Alameda TV Alameda Power & Telecom
Producer Information

Alameda TV is composed of two cable access channels.

Local producers of public access programs, or producers sponsored by an Alameda resident or business may submit programs for scheduling on Alameda TV.

 

Channel 15 goverment access programming is provided by the City of Alameda.

PA/EA Channel 31 public access programming is provided, or sponsored, by residents or organizations of Alameda. A limited amount of Community Programming is provided by Alameda Power & Telecom's Alameda TV. Edcational programming on Channel 31 is provided by the Alameda Unified School District.

Local producers of public access programs, or producers sponsored by an Alameda resident or business, may submit programs for scheduling on Alameda TV.

The topics listed below provide guidelines, policies and other information for submitting public access programs to be cablecast on Channel 31.

Alameda TV Web Site

Alameda TV's web site is www.alamedatv.org.

The web site provides:

  • Full programming schedules for all three Alameda TV channels
  • Program descriptions
  • Producer Information
  • Alameda TV Policies and Operations Information
  • Alameda TV News
  • Online Knowledge Centers

Back to top

Categories of Programs

Believing in the value of Public and Educational Access cable TV, Alameda TV routinely asks for information that will help schedule and market programs within the A-TV schedule.

TOPIC
Animals/Pets
Arts
Books/Poetry
City Affairs
Comedy/Satire
Comic Book/Animation
Community Affairs
Cooking
Cultural Issues
Education
Environmental
Erotica
Gender/Sexuality
Fashion
Fix it / How To
Financial / Business
Food
Health
History
Music
Multicultural
News
Poetry
Politics
Public Affairs
Religious/Spiritual
Self-Help
Sports/Outdoor
Other ______________________

FORMAT/STYLE
Animation
Children
Comedy/Satire
Documentary
Drama
Film
Experimental
Music Videos
News / Magazine
Performance (instrumental, singing, etc.)
Sitcom
Talk Show
Variety
Other ________________________

LANGUAGE (primary)
Cantonese
English
French
Japanese
Korean
Mandarin
Filipino / Tagalog
Russian
Spanish
Other _____________________

TARGET AUDIENCE
African-American
Asian /Asian-American
Children
Differently-abled
Gay / Lesbian
General
Latino
Mature/Adults Only
Seniors
Other________________________

Back to top

Content

Though Alameda TV does not have authority over the content of cablecasts submitted, it does suggest that Producers keep in mind the overall goal -- that Public Access, Educational, and Government cable TV access should "provide content and forums that will encourage community dialogue, cultural expression and exchange, and education through the medium of television."

Back to top

Content Categories

To create the most advantageous scheduling for the community of Alameda, Alameda TV asks for information to help categorize programs:

  • Topic - Arts, Education, News, Food, Religion, etc.
  • Language - The language is primarily spoken, etc.
  • Format/Structure - Drama, Documentary, Talk Show, Variety, etc
  • Target Audience - Men, Women, Children, Seniors, Differently-Abled, etc.

For more detail, please see Categories of Programs.

Back to top

Content Responsibility

The Producer is solely responsible for the content of his/her submitted program. A legal agreement must be signed stating that the Producer takes sole responsibility for the submitted program.

By signing this form Alameda TV is indemnified of any defamation, copyright infringement or legal action resulting from cablecasting a program.

In summary, by signing the Legal Agreement form the Producer states that the program does not contain any of the following:

  • Advertising or other material that promotes a commercial product, service or lottery
  • Unlawful use of copyrighted material
  • Content that violates state or federal law relating to obscenity
  • Content that is libelous, slanderous or defamatory in character or that is an unlawful invasion of privacy

Back to top

Encore Showings of Programs

Additional cablecasts are at the discretion of the Executive Director or by agreement with the Producer.

Back to top

Forms

All the forms for submitting programs to Alameda TV can be downloaded from the list below. Standard release forms can also be found here.

Back to top

Grants/Sponsorships

Producers may seek grants and sponsorship from outside sources for the production of program.

Underwriting for these programs must be for goods, services, in-kind contributions and/or donations that aid in developing and improving the productions.

Credit for underwriting should be as follows: "This program was made possible in part through a grant from..." or "Goods and services used in this program were contributed by...."

Any underwriting or sponsorship arrangements should be revealed to Alameda TV Staff in advance of scheduling.

Back to top

Internships

We have a number of local independent producers contributing regualaryly to Channel 31. If you're interested in working on a local production, we can connect you up. We also offer some opportunities for working on productions covering local meetings and events. Call 510-814-5682 for more information.

Back to top

Marketing

Alameda Power & Telecom believes that cable TV public and educational access programming provides a valuable service to the community of the City of Alameda. It also acknowledges this programming can serve as a key differentiator in its service vs. competition.

AP&T will make every effort to market to Channel 31 programming through a number of marketing channels:

  • Alameda TV Web Site
  • Alameda Power & Telecom web site
  • AlamedaNET main web page
  • Offline Marketing (newspaper ads, press releases) as warranted

Marketing decisions and strategy are at the complete discretion of Alameda TV and Alameda Power & Telecom.

Back to top

Mature Audience Programs

Under Alameda TV's Program Policies any program with adult, violent or medically graphic programming must carry the following disclaimer.

"The following program contains adult, violent or medically graphic programming."

Programs containing adult content will be scheduled after 10 pm.

These programs must be clearly labeled as Adult content on both the Alameda TV Program Request Form and the tape or DVD itself.

Back to top

Mission and Goals

Alameda TV's mission is to provide the City of Alameda with choices in television programming that originate from within the community. By supplying access for public, educational and government programming, Alameda Power & Telecom provides the local views and voices needed by the community to strengthen and evolve.

The goal is to provide quality cable television content that will encourage community dialogue, cultural expression and exchange, and education through the medium of television.

Back to top

Program/Content Ownership

Producers own the copyright to their programs.

Back to top

Programming Hours

Due to reduced funding for Channel 31, normal cablecasting hours are now Tuesday through Thursday evenings. Programs maya occasionally air on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Back to top

Release Form

Alameda TV suggests that any individuals appearing in a submitted program should sign a Release Form. A standard release form can be downloaded here or you may also use one your own.

Back to top

Scheduling of Programs

Alameda TV Channel 31 currently operates on cablecasting year basis. As demand for slots grow, this schedule may be modified.

Assuming there are open time slots, a series may be submitted at any time. Producers of series programs are encouraged to make their scheduling request at least 30 days before the first scheduled cablecast.

Individual program submissions can be made at any time and are scheduled as they are submitted.

Scheduling is done on both a bi-weekly basis and a season basis.

Individual programs may be scheduled further than two weeks ahead.

Time slots may be requested on a first come, first served basis, but final scheduling is under the discretion of Alameda TV. First come first served is balanced with providing the most access to the most individuals.

Programs containing adult content will be scheduled after 10 pm. These programs must be clearly labeled as Adult content on both the Alameda TV Program Request Form and the tape or DVD itself.

Back to top

Studio/Equipment/Editing Access

Channel 31 provides portable video equipment for location filming. Three mini-DV cameras may be borrowed. Access to a post-production video workstation at the Alameda Free Library is coming soon. To access this workstation, users must have attended a Alameda TV/Channel 31 approved training program.

Back to top

Submitting a Video to Cinema Alameda

If you're a film-maker from anywhere in the the USA, your film can be a part of our Cinema Alameda series.

You do not have to be an Alameda resident or have an Alameda sponsor. (However, movies produced or sponsored by Alameda residents will have scheduling priority.)

Alameda TV will confirm program scheduling within 7 days of submission. Email is the preferred contact medium.

Submission consists of a:

Tapes and submission forms should be dropped off at, or mailed to:

Alameda Power & Telecom Service Center
Telecom Service Counter
2000 Grand St
Alameda 94501

Back to top

Submitting a Program to Alameda TV

Programming time on Alameda Power & Telecom Cable Television Channel 31 is open to all Alameda residents.

All Public Access programs (Channel 31) must be submitted by an Alameda resident; however, Alameda Residents may sponsor programs produced by others outside the city if they can justify relevance to community of Alameda.

Programs produced by Alameda residents will have scheduling priority over programming sponsored by Alameda residents.

Programs are scheduled by Alameda TV staff with the objective of presenting a balanced and quality programming schedule.

Programs are scheduled in a combination of first-come first-served and presenting a wide variety of categories each day.

Programs must meet our Technical Standards/ Formats/ Specifications.

Back to top

Submitting a Single Program to Alameda TV

Public Access programs should be submitted a minimum two weeks before the desired programming time. Other arrangements are possible by contacting Ed Schneider (Media Director) at 510-814-5682.

Alameda TV will confirm program scheduling within 7 days of submission. E-mail is the preferred contact medium.

Submission consists of a:

Tapes and submission forms should be dropped off at:

Alameda Power & Telecom Service Center
Telecom Service Counter
2000 Grand St
Alameda 94501

If the individual submitting a program is not the Producer, he/she must obtain have permission and rights from the Producer or distribution agency to cablecast a program on Alameda TV.

Back to top

Submitting a Series to Alameda TV

A Series is defined as programs that appear weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Assuming there are open time slots, a series may be submitted at any time.

Series programs are generally scheduled at least 30 days before the first scheduled cablecast.

Producers commit by applying for Series Status by filling out and submitting a Program Request Form which provides for a consistent time-slot for one season and also signing the Legal Agreement.

Applying for Series Status

To be eligible for Series Status a Producer must:

  • Demonstrate the capability to produce programming that meets playback standards. Capability may be demonstrated by:
    • Having had at least three programs on Alameda TV, or another public access channel.
    • Submission of at least three completed programs for review by Alameda TV.

Tapes and submission forms should be dropped off at:

Alameda Power & Telecom Service Center
Telecom Service Counter
2000 Grand St
Alameda 94501

Confirmation

Alameda TV will confirm series program scheduling within 7 days after the Series submission deadline. Email is the preferred contact medium.

Renewing a Series

Producers wishing to renew their series at the end of a season must complete a new Program Request Form.

Time slots from one season to the next are not guaranteed. Program scheduling is at the discretion of Alameda TV.

Back to top

Back to top

Technical Standards/Formats/Specifications

Format - DVD, S-VHS or VHS. DVD is the preferred format.

Programs should meet minimum audio and video technical standards, which include consistent control track, video and audio.

Videotapes must be clearly labeled with the following:

  • Individual title
  • Name and phone number of the producer
  • Exact program length and in-point and out-point

The following standards and specifications should be followed. Any variation in specifications outside the following are at the discretion of Alameda TV.


  • One program per tape or DVD.
  • Exact In-Point (precise number of seconds from the beginning of the videotape to the first frame of actual program content) (Programs on tape should have 30 second of leader).
  • Programs on DVD are not required to have a 30 second second leader.
  • Exact Length of program (in hours, minutes and seconds, from first frame of program content to last frame of content) ______ : ______ : _______ (hours:minutes:seconds)
  • Programs should ideally be fit within a time slot of 28:30 minutes, 58:30 minutes or 1 hour and 58:30 minutes in length. Shorter lengths fitting within those periods are acceptable at the discretion of AlamedaTV

Back to top

Training

Alameda TV currently provides a limited number of scholarships for selected digital video production training. For information, call 510-814-5682.

Plans to provide training at a future time are in-progress.

Back to top