BRONXNET OPERATING RULES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL FOR PLAYBACK PRODUCERS Updated August 2018
CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION 3 A. Goals and Objectives 3 B. Location and Contact Information 4 C. Who is eligible to submit content to BRONXNET? 4 II. BEHAVIOR ON BRONXNET PREMISES 4 III. CONTENT STRUCTURE AND RESTRICTIONS 4 A. Types of programs broadcast on BRONXNET 4 B. Prohibited content 5 C. Programming Policy Regarding Pre-Produced Music Videos 5 IV. TECHNICAL PROGRAM STANDARDS 6 A. Requirements for all submission types 6 B. Phone numbers, Website Addresses and Other Contact information 7 V. UNDERWRITER GUIDELINES 7 VI. RESPONSIBILITY 8 VII. VIOLATIONS 8 VIII. MAJOR OFFENSES 8 2
I. INTRODUCTION A. Goals and Objectives: BRONXNET administers and manages six community access cable T.V. channels. These channels are: Bronx On (Optimum 67, FiOS 33) BX Omni (Optimum 68, FiOS 34) BX Life (Optimum 70, FiOS 36) BX Civic (Optimum 952, FiOS 38) BX Culture (Optimum 69, FiOS 35) BX Youth (Optimum 951, FiOS 37) BRONXNET also streams its programs on the organization s website: www.bronxnet.org BRONXNET produces programs and wherever possible, facilitates and assists the community in producing and cable casting programs for, by and about the Bronx. Broadcasting on BRONXNET channels is available on a first come, first-served basis within the following parameters: Overall program composition and flow Considerations of audience building Constraints of schedule building with regard to series, live feeds and special events The goal to create diversity in programming Time on the public access channels is available free of charge. Channel users may not require compensation from individuals or organizations in exchange for appearing on a public access channel. Furthermore, channel time may not be bartered or sold. B. Location and Contact Information: BRONXNET is located at: Main Location Lehman College 250 Bedford Park Blvd West Bronx, NY 10468 BronxNet East Hutch Metro Center Mercy College 1200 Waters Place Bronx, NY 10461 General Contact Info: Phone Number: 718-960-1180 E-mail: info@bronxnet.org 3
C. Who is eligible to submit content to BRONXNET? 1. A Playback Producer: An individual residing in the Bronx or outside of the Bronx, who does not need access to BRONXNET facilities and/or equipment in order to create programming for BRONXNET s designated public access channels. The Playback Producer s program addresses a subject or takes a perspective that BRONXNET believes would resonate with Bronxites. 2. To submit content to BRONXNET, you must be able to verify your identification. Acceptable forms of proof of identification: Current US photo driver s license or ID card issued by the state in which you live in, with your current address which contains a photograph and information such as a name, date of birth, sex, height, eye color. Current school ID card with a photograph U.S. Passport Foreign Passport Resident Alien Card U.S. Military Card New York State BenefitAssistance card 3. BRONXNET reserves the right to cancel a show if up-to-date contact information is not on file at BRONXNET. 4. Each Playback Producer s proof of ID must be reverified annually by January 15th. II. BEHAVIOR ON BRONXNET S PREMISES If ever present on BRONXNET premises, no producer may present himself or herself as an employee or agent of BRONXNET. Programs are independent productions, which are aired or distributed over BRONXNET administered channels. Such misrepresentation constitutes a major violation of BRONXNET policy and exposes the producer to potential criminal liability. Loitering on BRONXNET, Lehman College, or Mercy College property or any violation of policies or regulations of Lehman College or Mercy College, is prohibited. III. CONTENT STRUCTURE AND RESTRICTIONS Each individual is limited to a maximum of three programs at a time. BRONXNET reserves the right to not show all program material. A. Types of programs broadcast on BRONXNET: New Series BRONXNET will schedule all new eligible series on an ongoing basis. All series requests must be submitted via Bronxnet.org. BRONXNET will e-mail scheduling confirmation to producers at least a week prior to their series first run date. Series Programs A series program is defined as a number of episodes, under one single title. 4
Special A special is defined as a program that is scheduled for a limited number of time slots rather than on a recurring basis. The programming department will schedule specials at its discretion. Time Slots Time slots are always available at Bronxnet.org. Please note that only official times are guaranteed and fill slots are subject to change at any time. Time slots are allocated at the sole discretion of BRONXNET s Programming Department. Cancellations During the final week of every month, the Programming Department will review all programs. If it is found that three consecutive series episodes have been missed, the series will be canceled. If a series is canceled, the producer must re-apply and is not guaranteed to retain the same time slot. Resubmission of Programs from Program Violators Producers resubmitting programs after the conclusion of a suspension or cancellation period will be scheduled at the discretion of the Programming Department. Transferring Time Slots and Program Substitution Producers may not transfer time slots to another producer, nor may they air another producer s programming during the time slot that BRONXNET has allocated to them for the cablecasting of their program. B. Presentation of the following material on BRONXNET channels is prohibited: 1. Advertising material designed to promote the sale of commercial products, which wholly or in part depicts, demonstrates or discusses products, services or businesses with intent or substantial effect of benefiting or enhancing a profit-making enterprise. 2. Any material, which identifies any product, service trademarks or brand name on the program other than acknowledgment of underwriting support. 3. The direct solicitation or appeals for funds or other things of value for any and all purposes. 4. Political endorsements or advertising by or on behalf of candidates for public office. 5. Obscenity (Material, as defined by law, that is material that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that considered as a whole, its predominant appeal is to the prurient interest in sex and it depicts or describes in a patently offensive manner, actual or simulated; sexual intercourse, sodomy, sexual bestiality, masturbation, sadism, masochism, excretion, or lewd exhibition of the genitals, and considered as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, and scientific value). Predominant appeal shall be judged with reference to ordinary adults, unless it appears from the character of the material or the circumstances of its dissemination, to be designed for children or other especially susceptible audiences. 6. Any programming which constitutes or promotes any lottery or gambling enterprise in a manner which is in violation of trademark or copyright, or which may violate any local, state or federal law. 7. Materials that constitute libel, slander, invasion of privacy or publicity rights, unfair competition, violation of trademark or copyright, or which may violate any local, state or federal law. 8. Material, which has reasonable probability of creating an immediate danger or damage to property or injury to persons, or of creating a public nuisance. 9. Material or programming which has a reasonable probability of causing the substantial obstruction of law enforcement or other governmental functions or services. Notice: You are required to forewarn the viewer if there is any nudity, violence, or sexual content in a pro- 5
gram that you submit as a producer. Example: The following program contains violent material and as such, viewer discretion is advised. There is nothing in this requirement that should be construed to permit pornography, obscenity, promotion of racial hatred or discrimination, based upon gender, race, sexual preference, nationality, disability, or any other prohibited content. All program rights belong exclusively to the producer of the program and BRONXNET makes no calim upon your rights to your program. C. Programming Policy Regarding Pre-Produced Music Videos: BRONXNET will permit the airing of programs containing music videos providing the following is true: No more than 50% of the program content consists of music videos; No record label or information other than the artist, song title and album title can be identified during the program (either visually or audibly); At no time can the marketing of CDs, videos or other related materials be included in the programming (i.e. where CDs may be purchased, purchase price, concert ticket prices or sales locations, etc.). 1. Locally produced music videos (produced independently, in the Bronx) will continue to be accepted without limitations; 2. As with all programming submitted, the producer must certify that they have all rights and permissions necessary to air the programming, and such proof must be submitted upon demand; 3. In order to ensure proper access to airtime, BRONXNET reserves the right to limit the amount of programming containing music videos, each season. IV. TECHNICAL PROGRAM STANDARDS A. Requirements for all submission types: All producers must register at Bronxnet.org in order to upload files. All new media must be submitted as HD VIDEO: VIDEO CODEC: H.264 ASPECT RATIO: 16:9 RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 FRAMES PER SECOND: 29.97 (29.97fps) FRAME RATE: Constant AUDIO FILE FORMAT: QuickTime Movie (AAC) AUDIO SAMPLING FREQUENCY: 48kHz FILE EXTENSION:.MOV or.mp4 All productions must be 4:3 Title Safe so that when BRONXNET downconverts from HD to SD in order to comply with Optimum and Fios requirements, camera shots and graphics do not appear cut off when cablecast. Audio levels should average -20dB (peak -18dB) Video files must maintain quality throughout the entire program. 6
Programs must not begin or end with color bars or black. BRONXNET will not air submissions that have noticeable video dropout, no video, no audio, extremely low audio, programs with audio sync issues, or do not meet the file size or video resolution requirements. BRONXNET is also not responsible if the program does not air as scheduled for any reason. BRONXNET has no restrictions on the running time of content submitted by Playback Producers. If the series episodes submitted by Playback Producers are of varying lengths, the series episodes may be scheduled as specials. However, a series that has a consistent running time of 28:00, 28:30, 29:00 minutes or 58:00, 58:30, 59:00 minutes, is eligible for a regular, ongoing time slot. Video files for programs that are considered a Series must be labeled with program name then air date. For example, RawReview-4-9-18. Pilot submissions must be labeled with the show name, followed by the word pilot. For example, MusicShow-pilot. This does not apply to programs that are considered Specials. Video files must be submitted at least 5 days prior to air for two reasons: to allow the programming team enough time to provide quality-control and to allow enough time for submitted video content descriptions to be processed by Gracenote and Optimum for display on the appropriate channel program guide. All pre-produced and/or live programming cablecast on the BRONXNET channels must clearly identify the producer at the end of the program, at minimum. B. Phone Numbers, Website Addresses and Other Contact information: No program can include visual or audible contact information, except to identify the producer at the end of the program. This contact information must be non-commercial. V. UNDERWRITER GUIDELINES 1. Underwriter credits will be listed only at the beginning and closing of the program: Funding for the program provided in part by. This program is underwritten by. Sets, wardrobe and etc. provided by 2. Voice over is acceptable as long as it follows the guidelines. 3. Underwriter s graphic or animation must be limited to 10 seconds. 4. Support within any program shall not make use of the word sponsor. 7
VI. RESPONSIBILITY 1. Playback Producers of BRONXNET channels are fully responsible and liable for all content material cablecast within their programs. 2. Playback Producers will be required to complete in full and sign a User Agreement acknowledging their knowledge and responsibility for the total program content. 3. Playback Producers are responsible for all copyright clearances, talent releases, other clearances, rights or licenses involved in their programming. 4. Playback Producers are responsible for any misrepresentations arising from their programming or production activity. 5. Playback Producers must have a signed User Agreement on file at BRONXNET guaranteeing to indemnify and hold harmless BRONXNET, its Directors, Officers, Employees and its Agents, in claims of libel, slander, invasion of privacy or public rights, unauthorized use of copyright material, or noncompliance with any applicable local, state or federal law. VII. VIOLATIONS Violations of BRONXNET s program content policies and rules, or breach of the Statement of Compliance may subject the user to immediate forfeiture of the privilege of using BRONXNET channels, equipment and facilities. Please note: BRONXNET is not under any obligation to air a program more than once. VIII. MAJOR OFFENSES A. In accordance with the Rules and Procedures, the following offenses may result in immediate suspension of all BRONXNET privileges, or in some cases criminal prosecution: 1. Abusive behavior towards BRONXNET staff, producers, or visitors 2. No individual shall have in his possession a rifle, shotgun or firearm or knowingly have in his possession any other dangerous instrument or material that can be used to inflict bodily harm on any individual or damage upon a building or the grounds of the university/college without the written authorization of such educational institution. Nor shall any individual have in his possession any other instrument or material which can be used and is intended to inflict bodily harm on an individual or damage upon a building or the grounds. 3. Misuse or abuse of BRONXNET resources. 4. Theft or vandalism of the property of BRONXNET or of any BRONXNET staff, producer or visitor. 5. Making false or misleading statements on any BRONXNET document. 6. Chronic and willful disregard for BRONXNET Rules and Procedures. 7. Violation of any regulations of CUNY, Lehman College or Mercy College. 8
B. ALL Producers may appeal sanctions in the following manner: 1. When disputes or disagreements with decisions and rulings of BRONXNET occur, the complainant will request in writing, within two weeks of the dispute, an appointment with the Executive Director to discuss the matter. The Executive Director will schedule an appointment within one week upon receipt of the written request. A decision will be communicated in writing within one week of the meeting. 2. If the decision of the Executive Director is unacceptable, a written appeal may be filed with the Chair of the Bronx Community Cable Programming Corporation s Board of Directors. The chair of the Board reserves the right to convene a hearing before a panel of the Board at his or her discretion. The decision of the chair or the panel is final. 9