Distribution Services
Distribution Services is responsible for all broadcast program
material delivered to American Public Television. This service works
with producers, suppliers and presenting stations to ensure that
material is technically acceptable and ready for broadcast. We schedule
all distribution, both satellite and "bike." Distribution
Services is your contact for receiving all broadcast tapes, on-air
promo reels, information on satellite feeds and refeeds.
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Technical Specifications
Technical Specification word documents for download
TV Ratings Icons
Instructions for on-air icon use: The appropriate icon should appear in the upper left corner of the picture frame for the first 15 seconds of a program. The icon should be 52 scan lines high and have at least a 70% density. Either a white background with black text or a black background with white text may be used to ensure that the icon can be clearly seen against any program opening.
Download the TV ratings icons for all formats. Problems downloading? Contact Ginny_Hamilton@APTonline.org.
APT Logo
Advisory: the HD and WideScreen Logos are not meant for use with standard desktop media players and should only be used with editing software. Playing them with Windows Media player or Quicktime might affect your desktop settings.
To download:
For PC users, click right mouse button on the link and choose "Save Link As."
For Mac users: Hold down option and click on the link.
Download standard definition zipped LOGO mpeg2 file (password protected)
Download widescreen LOGO zipped mpeg2 file (password protected)
Download HD LOGO zipped mpeg2 file (password protected)
Download APT Static Logo (password protected)
E/I Bug
The E/I Bug must appear on all APT core mission children's programs. For further information, see APT tech specs.
"E/I" Bug and Guidelines:
This is a Targa file with an accompanying alpha channel. The Targa file has logo opacity, upper right positioning and sizing embedded.
The resolution of the file is 720x486.
The transparency level of the "E/I" bug is 85%.
Download "E/I" Bug .jpg
Download "E/I" Bug .tif
Download SIT file for MACS
Download "E/I" Bug On-Screen Sample
VOCA Forms
VOCA (Voice Over Credit Announcement). Stations can use this information to schedule and create in advance specific "stay tuned" broadcast announcements to run during the credits of a program.
American Public Television provides this information to stations for each program that is under distribution. VOCA information must be provided by the program's producer or presenting station 8 weeks prior to feed.
NOTE: If you are submitting a series for distribution, VOCA information for each episode must be provided.
Download form
Please return this form to:
Ginny Hamilton
American Public Television
55 Summer Street
4th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
or via fax at: 617-338-5369
Technical Evaluation Forms
All tapes submitted for broadcast must be delivered with the fully completed APT Technical Evaluation form. Tapes delivered without fully completed tape evaluation forms will be evaluated by APT's authorized agent, and the producing entity will be charged for this evaluation. Additionally, tapes not passing APT's spot-check evaluation wil be charged back for any subsequent spot evaluations until tapes are cleared for broadcast.
Download NTSC form
Download HD form
Please include form with tapes delivered to APT or send to:
Ginny Hamilton
American Public Television
55 Summer Street
4th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
or via fax at: 617-338-5369
Shipping Information
Send BetaSp, Dub B's, promos, all WS/HD tapes to:
AMERICAN PUBLIC TELEVISION
55 Summer Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
617-338-4455
Attn: Distribution Services
Ship SD masters to:
Connecticut Public Television
ATTN: Uplink
1049 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
If you have any questions about where to send a tape, please contact
APT's Distribution Manager
(Virginia_Hamilton@APTonline.org) or call 617-338-4455, Ext. 140.
Distribution FAQs
- What is a bicycle (bike) tape?
- Where can I find the APT Technical Specifications?
- I have arranged for a pre-release. How do I get the program?
- Where should the TV Rating Icon go?
- Where can I get the TV Ratings Icon?
- Where can I get the APT Logo?
- Can I get rid of these tapes in our library?
- What do I do with expired shows?
- Does the underwriter credit need to be closed captioned on a closed captioned program?
What is a bicycle (bike) tape?
A "bike tape" is an APT packaged broadcast quality dub which can be borrowed from the APT library. Stations are welcome to borrow the bike tapes in the event they missed the original satellite feeds. Bike tapes remain APT property and only a request from APT can move a bike tape to another location. Please see our bike tape policy for further rules and booking information.Bike requests can be e-mailed to APT's Traffic Coordinator.
Where can I find the APT Technical Specifications?
Find the Videotape Technical Requirements for each program in the Producer's Handbook under Technical Specifications.
I have arranged for a pre-release. How do I get the program?"
Send tape booking request to APT Traffic Coordinator.
Where should the TV Rating Icon go?"
Instructions for on-air icon use:
The appropriate icon should appear in the upper left corner of the picture frame for the first 15 seconds of a program. The icon should be 52 scan lines high and have at least a 70% density. Either a white background with black text or a black background with white text may be used to ensure that the icon can be clearly seen against any program opening.
Where can I get the TV Ratings Icon?
http://www.aptonline.org/aptweb.nsf/vOtherDocs/Producers-Ratings+Icons
Where can I get the APT Logo?
http://www.aptonline.org/aptweb.nsf/vProducers/Index-Distribution+Services#9
Can I get rid of these tapes in our library?
As part of the Bike agreement, stations must house APT bicycle tapes in their library until APT requests they be sent to another station.
Should you have questions as to whether a program is still in rights, contact APT's Traffic Coordinator to determine whether and/or where the tapes should be shipped.
Does the underwriter credit need to be closed captioned?
All elements of the program must be closed captioned. The only exception is when the audio matches the textual elements on the screen.
| Distribution
Services Staff: |
Ginny Hamilton
Manager, Distribution Services
617-338-4455 X140
Satellite Feeds, Refeeds, Technical problems with tapes |
Robyn Mills
Traffic Coordinator
617-338-4455 X134
Bike tapes, on-air promos, APT Promo Reels and expired media |
Margot DuBois
Operations Assistant
617-338-4455 X141
Program length, operations logs |
Bicycle Distribution Policies
To book a tape for broadcast, send a booking request to APT's Traffic
Coordinator (Robyn_Mills@APTonline.org). Check APT's Bicycle
Tape Policy for booking instructions.
Program Feed Information
Information on satellite feeds can be found in the APT Program
Release and in APT's Contract Confirmation announcement in Connect. It can also be found on the APT monthly/weekly logs on PBS Connect/programs/schedules/reports schedules.
If you need an urgent refeed of a program or need help locating
program feed information, please send an email to APT's Distribution Manager,Virginia_Hamilton@APTonline.org, or call 617-338-4455, Ext.
140.
Did you miss the feed?
For urgent satellite refeed information or requests, please send
an email to APT's Traffic Coordinator,
Robyn_Mills@APTonline.org, or call 617-338-4455, Ext.
134.
Promo Reel Information
APT Program Promo Reels are fed twice a month. Feed information,
rundowns and timings are posted to the conferences:
Advisories-Refeeds forums and the Program Promos forum on Connect
To find out which reel a promo was fed on search APT's Promo Reels.
To book a promo or APT Promo Reel, send a tape booking request to
APT's Traffic
Coordinator (robyn_mills@aptonline.org). Please check APT's Promo
Bike Policy for promo booking instructions.
Screening Copies
To get a screening copy for a station call 617-338-4455 or send
an email to:
Exchange
Syndication
Premium Service
Presentation Services
Viewers' questions can be answered by sending an email to APT Viewer
Services or by leaving a message on our hotline at 617-338-4455,
Extension 202.
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