PBS APPROVAL REQUIRED

All these elements must be approved well in advance of final picture lock.

	Final Format
	Website Notice
	On-Air Offers
	Underwriting
	Production Credits
	Media Inventory (after picture lock but prior to delivery)

STANDARD LENGTH REQUIREMENTS

All programs must meet standard length requirements.

Standard Lengths for PBS children's programs
	Program length of 30 minutes = 28:46.00
	Program length of 60 minutes = 58:46.00

Standard Lengths for all other PBS programs are as follows:
	Program length of 30 minutes = 26:46.00
	Program length of 60 minutes = 56:46.00
	Program length of 90 minutes = 1:26:46.00
	Program length of 120 minutes = 1:56:46.00
Programs must time exactly to the frame or PBS will edit them to time.

SEGMENT DISTINCTION

If you wish to "containerize" your program, each program element must be preceded by 1 frame of black and must be followed by 8 frames of black.

Information about containerization is available in the "MISCELLANEOUS" section of this Manual.

ON-AIR LOOK OF PACKAGING ELEMENTS

Static and/or black backgrounds are NOT permitted

Top and tail packaging elements must mirror the production values of the program and flow smoothly into and out of program content.

SPLIT SCREEN TREATMENTS

	Web Site Announcements
	Next Episode Teases
	On-Air Offers

PBS strongly recommends a split-screen production credit treatment in the presence of any or all of the elements listed.

Program Management must approve all split-screen credit rolls in advance.

TURNKEY BREAKS

PBS determines if a program should contain turnkey breaks or intermissions.

Turnkey breaks or intermissions are only permitted in certain instances. Producers must consult with Program Management prior to committing a program to either of these formats.

Programs under two hours may not contain a turnkey break or intermission.

Standard turnkey breaks run 1:07 or 2:07, including :01 black at top and bottom of segment. PBS will create the content for non-live turnkey breaks.

All programs that include PBS-produced turnkey breaks must be delivered on multiple reels.

TOP OF THE SHOW TEASES

This optional spot can be helpful in setting up the content to follow and/or to seize the viewer's attention. It can also help to create space between the local station break and the program's underwriting pod. These teases must be energetic and compelling.

PROGRAM OPEN & TITLE SEQUENCE

Shorter opens or title sequences are preferred. The open can precede or follow the underwriting sequence per the producer's discretion and pursuant with Underwriting requirements.

BUMPERS OUT/ OPTIONAL TEASE

To maximize audience retention "Stay Tuned" messages must be placed prior to break or embedded promotion.

For multi-reel programs with turnkey breaks or intermissions, a bumper must be placed prior to the break indicating that the program continues. Examples of this language are:

"Don't go away. [Program Title] will continue in a moment"
or
"Don't go away. Coming up on the continuation of [Program Title]..." (with tease)

NEXT TIME TEASES

These spots should NOT include audio or fonts that reference a specific day/time of broadcast.

If the program is part of a series, the producers must include a promotional spot at the end of the program that teases the next episode. Please see the formats in this section for placement information.

The language should be generic such as: "Next time on...." or "On an upcoming episode of...."

PBS SYSTEM CUE

One full second of black must precede (and follow, if post-system cue material is present) the PBS System Cue.

Each program must conclude with the PBS system cue ("I am PBS" or "We are PBS"). Children's programs must conclude with the PBS KIDS or PBS KIDS GO! system cue. The system cue is available from PBS. See "TOOLKITS" section of the manual.

Programs that carry an intermission or turnkey break must include the internal PBS system cue ("PBS will return in a moment") prior to the break.

The PBS system cue must have a hard cut out — no dissolves. Please refer to PBS' "Technical Operation Specifications" for more information about system cue requirements.

POST-SYSTEM CUE FILLERS

All filler material is considered optional and may be deleted at member stations' discretion.

Filler is only permitted in certain instances and must be cleared in advance by PBS Program Management.

Filler material should always be the last element on the program after the PBS system cue and a full second of black.

Please alert your Program Management contact if you will have more than 2:00 of filler.

Filler material is available from PBS. See "TOOLKITS" section of this manual.

PROGRAM BUGS AND LOWER THIRDS

Program Bugs are NOT permitted unless requested by PBS.

Programs or series may NOT use visible program bugs, icons, or identifiers in the body of the program unless requested by PBS. Most member stations use their own bugs and program specific material can overlap with the local identifier.

Try to keep lower thirds clear.

In addition, producers should keep in mind that co-branded bugs (national and local adjacent logos) will appear in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Lower thirds should not interfere with the use of co-branded bugs.

CLOSED CAPTIONING

A summary of FCC requirements on closed captioning can be found at fcc.gov

PBS requires that all programs, including HD and Widescreen, airing on any PBS service, including but not limited to the National Program Service and PBS Plus, must be closed captioned.

All versions of a program must arrive captioned/encoded.

LANGUAGE FLAGS AND CONTENT ALERTS

Please alert your Programming contact to any potential flags or alerts prior to picture lock.

It is imperative for producers to give PBS early notification of any problematic content. In the event that a program contains graphic content (i.e., nudity, violence or sexuality) or language flags, the producer may be asked to edit out material or provide an edited version (at the expense of the producer).

PRODUCT PLACEMENT

PBS has the right to have the producer remove gratuitous appearances of producers or services appearing in the program.

Occasionally commercial or brand name products or services appear in program content. Such depictions should be treated carefully or PBS will ask the producer to edit the program. If the producer or anyone connected to the production accepts cash or other valuable gratuities from the manufacturer of the product or the provider of the services or any of their agents, the producer must reveal such arrangements to PBS.

If an underwriter of the program offers a product or service, the producers are cautioned to scrupulously avoid the deliberate or gratuitous appearance of the underwriter's goods or services in a way that draws attention to or features that product or service. Producers need not substitute a competitor's product for those of an underwriter, but must use care to ensure that any appearance of an underwriter's product is and appears to be purely incidental.

WEB SITES AND PHONE NUMBERS

Phone numbers and website addresses (except pbs.org, pbskids.org and pbskidsgo.org) are prohibited in program content and production credits.

Producer may also be asked to remove any intentional or incidental instance of phone numbers or websites visible onscreen or audible within the program.

SAMPLE FORMATS

30 Minute Programs (26:46.00)

60/90/120 Minute Programs (56:46.00/86:46.00/1:56:46.00)

2 Hour Programs With One Internal Break (1:56:46.00)

30 Minute Children's Programs (28:46.00)

60 Minute Children's Programs (58:46.00)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This manual is a set of "guidelines" and should be treated as such. PBS staff members will continue to consult with producers and provide direct guidance on issues concerning final delivery of programs. Please read through the Red Book carefully and make sure that the members of your production team familiarize themselves with the relevant sections. Updates to the Red Book will occur when information or policies change.

 
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