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PBS will review and consider each proposal submitted to us for consideration. 

PBS is a membership organization that provides national programming, distribution, and technical services to our member stations.  We do not produce the programs you see on our air.

Please submit your materials for consideration through the PBS General Audience Programming Submission Portal here. PBS does not accept or review submissions sent via conventional postal delivery (e.g. USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.) or via email.

PBS requests that submitters assemble the following information (and any additional materials) through the portal linked above.

• Project Treatment: Clearly communicate how the program will unfold from beginning to end. Include details on story structure, theme, style, format, voice, and point-of-view.
   
• Line-Item Budget: Include an itemized list of project costs, i.e., staff salaries, talent, post-production expenses, outreach, insurance, etc.
   
• Production Schedule: Provide a schedule of all phases of production.                      

• Key Personnel: Provide detailed biographies or resume information for key project staff, i.e., producer, director, writer, cinematographer, editor, as well as experts, consultants, and talent.

If you have questions about the submission process to General Audience Programming, please email PBSGASubmissions@pbs.org.

Due to the volume of proposals received, a standard response timeframe cannot be guaranteed. In practice, the goal is to contact producers about their proposed projects within 4-6 weeks. Projects that PBS, in its sole discretion, deem unique and timely in nature may receive immediate attention. 

Proposals are evaluated on an ongoing basis. They are judged on many criteria, including (but not confined to) the quality of the proposal or completed work, compliance with PBS Standards & Practices policies, the credentials of the production team, content priorities, and the financial request to PBS. 
 
The submission process begins with an initial review by the PBS General Audience Programming team. If a program meets PBS’s standards and mission, it is forwarded to a cross-disciplinary team for discussion and consideration. Programs that progress through that phase are then considered during program meetings; proposals are reviewed for distribution and/or funding, and final greenlight decisions are made. Producers are notified shortly thereafter.

PBS’s distribution schedule is determined 6-12 months in advance, so please keep this in mind when submitting programs that are timely in nature.

PBS Digital Studios is a network of programs that connects, inspires, and cultivates the next generation of PBS viewers. PBSDS invites storytellers to submit pitches for digital series that contribute to the ongoing coverage for any of the content areas: Science, History, Humanities, Culture. You can find more information and the submission form here. PBS Digital Studios does not accept or review submissions sent via conventional postal delivery (e.g. USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.) or via email.

PBS KIDS focuses on commissioning educational content for kids ages 2 to 8. If your project fits those guidelines, please share your materials through the PBS KIDS submissions portal here. You can also find an FAQ document and a step-by-step guide to submitting your materials here. PBS KIDS does not accept or review submissions sent via conventional postal delivery (e.g. USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.) or via email.

If you have any questions about submitting proposals to PBS KIDS, please email pbskidsproposals@pbs.org.

We regret that we cannot offer detailed feedback on every project received. 

PBS is not obligated to return proposal submissions and PBS is not responsible for lost materials. Please retain copies of all submitted items as they will be discarded upon completion of review.