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

POLICY ON PRODUCER IDENTIFICATION

Producers and/or presenters may not be credited as underwriters of the program

The producer and presenter credit policy was developed to strengthen the local identity of PBS member stations and streamline entry into the program. For your information, we have requested the voluntary observance of these guidelines by other public television program distributors in the interests of fairness and on-air consistency.

In the interest of public disclosure and editorial accountability, the producer or presenter of a PBS program must be identified at the end of the program. Any co-producers or co-presenters must also be acknowledged. The video should also match the producers/presenter listed on PAA.

PLACEMENT AND DURATION

No producer/presenter credits at the top of show

Producer, producer consortia, and production company logos may not appear at the beginning of PBS programs but may appear as part of the program closing.

Each producer/presenter identification = 3 seconds maximum

The producer identification may not exceed three seconds. If there are two or more producers or co-producers, a maximum of six seconds is allowed for all. For example, if there are 3 producers for a program and all must be identified, then each producer will only receive a 2 second identification credit (totaling 6 seconds of producer/presenter credits).

6 seconds maximum allowed for all producer/presenter identification.

PRODUCER IDENTIFICATIONS MUST BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE TIME ALLOTTED FOR CLOSING PRODUCTION CREDITS.

STYLE

Producer/Presenter credits may NOT carry voiceover or website address.

The style and manner of identification is at the producer's discretion. Acknowledgement is in video only. Audio may include music, but no voiceover. If the producer or presenter is a television station, station channel numbers may NOT be included in the identification.

The program may identify the producer and/or presenter in several ways

1.	The producer may indicate itself in the closing production credits by name (text only); OR
2.	The producer may elect to use its logo in the production credits; OR
3.	The producer may include an animated logo identification that follows closing production credits. The separate animated logo's time must be included in the time allowed for the total production credit roll. [i.e. For an hour long program without a split screen credit treatment, the production credit roll may run :42 seconds with a :03 second animated logo or the roll may run :39 seconds with a 6 second combined animated logos].

Production/Presenter entities may NOT be credited at the top-of-the-show

Note: Options 1 and 3 in combination is also permitted. For example, it would be acceptable to display the name of the producer and a co-producer in the text of the closing production credits ("produced by Mike Smith productions in association with XYZ"), in addition to including an animated producer logo after the closing production credits.

CO-PRODUCTIONS

1.	A XYZ Production in association with ABC; or
2.	A XYZ Production in cooperation with (or with the help of) ABC; or
3.	A XYZ Production with the assistance of ABC; or
4.	A XYZ Production.

If more than one entity produced and/or presented the program or series, acknowledgement of that relationship and contribution is required. Varying levels of collaboration exist and may be indicated by the above (with the closest collaboration indicated by option 1 and decreasing down to option 4).

Separate credit to the second entity would appear in the production credits under Special Thanks: "Editorial Assistance provided by ABC..."

The type of credit for co-productions should also correspond with contractual obligations with PBS. If the nature of the credit is unclear, please consult with PBS Editorial and Schedule Management to determine appropriate credit.

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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