
GUIDELINES
Please send all relevant information about each project. The following elements are expected:
Project Proposal/Incomplete Program:
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Synopsis - briefly outline the subject and story of the program or the larger context out of which the story evolved.
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Treatment (Required) - clearly communicate how the television program will unfold from beginning to end. Include details on story structure, theme, style, format, voice, and point-of-view.
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Episodic descriptions (if project is a series).
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Project timetable - provide a schedule of all phases of production.
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Interactive elements - if applicable, explain how you plan to enhance your project through a companion web site, video-on-demand, or pod-casting. Discuss specific elements of the proposed site and provide information on the web production team and budget. For guidelines on web development, please consult PBS’ Web Production Manual.
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Budget - include an itemized list of project costs (i.e., staff salaries, talent, post-production expenses, outreach, insurance, etc.) and any funds and in-kind support raised to date.
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Key Personnel - provide detailed biographies or resume information of the key project staff (i.e., producer, director, writer, cinematographer, editor) as well as experts, consultants and talent.
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Business Plan - explain the current status of the project; discuss your plans for completing it; identify potential funding resources; and indicate approach being taken to secure funding.
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Sample Work - if possible, include samples of previous work that best exemplify your production ability and are relevant in style and subject to the current project.
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If you are submitting a proposal for a children’s program, the materials offered to PBS KIDS should reflect solid, age-appropriate educational goals, which incorporate the work of educational advisors and/or research to support the program's specific objectives. Program proposals should include plans describing how the educational and entertainment value of the program content will be extended through online, outreach and print activities.
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Completed Program:
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A VHS or DVD copy of the program. VHS projects must be in the NTSC format. We do not accept PAL DVDs. DVDs must be in the NTSC format for American players.
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Synopsis.
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Detailed funding information.
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Indication of rights available.
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Interactive elements/web address.
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List of any problematic content, i.e. language, nudity, violence, etc.
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Any relevant information that will assist us in our review.
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ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION TOOLS
PBS Editorial and Production Guidelines
Review funding standards, practices and guidelines for PBS broadcast programs.
The Red Book
Review packaging, deliverable, promotion, technical and legal guidelines for PBS broadcast programs.
PBS Guide For Flag Notification
Review the guidelines for notifying PBS of objectionable content prior to delivery of program.
PBS Kids Producer Guidelines(PDF; Adobe Reader required)
Review all producer guidelines for programs and Internet content designed solely for children.
Web Production Manual
This manual is intended for producers, writers, designers, technologists and other team members involved in developing Web sites for PBS.org.
Proposals are evaluated on an ongoing basis. They are judged on many criteria, including (but not confined to) the quality of the proposal or completed work, the credentials of the production team, the needs of the schedule, and the financial request to PBS. All projects for consideration will fall within the process that is described below. Projects that are unique and timely in nature will receive immediate attention, but PBS will determine, in its sole discretion, which programs and proposals fall into this category.
The submission process begins with an initial review by our program development team. Because the number of proposals we receive varies greatly, we do not have a standard time-frame in place for a response. We are committed, however, to contacting producers about their proposed projects as quickly as possible, usually within 4-6 weeks.
Following the initial review, if a program meets our standards and mission, then it is forwarded to a bi-monthly meeting of our cross-disciplinary team. This group then discusses the recommended titles, identifying any outstanding questions and/or materials, and determines which projects should move forward to a commissioning round.
During the commissioning round meetings, programs and proposals are approved for broadcast and/or funding, and all final greenlighting decisions are made. Producers are notified shortly thereafter.
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