FORMAT AND PACKAGING
All these elements must be approved well in advance of final picture lock.
 |
Final Format |
|
Interactive Content Announcement |
|
On-Air Offers |
|
Underwriting |
|
Production Credits |
| |
All programs delivered to PBS must meet standard length requirements.
|
Program length of 30 minutes = 28:46 |
|
Program length of 60 minutes = 58:46 |
| |
|
Program length of 30 minutes = 26:46 |
|
Program length of 60 minutes = 56:46 |
|
Program length of 90 minutes = 1:26:46 |
|
Program length of 120 minutes = 1:56:46 |
| |
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.
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. If the program includes any of these elements, and the producer cannot incorporate them into a split-screen treatment, please contact the Program Management department.
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.
Teases should be approx. 30 seconds.
This optional spot can be helpful in setting up the content to follow and/or seizing the viewer's attention. They can also help to create space between the local station break and the program's underwriting pod. These teases must be energetic and compelling.
Opens should be approx. 30 seconds.
Shorter opens or title sequences are preferred. The open can precede or follow the underwriting sequence per the producer's discretion.
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)
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...."
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 system cue.
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.
All filler material is considered optional and may be deleted at the individual option of member stations.
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.
Program Bugs are NOT permitted.
Programs or series may NOT use visible program bugs, icons, or identifiers in the body of the program. 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.
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.
Programs may arrive captioned/encoded or producers may arrange for PBS to complete closed captioning (at the expense of the producer). Master tapes delivered to PBS prior to captioning must include a full script of the program.
Please alert your Programming contact to any potential flags or alerts.
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).
30 Minute Programs (26:46)
60/90 Minute Programs (56:46/86:46)
2 Hour Programs (1:56:46)
2 Hour Programs With One Internal Break (1:56:46)
30 Minute Children's Programs (28:46)
60 Minute Children's Programs (58:46)
© PBS 1995-2009. All rights reserved.