This Summer, Get Your Own Cable TV Show

May 03, 2021

Posted by Emily Roland


We're opening up series applications for the Summer season starting May 5th at 2pm until May 19th at 9pm for new and existing series producers. Please read as there are updates for series producers. Thanks for your patience while we consistently evaluate community and staff needs and make adjustments to this process in real time. 
Having an Open Signal TV series ensures that you get a regular time slot on our cable channels. All of the cable channels are also streamed online. All series applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply for a series, please visit community.opensignalpdx.org and log in to your account. You can find full instructions here.  Important information about series scheduling:
  • If you've never applied for an Open Signal series before, there are special rules for how to do it. Check out How to Get an Open Signal TV Series (A Guide for First-Time Producers) to learn more.  
  • To apply for a series, you must set up a "series project" on your community.opensignalpdx dashboard. Only producers with active accounts at Open Signal can create a project. New series producers are required to have submitted 2 pilot programs that are the same format and length as desired series before the application period ends. Contact Distribution if you need help. 
  • If you choose multiple options for air time in your series application, you may have a better chance of securing a series airing schedule that works for you.
  • Summer series will run from July 1st, 2021 to September 30th, 2021. 

Important information about studio use, field equipment and submitting shows for series producers

 

Series Studio Producers:

  • We’re pleased to be able to offer advanced studio reservations. In the series application please request under the “Studio Session” what days/times work best for you from the selections available. Request 2 different options instead of repeating the same request twice.  
  • The studio is available for series producers to reserve Tuesday - Saturday. All reservations must be completed by 8pm. We close at 8pm for safety considerations for the staff and community.
  • There will be a dedicated Community Media Technical Specialist available to help you in the studio during your reservation.  
  • We are no longer able to guarantee live broadcast scheduling, because airing time may not match the studio reservation.
  • Due to staff availability, each series producer can have up to 1 advanced reservation per month during a season. A studio waitlist for additional time will be an option if the studio and staff are available.  
  • The Community Media Distribution Manager will be contacting you to help assist in setting up your studio reservations. You will be contacted in the order of when you submitted your series request. Feel free to contact Emily at 503-288-1515 ext 321 or distribution@opensignalpdx.org to learn more.
  • You will be required to fill out a show form in your Community Dashboard and submit the files either onsite when using the studio, or remotely at least 2 days prior to the premiere date. We are working on getting it so you can upload your files through your Dashboard but until you hear otherwise you’ll need to share the files or links with playback@opensignalpdx.org.
  • You will be required to contact the front desk either by calling 503-288-1515 or emailing frontdesk@opensignalpdx.org if you’re unable to use your reservation at least 48 hours in advance. The same policies apply for no shows and late arrival as in the past. It’s even more important to let us know if you aren’t going to use the studio so we can give that time to someone else and/or free up the staff time that was dedicated to your reservation.
  • Our current COVID-19 safety requirements for the capacity of people in the studio:
    • Studio A (Usable Studio Space) - 6
    • Studio A Control Room - 3
    • Studio B (Usable Studio Space) - 2
    • Studio B Control Room - 1
  • Please read more about our safety requirements and protocols here.

Content Submitters

  • For those who are unable to submit video remotely, you may set up appointments to upload your content. Contact the front desk by calling 503-288-1515 or emailing frontdesk@opensignalpdx.org to have someone contact you to set up an appointment.
  • You will be required to contact the front desk either by calling 503-288-1515 or emailing frontdesk@opensignalpdx.org if you’re unable to use your reservation at least 48 hours in advance. The same policies apply for no shows and late arrivals as in the past. It’s even more important to let us know if you aren’t going to use the time so we can help someone else and/or free up the staff time that was dedicated to the appointment.

Series Field Equipment Users:

  • Reservations for field equipment for your series must be also arranged. Contact the front desk either by calling 503-288-1515 or emailing frontdesk@opensignalpdx.org to have someone contact you.
  • You will be required to contact the front desk either by calling 503-288-1515 or emailing frontdesk@opensignalpdx.org if you’re unable to use your reservation at least 48 hours in advance. The same policies apply for no shows and late arrivals as in the past. It’s even more important to let us know if you aren’t going to be able to keep your appointment so we can free up the staff time that was dedicated to the reservation and/or assist another producer.  
  • Your series episodes are due a minimum of two days prior to the premiere date. Shows are submitted remotely, or let us know which episode you'd like replayed. More information about remote submissions is available here: Submitting Video Remotely. If you're unable to submit your episodes on time please contact playback staff at playback@opensignalpdx.org or 503-288-1515 ext 321.
Questions? See our programming standards, sponsorship and commercial content guidelines and other frequently asked questions at opensignalpdx.org/makeashow, in the FAQ section. You can also read our detailed blog post at bit.ly/opensignalseriesguide. We are not currently able to make long-term plans for facility use. Please watch your inbox for updates. Reach out to Emily at 503-288-1515 ext 321 or distribution@opensignalpdx.org for specific questions or feedback.

For other issues, please contact distribution@opensignalpdx.org. If you're interested in the full series scheduling calendar for 2021, check it out here.


Emily Roland Media Distribution Manager eroland [at] opensignalpdx.org

I manage Open Signal's broadcast and scheduling for cable and online distribution, curating videos and engaging with public volunteer producers about their video submissions.

Talk to me if you'd like to learn how to get your video or series on the channels, want to get broadcast schedules, report technical broadcast issues or learn about our service areas. Prior to Open Signal, I graduated from Mt. Hood Community College with two Associate’s degrees in Television Production.

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