Citizens Television, Inc. Comcast Channels 23, 26, 27. Hamden, New Haven and West Haven (CT)

2666 State St
Hamden, CT.,
06517-2232
ph: 203-562-2288
fax: 203-562-0864


Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday: 10:30am-9:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 6pm
Sunday: 12pm - 6pm

CTV is closed Every Friday!

Tape Guide

Video Tape Submission

TECHNICAL GUIDELINES

Citizens Television provides airtime to community producers of programs on an equitable basis and strives to protect and enhance the public’s First Amendment rights. While Citizens Television can exert no editorial control over content of productions submitted, we reserve the right to determine if a video tape may be aired when it fails adherence to these technical specifications.

Any producer or sponsor submitting a program to air at CTV must observe the following technical guidelines:

VIDEO TAPE TECHNICAL STANDARDS:

· 1/2” tapes must be S-VHS or Professional/Industrial (P/I) grade. (CTV sells these types of tapes at reasonable prices or they may also be purchased at other establishments which sell professional video supplies.)

· Tapes must have an opening bumper, which includes a 10 second countdown, so that the tape can be accurately cued up to the start of the program.

· A CTV logo or station ID is requested at the start of any show produced utilizing CTV facilities (A CTV countdown and logo are included on the “Bumper” tapes we supply in the edit rooms). Tapes should also have a minimum of 15 seconds of black at the beginning and end of the program.

· All tapes must have a continuous video signal with proper audio and video signal levels.

LABELING OF TAPES:

1. Labels (now pre-printed and available here at CTV) must be placed on the short bottom end of a 1/2” tape box (not the tape itself). The tape itself should have a matching label on the face (top flat part with the square indent) of the tape

2. Labels must be legible and state the following:

· The actual name of your show, not the episode name -- no abbreviations.

· The exact total running time in minutes and seconds. (ie: TRT - 28:30)

· The specific air-date of the program. (If one has been assigned to your tape.)

Tapes which are not correctly labeled and timed will not air.

RUNNING TIME OF TAPES:

The typical maximum length for programs is 28:30 or 58:30

Shows which exceed these times run the risk of being cut off.

SUBMISSION OF TAPES FOR CABLECAST:

· Weekday programs must be in CTV’s possession by 10:00am the day they air. Tapes must be given to a staff person or left in the exterior drop box. If leaving a tape in the exterior drop-box, please call CTV and leave a message to that effect.

· Friday, Weekend, and Monday morning programs must be submitted no later than Thursday by 9:30 PM, since we program for the weekend on Friday morning.

Tapes submitted after the specified period will not air until the next scheduled air date. An archived tape will be used in its place if there is one available.

Standard Tape Disclaimers

(Standard disclaimer - to appear at the beginning of programs
cablecast at Citizens Television)

“The following program does not necessarily reflect
the views, opinions or expressions of
Citizens Television, Inc. or those
of its employees, advisory council, or Comcast.”

“Citizens Television may not and does not
exercise any editorial control over any production
on its channels except those specifically produced by CTV.”

Programs cablecast on Citizens Television which contain excessively violent material, excessive adult language, nudity or sexually explicit material shall carry the following disclaimer at the beginning of and near the middle of the program:

“This program contains material that may not be
suitable for all viewers. Parental discretion is advised.”

FAILURE TO EXCLUDE DISCLAIMERS MAY RESULT IN A PRODUCTION BEING REMOVED FROM THE PLAYLIST.

(Please refer to the Citizens Television Rules and procedures section VII. PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNELS for more information.)