EBTV Sponsorship of Programming Policy

EBTV SPONSORSHIP OF PROGRAMMING POLICY

1. Policy

a. The Library accepts sponsors to offset the costs of services provided to the community by EBTV. A sponsor may contribute by:

Donating money, goods or services as a general contribution;
Donating money toward a specific EBTV show; or
Underwriting the Community Bulletin Board (CBB).

b. EBTV recognizes sponsors’ general contributions and contributions to specific shows with general support announcements (GSAs).

c. For the purposes of this policy, a “show” is a single production that is cablecast in one continuous showing; a “program” is an ongoing series or production.

d. EBTV recognizes sponsorship of the CBB in accordance with the terms set forth in an EBTV Community Bulletin Board Sponsorship Agreement.

e. All non-governmental programs produced by EBTV are eligible for sponsorship. Any new non-government programs must be fully sponsored in order to be approved for production.

2. Sponsorship Guidelines

a. A sponsor may be any group, individual, or business interested in supporting EBTV programming.

b. Acceptance of a sponsor does not imply library endorsement of the sponsor, its products or business.

3. Sponsorship and Program Content

a. Recognition of EBTV sponsorship is not considered paid commercial advertising.

b. The content of EBTV programming is non-commercial in nature. Sponsorship does not imply the ability of the sponsor to censor or influence program content.

c. EBTV may accept sponsorship for a particular show from more than one sponsor. All sponsors will be informed in advance of the possibility that there may be other businesses, possibly of their type, sponsoring the same show.

d. It is possible that a business or products featured in the content of a program may be competitive with the goods or services of the sponsor.

e. News Reports: Fair and accurate reporting of news events is a priority at EBTV. If a sponsor is in any way associated with a news event or story, it is EBTV's obligation to the public to report the story equitably and objectively.

4. Solicitation of Sponsors

a. Employees of The Library and volunteers may actively solicit sponsors for EBTV. When doing so, they must follow the procedures specified in this policy.

b. Goods and Services: Any goods donated to EBTV are the sole property of The Library. Individuals may not accept gifts, goods, or services from a sponsor in exchange for credit unless an agreement has been signed between and approved by The Library and the sponsor.

5. General Support Announcements

a. A general support announcement [GSA] is a video/audio mention of the sponsor: an EBTV spokesperson identifies and credits the sponsor on camera during a show. In exchange for sponsorship, EBTV will produce and run a GSA for each sponsor. GSAs remind the viewers that the sponsor is supporting quality programming on EBTV.

b. Content and Length

GSAs will identify the sponsor by name, highlight general services or products, or focus on institutional image enhancement. GSAs are not commercials and cannot be used to persuade or influence viewers, advocate for public issues or candidates, or call to action.
The script for the GSA may be written either by the sponsor or EBTV staff. EBTV retains final control over the content of GSAs. Depiction of tobacco or tobacco products, alcohol or alcohol products, and firearms is prohibited in GSAs.
The show on which the GSA appears, the number of times the GSA will appear, and the date and approximate time of each GSA will be specified in an EBTV show sponsorship agreement. In the event of litigation arising from the use of a GSA, the agreement shall provide that The Library shall have the right to terminate the agreement.
If for reasons beyond The Library's control the program or GSA is not shown, EBTV will notify the sponsor of a new date when the GSA will appear.

6. Sponsorship Rates

a. Rates are fixed by the Library Board of Trustees, and are detailed in the EBTV Sponsorship Rates.

b. If an EBTV sponsor does not designate a contribution to a specific show, EBTV will assign the GSA to a show with the sponsor’s approval.

c. Contributions of equipment will be recognized based on the dollar value of the donation and the current sponsorship rate schedule.

d. Sponsorship rates are subject to change without notice except where obligated in an agreement.

e. Show Sponsorship: Any single show, regardless of length: $50.

f. Community Bulletin Board

One sixth of the Bulletin Board pages for four weeks: $250. The six co-sponsors in any four week period may be competitors. Sponsors interested in continuing to sponsor the Bulletin Board are placed on a waiting list and may sponsor the Bulletin Board again, in turn. Sponsors may sign an agreement for up to 52 weeks of sponsorship at a time.

Adopted 11/7/95
Revised 4/21/98: 1st &, CBB section
Revised 2/23/99: rates increased
Revised 1/26/00; rates decreased, year-long sponsorship requirement eliminated
Revised 6/26/01; sponsorship rates: 2nd paragraph: change “will” to “may”
Revised 9/10/01; CBB sponsorship rates lowered
Revised 7/29/03
Revised 4/13/04; Show sponsorship rate lowered; CBB sponsorship rates changed
Revised 8/17/04; CBB sponsorship rates lowered
Revised 7/26/05; 3 sponsors per 4 week period
Revised 10/10/06; one sixth of the BB pages, six sponsors per 4 week period, up to 52 weeks at a time
Revised 9/18/07; one sixth of the BB pages for four weeks, $250