Scheduling and Playback Requirements

SCHEDULING AND PLAYBACK REQUIREMENTS

AH provides cablecast time free of charge to community members and to local organizations. Programming is accepted on a fair and non-discriminatory basis, and will be aired without editorial control. The channels exist primarily for the purpose of local expression. While you do not have to be a AH member to submit a program for playback, you must be a local resident.

Request for Playback Form
Every program submitted for playback, whether produced at AH or elsewhere, must be accompanied with a completed Request For Playback form. The reason for this policy is to make sure that there is a local person who assumes all responsibility for the program being aired. The person completing this form and requesting playback assumes full responsibility for the program content, pursuant to AH rules and to all applicable laws and statutes. Programs can be rejected or delayed if this form is incomplete or inaccurate.

The Request for Playback form asks whether the program contains underwriting or a commercial sponsor; whether it has adult language; whether it has content or images that may render it inappropriate for children (e.g., excessive violence); nudity or sexual content. There are boxes you are required to mark so that we are properly informed. AH will not prescreen, censor, or control the content of any program. The person submitting a program for cablecast on AH’s channels is fully liable for the content of all program material they present.

The Request For Playback Form includes a clause indemnifying AH for any defamation, copyright infringement, or legal action resulting from cablecast of the program. The form will also include a signed statement attesting that the program does not contain illegal material, which may include, but is not limited to any unlawful use of copyright material, any material that violates local, state or federal law relating to obscenity or indecency; any material that is libelous, slanderous or defamatory in character; material which constitutes an unlawful invasion or privacy.

AH strongly encourages that those submitting programs have signed standard releases from anyone appearing on their program. Sample releases are provided by AH.

Closing Graphic Identification
Programs produced that used AH facilities or equipment must have the following wording in their closing credits:

Produced at Access Humboldt utilizing community media.

AH encourages, but does not require, producers to include a legible slate allowing viewers to identify the local person or organization presenting the program. This slate would provide viewers with contact information in case of questions or concerns with the presenter’s name and address. Phone numbers and e-mail contacts are optional. For a reasonable fee, AH staff will provide editing and production support for this presenter contact information.

Program Submittal Deadlines and Requirements
All programs produced at AH will be mastered to DVDs or other format supported by AH, and must be submitted with a Request for Playback Form no later than two weeks prior to the desired airdate.

If you need AH staff to dub your program to DVD, you must submit the program to AH staff one week in advance. If you want AH staff to add the closing credits or contact information, then submit the program a week in advance, with the necessary information provided clearly in writing. There will be a posted charge for adding the information slate and for dubbing to DVD.

DVDs of live programs and live-to-tape programs should be submitted to AH staff immediately following the studio shoot.
The DVD and the case must be clearly labeled with the program name, and show number if it is part of an on-going series. Total Running Time, Date completed, and the producer’s name and phone number should be provided.

Once a DVD is submitted to AH, it is logged into a database, scheduled for airtime, and is not available to the Producer until the current scheduled “run” has been completed. Each program must be on a separate DVD. If you produce a program utilizing AH facilities and equipment, you must use our DVD stock, which is available at a very low cost. If you are importing a completed program, you may submit your program on your own DVD stock.

How to Get Your Program on DVD
Programs made at AH are mastered to DVD. AH provides DVDs to AH members for their productions at a low cost. If you are bringing a program to us on DVD, it must conform to the requirements outlined below.

If you bring us VHS tapes of Locally made programs, AH will make DVD copies for playback of up to two programs per week for free to any one Presenter. After the 2nd tape, AH will start charging a $5 fee per tape. All VHS tapes of imported (non-local) programs will be dubbed for a $5 fee for each tape.

Technical Requirements for Cablecast Transmission
DVDs do not require bars and tones, but the program should start within a second of the beginning of the DVD. To facilitate smooth playback in our automated playback system, each program should fade up from black within the first few seconds, and fade out to black at the end.

AH reserves the right to reject or pull from the schedule programs which fail to meet minimum audio and video technical standards. Audio must be audible. The DVD must send a stable signal over the cable system.

DVDs with paper labels will not be accepted, as these may get jammed in our Playback equipment. If a Presenter cannot make another DVD copy available, AH will make a copy of the DVD following the same rules and fees applicable to the VHS to DVD copying fee.

Programs that do not meet published standards for technical requirements or which lack the proper identifying slate will be returned for correction.

Program Length
Programs are normally scheduled in 30 or 60-minute timeslots, and should be 28:30 or 58:30 in length in order to allow for short announcements and AH promotions between programs. Programs that meet the 30 or 60 minute standard are easily scheduled. Programs that exceed this length may be cut off or rescheduled at AH’s discretion to times when a longer time slot is available.
Programs that are 14 minutes or less in length are used as “filler” at the end of other programs or may be bundled together in 30 or 60 minute programs. These short programs are more difficult to schedule but may receive more unscheduled airtime since they will be used as filler. There is no guarantee that any submitted PSA will air. AH intends to utilize the time between programs primarily for it’s own promotions, for short videos, and for intern-produced work.

Transferring Air Time
Airtime may not be assigned or transferred by producers to another program or individual.

Program Cancellations and No Shows
A presenter may cancel a program or series at any time by notifying the Porgramming Coordinator in writing via email or regular mail.

A producer who is unable to deliver a program or produce a live program must inform AH of the problem at least two business days prior to the scheduled airdate. Three cancellations or no shows within a six-month season may result in loss of the regular scheduled timeslot.