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Producer Guidelines for Program Proposals
| Please Note: Currently HoustonPBS is not accepting new proposals. Please contact us in April for more information. |
The HoustonPBS proposal procedure was created to enrich the KUHT broadcast schedule with emphasis on locally-created programs that reflect the issues, interests and concerns of the audience in our broadcast area. Through our proposal process, independent producers and staff producers may submit proposals and ideas for individual programs or series.
We receive hundreds of proposals each year and only a few move forward into production. HoustonPBS does not capitalize productions; however, once a project has been through the program proposal process and receives an endorsement, it may qualify for a variety of in-kind services, such as program development consultation, online post-production editing, broadcast promotion and distribution through PBS and other public television stations and distribution outlets.
Your proposal will be evaluated by the HoustonPBS Program Proposal Committee which meets on a regular basis to review program proposals. The following list contains elements we look for in evaluating a proposal:
- Houston connection
- Relevance to our programming mission
- Current programming initiatives
- Current production priorities and commitments
- Availability of personnel, facilities and funding
- Funding potential
- Inherent visual nature of subject matter
- Post-broadcast potential
- Expertise of principals
- Feasibility
- Meets an unserved need
While we have no set format for proposals, in order to present a complete proposal, certain information should be included to allow for the best evaluation. This includes the following:
Project description
A brief description detailing the purpose of the project, as well as the format that will be used in order to achieve the established goals of the project.
Target audience
Identify the defining characteristics and needs of the audience the program is created for -- age, sex, education, socio-economic level and ethnicity. How would the proposed project effectively communicate to the targeted audiences' needs.
Publicity/Promotional Strategy
What are the short term and long-term plans to publicize and promote the program? What station(s) would initially broadcast the program? Future broadcast plans?
Funding Requirement
This includes the total cost of the proposed project, how much money the project has already secured, and its source.
Educational Outreach
What, if any, companion resources will be available in conjunction with the program to help achieve the project's educational objectives?
Projects that will receive the most serious consideration will have experienced television professionals working on them, have content directly related to the HoustonPBS programming mission and current priorities and come fully funded. Even fully-funded projects can benefit from the proposal process to ensure a production meets the editorial, production and funding standards required for broadcast on HoustonPBS.
What to consider when submitting a program proposal to HoustonPBS
- Your credentials are very important to us. Let us know if you are a production business or individual and please include a one- to two-page resume detailing the production experience and credits of your key project personnel.
- Include a three- to five-page treatment or story outline for your project. Flesh out the story so that we can clearly visualize your story line. Explain how you are going to convey your story through pictures and sound as well as the purpose of your program. It would be helpful to have information about the principal participants and/or content specialists in the program.
- Include a budget. Tell us how you intend to raise funds for your project and if you have identified any potential funding sources. This will give us a better idea of the scope of your program and help us determine the possibility of HoustonPBS' in-kind participation in your production. (Due to future requirements, we strongly encourage you to include the cost of closed-captioning in your budget.)
- Be sure to include all relevant contact information, address, phone (daytime and evening), fax, web and e-mail addresses.
- We will not consider program proposals that are not accompanied by a signed release.
The HoustonPBS Program Proposal Committee will review your completed proposal within six weeks of receipt.
For consideration, send your proposal package to:
Program Proposal Committee
Programming Department
HoustonPBS
LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting
4343 Elgin St.
Houston, TX 77204-0008
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