ON-AIR OFFERS
For questions regarding this section, contact PBS Program Underwriting Policy at (703) 739-5291 or PBS Program Management at (703) 739-5010
Videos
Books
Transcripts
CDs
Other Program Specific Material
Certain related goods and services may be mentioned or offered for sale at the end of the program. The appropriateness, content, and placement of any program-related offers are subject to the "PBS Guidelines for On-Air Announcements Promoting Program-Related Goods and Services." The guidelines spell out the types of items generally acceptable for an on-air announcement, the language and visuals to use for these announcements, and the options for placement.
All on-air offers of program-related goods and services must be approved by PBS Program Underwriting Policy (PUP). The deadline for approval is 10 weeks prior to broadcast and prior to final picture lock.
Remember, all forms must be filed and approved in ORION before a program can be delivered.
Only a nonprofit producer, presenter, or distributor of the program can make an offer.
The offeror must be identified in the offer announcement
PBS may ask for verification of nonprofit status.
The offeror ensures that the item will be available through that phone number and/or address for the duration of the broadcast rights period. The offeror must own the item being offered and accept responsibility for any difficulties encountered by viewers. The offeror must abide by the On-Air Offer Guidelines including the revenue share requirements, and report on revenue to PUP at 6-month intervals as required.
Split screen offer treatments are the most ideal format
Offers generally appear only once at the end of the program. If a program has a mid-program break approved by Program Management, the same offer might appear at the intermission.
An offer should never come between the underwriting credits and production credits.
Split-Screen with Production Credits
Although several options are available, PBS highly prefers a split-screen treatment to reduce on-air clutter and maximize the time available for program content.
Specifications for acceptable offer placement
| 1. | Offer can be no longer than 15 seconds |
| 2. | Program content should end prior to the offer (if program content extends into the production credits, for example). |
| 3. | Offer should not begin until production credits run at least 17 seconds to allow for local station voice over announcements. |
| 4. | Addresses are not required, and are particularly discouraged for split-screen offers. |
| |
End of Program and before Production Credits
| 1. | Offer can be no longer than 15 seconds |
| 2. | Dip to black before offer announcement. |
| 3. | An offer may appear immediately following the program content with PBS approval. |
| |
End of Production Credits and before the PBS System Cue
| 1. | Offer can be no longer than 15 seconds |
| 2. | AProducer/Presenter identification must appear before the offer language begins. |
| |
Post System Cue
Offer can be no longer than 30 seconds
Hosts or talent from the program may not be used in the on-air offer announcement.
Web addresses are NOT permitted
No credit cards, delivery services or shopping services may be named
Offer announcements should be consistent with the tone and substance of the program. Offers are to be informational and not promotional in nature, e.g., no calls to action.
| Audio must include: | |
| 1. | Title of item (preferably include program title) |
| 2. | Type of item |
| 3. | Phone number (may be voiced only once) |
| 4. | "...or write to the address on your screen." (if address is included) |
| |
| Video must include: | |
| 1. | Title of item (again, be specific and include the program title) |
| 2. | Type of item (product may be depicted or fonted, e.g., "audio cassette") |
| 3. | Phone number and possibly address (but no address in split screen offers) |
| 4. | "Offer Made by XYZ" (this disclosure is required by law) |
| |
Price of the item is also helpful but is not required.
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