MISCELLANEOUS

For questions regarding this section, contact PBS Program Management at (703) 739-5010

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Producers are encouraged to review the additional resources for detailed specifications:

• Red Book online
• Producing For PBS
• Technical Operating Specifications
• Underwriting Guidelines
• User's Guide to PBS Brands (online version available only with access to PBS Connect)
• Web Production Manual

ELEMENTAL DELIVERY (CONTAINERIZATION)

PBS has not yet transitioned to elemental delivery.

In order to increase system-wide efficiencies and reduce the associated operational costs, PBS is launching a series of initiatives designed to optimize the process of getting programs from production environments, through PBS and on to its member stations. A key factor in that optimization process is the creation of a set of program packaging standards that allows for the easy identification, insertion, removal or substitution of some program elements. This has been informally termed "containerization."

Further announcements will be made as PBS approaches this goal.

In order to enable the streamlined containerization processes, there will be new technical and packaging standards added to the guidelines already required of producers in the PBS Red Book and the PBS Technical Operation Specifications Manual (TOS). While PBS has not yet determined all of these new requirements, we have established the initial packaging standards that will eventually allow you to change "elements" of your program (such as underwriting spots, video offer spots, etc.) without having to re-deliver or perform edits on a tape master.

For a portion of your program to be considered an "element," the following requirements have to be met:

1. The program element must begin with one (1) frame of black, and silence prior to the first audio or visual element. This is the Start of Message (SOM) for the segment.
2. The program element must end with eight (8) full frames of black which will be the designated the End of Message (EOM) for the segment.

Captioning data, if present, should be contained totally within the element so that the element can stand alone regardless of the adjacent material. In addition, for the best transition from element to element (in terms of aesthetics), PBS recommends that the beginning and end of each message should be a 10-frame dissolve up and dissolve down.

Please note that packaging your programs in this manner is completely voluntary. Until we fully transition to these streamlined processes, it will still be acceptable to package your programs without these additional requirements. However, we strongly encourage you to consider the advantages that "elemental" delivery will provide you, including easier edits and last-minute changes.

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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