Editorial Guidelines
for MN Channel

Production Guidelines
for MN Channel

Why is tpt developing the Minnesota Channel?

The on-going conversion of American broadcast television to "digital" transmission is resulting in major change. tpt, for example, has expanded from providing two-channels of free broadcast service to the Twin Cities (Channels 2 & 17) to seven channels. At the same time, we know that many Minnesota non-profits create terrific "content" (in the form of events and services) but lack sufficiently effective distribution for that content. Together, this combination of opportunities and needs offers us an opportunity to create new Minnesota programming…. in a manner that will benefit many other worthy organizations and become self-supporting over time.

How does the Minnesota Channel fit with other tpt productions?

Traditionally, tpt has focused much of its work on "journalism" since those are the programs that require the skill and relative objectivity of professionals not directly involved in the issues under examination. But public television is not limited to journalism. It can and should also explore and celebrate the many non-controversial aspects of life in our community.

Journalism: programs examining complex and frequently controversial events and issues.

Public Service: programs that simply and directly transmit non-controversial information useful to the public.

Event Coverage: programs providing live or taped coverage of performances, lectures, town meetings and the like created by organizations committed to honest public service.

Inspirational: programming designed to model and encourage positive behaviors (ie "active lifestyles," "smoking cessation" etc.)

While tpt believes that controversial issues of "journalism" should be managed by professional journalists, there are many, many other program types that are perfectly appropriate as joint-productions between tpt and other mission-similar community organizations.

What kind of partnerships?

Twin Cities Public Television is pursuing discussions with organizations that share our mission of honest community-service. With such groups we explore joint-productions in which tpt would seek to adapt for broadcast "content" created by or with the non-profit partner. This "content" could include speeches, lectures, concerts, performances, documentaries and the like. This specifically does NOT include "infomercials" or other primarily self-promotional vehicles.

Where are Minnesota Channel shows seen?

The Minnesota Channel has none of the limitations of cable-only program services. Even before any additional distribution, Minnesota Channel can be received by 98% of residents of the Twin Cities and 70% of the people of Minnesota via…

Broadcast Television
Digital Broadcast Television
Cable Television
Satellite Television
Worldwide Web Streaming Video

Once fully developed, (likely mid-2005) the Minnesota Channel programs will be broadcast via ALL of the above-mentioned means PLUS its own dedicated 24/7 free, digital broadcast service called the Minnesota Channel. Currently, Minnesota Channel programs can be seen

Saturday nights, 7PM-12AM
Sundays nights, 6PM-12AM

While The Minnesota Channel is first and foremost a free, over-the-air broadcast service available to everyone in our viewing area, it is also rebroadcast via cable and satellite services in many parts of Greater Minnesota. Twin Cities Public Television is also eager to make programs available on-line (archived and streamed) for partners who want this service. For programs of overwhelming statewide interest, tpt will attempt to secure broadcast on the states five other public television stations.

Why would a non-profit partner want to participate?

Enhanced community impact. Multiple broadcasts on the Minnesota Channel will normally result in audiences of between 10,000 and 20,000 Minnesotans (depending of course on the nature of the program). Our hope is that partners will find this to be an innovative and cost-effective method for dramatically expanding the impact in the community of their best work.

What is each partner expected to do?

Basically, tpt offers to provide broadcast time, promotion time and limited production funding and support in exchange for the partner providing limited production funding and project development. Twin Cities Public Television and the partner share responsibility for project design, budget development and promotion.

What does each partner get?

Twin Cities Public Television seeks the right to broadcast the program an unlimited number of times over an extended period of time. Partners own all other rights including the right to sell or otherwise re-distribute the program.

How do these partnerships get started?

First, senior staffs of tpt and the partner meet to better understand each other's goals and capabilities. Once both partners agree to proceed, tpt prepares a plan and budget that is discussed and modified during a second meeting with operational staff of both organizations. The project is then executed, edited, evaluated and scheduled for broadcast (at a time chosen in close cooperation between the partners). We then begin planning for the next joint project.

What kinds of programs does the Minnesota Channel pursue?

Minnesota Channel partners have produced an impressive variety of programs including…

Statewide Political Debates
Speeches / Lectures
Performances / Concerts
Citizen Briefings / Town Meetings
Weekly studio-based series
Full Documentaries

What kind of projects won't the Minnesota Channel pursue?

We operate under a set of editorial guidelines. Of course, we will not pursue projects designed, in any way, to mislead Minnesotans. In practice this means that we will not pursue projects that are primarily focused on self-promotion, lobbying or include an unbalanced presentation of matters of current public controversy.

Which organizations are already working on Minnesota Channel projects?

An amazing variety of more than twenty-five Minnesota organizations, both small and large, are currently working on Minnesota Channel projects, including…

Mayo Clinic
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Minnesota International Center
Saint Paul Neighborhood Network
Carlson School of Management
Humphrey Institute
Landmark Center
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Office of the Governor (2001)
Afton Historical Society Press
Saint John's University
Kev Koom Siab (Hmong-language production)
Courage Center
Minnesota Department of Health (ECHO Project)

What does this normally cost the partners?

This obviously varies widely depending on the requirements of the partner. The partner's share of straight-forward speeches and lectures normally runs around $5,000. Studio-based specials normally cost $5,000 - $15,000 (less if part of an on-going series). Documentaries have cost about $30,000.

So, Minnesota Channel is limited to organizations that can help pay for production?

No. While our goal is to make the Minnesota Channel self-sufficient over time, we also contribute broadcast time to a number of organizations serving groups traditionally under-served by mainstream media. In the past 12 months that list of projects has included…

Kev Koom Siab (Hmong community)
Geetmala (Indian Community)
BelAhdan (Arab Community)
Chai City (South Asian Community)
Zona Latina (Latino Community)

Programs like these are normally first produced as volunteer-supported "cable access" series and then accepted for re-broadcast via the Minnesota Channel. Twin Cities Public Television works with each group to assure the highest possible production values are maintained.

Not "Infomercials for non-profits

We insist that programs not be primarily self-promotional. Rather, programs need to serve the public through broadcast of content that supports the missions of both organizations. So, for example, we would not pursue a partnership with a hospital to discuss the attributes of that hospital. We WOULD pursue a partnership with that same hospital if the topic of the presentation were "new developments in Pediatrics" and featured the participation of multiple health care facilities.

Have government agencies been involved?

Yes, to the extent that tpt and State Agencies share a mission of "citizen-information." In that regard we have produced several "Citizen Briefing" projects (Homeland Security, Mad Cow Disease, Chronic Wasting Disease) designed to facilitate direct communications between state government and the people of Minnesota. To assure completeness and fairness, these briefings are accompanied by some form of Q&A with a neutral group of citizens or journalists selected by tpt. We have also produced several full documentaries with state agencies ("Invasive Pests" "Lilac Way").

Do you accept independent or other community productions?

Yes, and we have already developed good working relationships with a number community producers including SPNN and others. Right now, of course, available broadcast time is somewhat limited. But once we are operating 24/7, there should be many more opportunities for cooperation

Do you work with for-profit firms as well?

Yes, if we feel the project is a true "public service" and not self-promotional (beyond the normal "production funding credit at the top and bottom of each broadcast.

How is "Control" over the project managed?

In general, tpt and the partner reach early consensus on the overall design and focus of the project. The partner brings to the discussion specific content expertise and tpt provides production and broadcast savvy. If consensus proves difficult, the project does not move ahead. As in all programs, tpt is charged by the FCC with having sole responsibility for all final broadcast decisions.

How are program speakers/hosts chosen?

Again, consensus is key here. In general we try to avoid using hosts who are closely associated with the partner because that can sometimes appear too self-promotional. A key exception would be instances when an employee is uniquely qualified to serve in that role.

What is the relationship between Minnesota Channel and your journalistic efforts like Almanac?

There is no connection, although it is sometimes true that Almanac staff may become interested in a Minnesota Channel project and give some attention to it. This is, however, solely at the discretion of the Almanac staff.