All producers who are interested in airing a series of programs and who would like regular airtimes need to complete a NEW ONLINE ‘Program Proposal’.

Please note that this request for new proposals applies to anyone submitting a series- a studio or field production that is weekly or biweekly.

PROGRAMMING:

How can I submit a show?
Programs don’t have to be made here to air here. If you’ve got access to a camera and/or editing facilities, you can bring us a completed program on DVD. If you don’t already have a completed program, the best method is to train and produce here at the studios.

Please note that you must be a member to submit a program for playback and that a current Request for Playback form needs to be submitted with your DVD.

Can I submit a show produced elsewhere?
Many organizations wish to exhibit a nationally or regionally produced program on The Santa Barbara Channels. The only requirements are that a resident of the South Coast area, who is a Member of SB Channels, must sponsor the program, and a ‘Request for Program Playback’ agreement must be completed. Programs made about Santa Barbara topics or by Santa Barbara residents will air in regular rotation with other programs made at our station. Programs that are more generic, not Santa Barbara specific or not made by a local resident, will air less often and not in “prime time.”
Playback Requirements for all content

Programs must be submitted on DVD-R, with the Total Running Time (TRT) and the program title clearly marked. Please note that we do not pre-screen or censor, but that programs that are found to violate our policies on commercial content, adult content or other restrictions may be pulled from playback rotation and that it is possible that a member’s privileges could be impacted by submitting inappropriate content. In addition, please make sure there is no blank air time or bars at the beginning or end of your program.

Single or Special Programs must be accompanied by a Request for Playback form correctly and completely filled out. An APPROVED online ’Program Proposal’ is required for all Series Programs – Request for Playback form is not needed with the DVD when submitting an approved series. Again, programs will only be accepted from members of the SB Channels, but one can become a member in order to submit programming.

SERIES:

All producers submitting programs who want regularly scheduled playback times, need to complete the online ‘Program Proposal’ form. Once the ’Program Proposal’ has been approved, staff will confirm with producer and programming coordinator. Please check the submittal deadlines to determine the frequency of your series. All series programming is due by NOON on the specified due date.

• Weekly producers will receive four regular weekly airtimes
• Bi-Weekly producers will receive two regular weekly airtimes
• Monthly programs are NOT considered a series and will air as Special Programs

Additional airtimes may be added for Series Programs, but will vary week to week in order to retain flexibility in the schedule for new or more timely content. Each week’s schedule will be produced and posted on the web one week in advance of airtimes.

Failure to submit two new programs per the frequency of your series proposal within a six month period may result in loss of the regular scheduled time slot. If three or more submittal deadlines are missed, your scheduled time slots may be canceled or preempted – future programs will be honored as Single Program submissions. To acquire weekly airtimes again, a NEW ‘Series Program Proposal’ will need to be submitted online and NEW weekly airtimes will be assigned.

You may submit multiple new shows in advance of due dates in case you are ill or something arises beyond your control. Each producer is limited to 2 reruns per year. Backups/reruns cannot have aired in the last five months or must contain at least 75% new material.

SINGLE PROGRAMS/SPECIALS:

All producers submitting Specials or Single Programs must complete a ‘Request for Playback’ form for EACH program. We will air every Single- Program/Special a minimum of 4 times.

If your content is time sensitive, please use the submittal deadlines link to determine when your program is due. All Single Programs and Specials need to be turned in by close of business Friday, a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the week you’d like the Program/Special to air.

FEES:

We do our best to keep fees to a minimum. In fact, it costs less to produce a series here than at any time in the last seven years. The primary cost for producing and airing a show is simply your annual $50 membership plus your own time and initiative. If you produce weekly, there are no additional fees. However, for non-weekly programs a DVD Producers Dub is required for each episode submitted for air. It may take up to 24 hours to ingest this into the server. Producers may pick up their Dubs at the end of their scheduled run. To cover the related staff time involved in this process, a nominal $5 fee is charged per Dub for Biweekly, Monthly, and Special or Single Programs.

We look forward to airing your content and another great year of media!

The Santa Barbara Channels Team