Weekly Primetime Television Series
Grant: Weekly Primetime Television Series
Agency: Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
Division: Diversity and Innovation Fund
Deadline: September 15, 2010. Proposals will be accepted beginning July 26, 2010.
Description: The Diversity and Innovation Fund is soliciting proposals to provide the National Program Service (NPS) with a new weekly primetime series – content that will expand viewership and usage, reaching an adult audience on-air and online that reflects the diversity of the 40-64 year old population in the U.S. Specifically, with this program, the Diversity and Innovation Fund seeks to:
- Diversify the NPS by attracting more racially and ethnically diverse viewers and web visitors within the target demographic.
- Expand the current NPS audience through the increased use of content created by a diverse group of producers and through the effective use of new and emerging technologies.
- Leverage the talent and creativity of executive producers and producers from minority and underserved communities.
- Build capacity for the public media system from within those communities.
- Encourage innovation in the planning, production and distribution of public media content.
The content should be conceived and budgeted with multiple platform use (broadcast, internet, mobile, DVD, etc.) in mind from the outset. As producers develop their proposals and ultimately their pilot programs, they should consider not only the traditional broadcast components but also the digital strategy which may include web presence, mobile applications, social media, inclusion in the Digital Learning Library and/or PBS Teachers, etc.
The Diversity and Innovation Fund encourages proposals for a variety of popular genres, including science, history, travel, natural history and exploration, but excluding children's, drama or news and public affairs content.
Applicants should submit proposals for a series of 10 episodes that can be produced for $375,000 per hour (or less) with attendant rights that allow for the efficient use of the content on all distribution platforms. The intent is to pilot several projects. One or more will then be selected for series production.
To better reach the target audience, each television-centered, multi-platform project budget should include an appropriate level of funding for marketing across all platforms. Similarly, to maximize impact, each project budget should include an appropriate level of funding for meaningful and measurable engagement plans. Partnerships are encouraged. Producers should consider working closely with the National Center for Media Engagement (NCME) and public radio to develop and implement engagement plans.
The planned outcomes for this program are:
- An expanded pool of new and diverse content creators and editorial leaders.
- Content that reaches an audience that is measurably more diverse, while reaching a broad general audience target at or above PBS's primetime average.
- Distribution of content through existing and emerging public media infrastructure.
- Innovative use of technology to support content identification and selection.
- Increased use of low-cost production models.
- Innovative use of digital media techniques and services that enhance the ability for content to be found via search, syndication and social networks.
Fit for public broadcasting: This grant opportunity is specifically intended to develop new weekly primetime television series that diversify the NPS and encourage innovation in the planning, production and distribution of public media content.
Anticipated funding: Applicants should submit proposals for a series of 10 episodes that can be produced for $375,000 per hour. The intent is to pilot several projects. One or more will then be selected for series production. The cost of promotion, outreach, station relations, new media deployment (exclusive of rights) and publicity do not have to be included in the $375,000/hour target but should be factored into the overall project budget.
How to apply: Applicants must submit two hard-copies to PBS and can begin submitting applications on July 26, 2010.
Resources:
Program notice
CPB/PBS Diversity and Innovation Fund
Producing for PBS
