'Olelo
Community Television
Program Scheduling Overview
Prepared August 5, 2004
Definitions
Block Scheduling (or
Programming). The practice of grouping programs with related content
together to create a “block.” For example, by grouping all sports
programming together, a “sports block” is created. Promotion of blocks
helps attract viewers to programs of interest, thereby increasing
exposure for programs and producers. (see program block info online
at http://hpam.hi.net/olelo/blockprogramming/
please note that Saturday through Monday noon on channel 52 the content
is available to only (controlled) "religion", and note that channel 53
is only available to content based on race for the entire week except
for sunday midnight to noon which can be "religious". Blocks were
discontinued before because of its inability to facilitate all on an
equitable basis. They have just recently, within the past 2 years,
decided to revive this content discriminatory policy.)
Filler Air Dates. Air dates
given to a program in addition to program's scheduled Premiere and
Repeat Air Dates. Filler Air Dates are not guaranteed and are assigned
on a space available basis to help “fill out” each channel's
programming. (as was hopefully
made clear at the CAC meeting, shows longer than 58 minutes and 30
seconds are not given equal treatment regarding Prime Time and repeat.
This is not the case for Government programs like City Council,
Legislative hearings and Neighborhood boards. Why do programs with
government content get scheduled with no problem, and even preempt
client programs? Filler dates are given at the whim of the Programming
Director, who )is not
obligated to supply the air dates to the producer/presenter)
Presenter. An individual who
submits a program that was not made using ‘Olelo’s
facilities/equipment. The presenter claims responsibility for technical
and content compliance. Often, presenters submit programs created
off-island or out-of-state. (some
"off-island or out-of-state" programs get more air dates than those
created on Oahu using 'Olelo facilities & equipment. That is not
"equitable")
Premiere Air Date. The first
time a new program is shown on the channels.
Producer. An individual who
created the program and claims responsibility for technical and content
compliance. (Please do not
confuse with "Certified Producer", who has taken certification
training.)
Repeat Air Date. Air dates
scheduled for a program subsequent to the initial Premiere Air Date.
(not to be confused with
randomly scheduled "filler" air dates)
General Parameters
o Content is the sole responsibility of the producer
or the presenter. ‘Olelo does not prescreen, edit or censor
program content
('Olelo's ability to air some
content more than others could be construed as editorializing and/or
censorship. They do prescreen as witnessed by their refusal to air
selected shows without an end slate while others air for years without
them.).
o ‘Olelo provides early and on-going training and
guidance to producers and presenters on content and technical
guidelines. Producers and presenters are advised (in-person and in
writing) that programs with commercial and/or illegal content are
prohibited.
(note they do not state "content
and technical
guidelines" are provided in writing, thus my request for information
regarding their handing out Operating Procedures to "presenters". On
their website it says: "Copies of the entire Operating
Procedures are available at the access facilities. Please sign the
acknowledgment form when you pick up a copy for your files." I'd bet that not all presenters are
given copies before submitting programs, nor required to sign the "acknowledgment
form". There is a line in the
playback request forms that says "6.
I have read and am thoroughly familiar with the rules and procedures
for the use of 'Olelo's transmission services and agree to abide by
them.", but it is most
likely that many have not read them, they only sign because they know
if they don't, 'Olelo will not air their show. )
o Every program longer than 1-minute is required to
have an “end slate” that includes the name and contact information of
the program producer or presenter.
('Olelo does not follow this
guideline for many of their presented & produced shows. They
sometimes say it is for shows 15 minutes or longer.).
o Programs are kept in playback rotation for a period
of six months, unless a producer or presenter specifies an earlier pull
date. If the producer or presenter chooses to, they may re-submit their
program after its initial first six months of rotation for additional
air times.
(note: "they MAY resubmit", not
"shall". According to 'Olelo's Operating
Procedures, programs are required to be available to 'Olelo for playback "for a
3‑year
period, on a non‑exclusive basis, except when negotiated
otherwise. ‘Ōlelo will consider
written
requests for withdrawal of the program and, assuming approval, (on
a case by case basis at 'Olelo's sole discretion) the
program will
not be used for future transmission and distribution." They keep programs of their choice
for the 3 years and more, but return their less favored ones to clients
in as little as one week after their 4 premiere/repeat air dates, or
keep them on the shelf unaired, thus in reality taking them out of
scheduling rotation.)
'Olelo Program Scheduling
Overview
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o Because there are so many variables to scheduling a
program, 'Olelo’s policies focus on the minimum that each program is
aired as a means of defining equity (not
the maximum). (this is not equitable by any stretch of the
imagination, rather an attempt at rationalizing discriminatory
behavior.)
o The length of a program may affect when and
how
soon a program is scheduled and how many filler time slots are
assigned. Half-hour and one-hour programs are much easier to schedule
than programs longer than an hour. (CAC member Sam Aiona suggested there
be time slots pre assigned for programs longer than 1 hour [aka 58
mins. 30 secs.], why they haven't, except for Government programming,
is quite revealing. Should some TV shows get more air time than others
just because it is "easier"
for 'Olelo? Should a 1 hour out-of-state show air more than an in-state
one hour show because it is easier to schedule? Is that a rule that
"ensures equitable access"? Discrimination is easier than equity so
that makes it ok?)
o Producers and programmers indicate on their
Playback Request Form the general program subject (arts, sports,
entertainment, health, etc.). In the event that a producer or presenter
has misidentified
the program content (how will they know
unless they screen it?) as a means of securing
desirable air dates,
staff may contact the client to discuss re-identifying the program
subject. (It is well
known that some blocks have less programming submitted, so those in the
know will check that category. Note it says "staff MAY contact
the client to discuss
re-identifying
the program
subject", not "shall" or "will". Pigeonholing
programs by content types and providing more "general program subject"
types for Hawaiian content than other subjects is discriminatory. You
must fill in a choice otherwise they will not accept your show.)
o Producers and presenters indicate whether or not
their program contains time-sensitive content, whereby after a
specified date the content is less important or is no longer relevant.
This end date guides ‘Olelo staff in its scheduling decisions. (It is only a guide, meaning they are
free to do whatever they want. What is omitted is that a "time
sensitive" show is usually designated as such to get the show on as
soon as possible, not so much to identify when to remove it from the
scheduling rotation.)
o Producers are advised to submit programs four weeks in advance to ensure
inclusion on the published TV listings. Producers may submit programs
sooner, if they choose to or need to because the content is
time-sensitive, and are advised that their program will not be included
in the published guides. (their
Operating Procedures state:
"F. Scheduling Series Programs
Regularly
scheduled series time slots will be allocated
at the discretion of ‘Ōlelo
staff, providing that ample time remains available
within the predetermined blocks of scheduled programming.
A series must be scheduled in sufficient
time, usually
a minimum of at least three weeks
to allow for advanced program
listing and for notification of play dates.
To schedule a series, the Presenter must submit a completed
Playback
Request Form."
o Programs fall into three different categories:
Series Programs, Non-Series Programs (aka "specials") and Short
Takes. (and PSAs)
o Series Programs must adhere to specific program
lengths of 28
minutes and 30 seconds and 58 minutes and 30 seconds. Non-Series
Programs may be of any length beyond 15 minutes. Short Takes are 15
minutes in length and shorter. (except
Government programming)
o Series
- To qualify for a Series
timeslot, producers must submit to ‘Olelo a minimum of three completed
programs to demonstrate their ability to consistently produce programs (this is a half truth. Some have
been given a series without having to provide three shows in advance,
again at 'Olelo's sole discretion.)
- A Series receives the
same
weekly time slot for a year. (For example, Tuesday nights at 9:00 PM.)
('Olelo's productions keep the
same time slot for years.
If someone does not continue their series, 'Olelo will choose another
series to fill the slot.)
- A weekly Series program
receives
a premiere timeslot (for each segment), and up to two filler time slots
per week. (except for 'Olelo's
productions. "Counterpoint" has received more than two filler time
slots
per week)
o Non-Series
- Non-Series programs receive a premiere air date and
three scheduled repeat air dates.
(they can give more than that and they do on a "case by case basis"
[aka discriminatory basis])
- A Non-Series may receive additional filler time
slots (which are not scheduled) as channel space allows. (at 'Olelo's sole discretion, with no
oversight)
‘Olelo Program Scheduling Overview
Page 2 of 3
o Short Takes
- Short Takes include short-format programs, public
service announcements and promotional spots (15 minutes in length or
less).
- Short Takes are scheduled once and then used as
filler as channel space allows.
(all at 'Olelo's sole discretion)
Questions About Content
o Positive Feedback
- Olelo
offers to
provide the viewer/caller with the producer’s or presenter’s contact
information. (aka "Public Disclosure Information")
- Olelo staff advises the viewer/caller of future air
dates, if applicable. (if you
ask how many times the show has aired they tell you "it is none of your business")
o Negative Feedback
- When viewers disagree with the content, ‘Olelo staff offers
to provide the viewer/caller with the producer’s or presenter’s contact
information to communicate directly.
- Staff explains to the viewer ‘Olelo’s role
facilitating the production and airing of a program, and that
individual producer and presenter is responsible for program content. ( As you have seen in writing, 'Olelo
will not provide me with the contact information for American Forces
News
(AFN) report (aka (Pentagon channel), nor have I seen them put a
required end slate on the show for
years. Same goes for Hawai'i DOT's ")
o Technical Issues
- If a call is received regarding technical quality
of a program, staff investigates the source of the problem. When the
problem stems from ‘Olelo or Oceanic transmission, attempts are made to
correct the problem. When the problem stems from the program tape,
staff works with the producer to fix the problem. (the same problems have existed for
years. 'Olelo usually blames Oceanic and Oceanic blames 'Olelo)
o Prohibited Content
- Complaints about prohibited content, including
slander and libel, copyright, or illegal content are investigated by
staff to determine the validity of the complaint. If the complaint is
valid, staff works with the producer and presenter to correct the
program and/or to remove the program from future airing. In complex
situations, the legal determination on program content is left to a
court of law. (they have pulled
shows in the past before contacting the producer/presenter)
- Complaints about commercialism, which are most
often reported by ‘Olelo clients, are investigated by staff and content
violations are handled between staff and the program producer or
presenter. If the complaint is valid, staff works with the producer and
presenter to correct the program and/or to remove it from future airing. (this is not done openly, so some
producers get suspended while others continue the practice while 'Olelo
continues to only slap them on the wrist.)
- Consequences for content violations vary, and may
include suspension from using ‘Olelo’s facilities. (there's that word "may" again, which
means "on a case by case basis", which also means not on a "first-come,
nondiscriminatory basis" as required by state law.)
Olelo Program Scheduling Overview
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