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F.A.Q.

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1. What are interstitial programs?

Each interstitial program is two to five minutes in length and is produced in high-end broadcast quality. The interstitial programming is produced in an editorial style that documents the issues that impact professionals and consumers alike.  Since Public Television is non-commercial they utilize short-form educational segments to bridge the gap from the end of one program to the beginning of another. 

 
2. Are these interstitial programs created by VM Television affiliated with any network?

No. VM Television is an independent production house not affiliated with any particular network.

3. Does VM Television have any affiliation with programs produced by PBS, or other independent organizations?

As Wikipedia states, "PBS is not responsible for all programming carried on public TV stations; in fact, stations usually receive a large portion of their content (including most pledge drive specials) from third-party sources, such as American Public Television, NETA, and independent producers. This distinction is a frequent source of viewer confusion." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBS)

Many people make the mistake of assuming that PBS and Public Television are one and the same because they view PBS programs on Public Television stations.  There are several major program providers that distribute content to Public Television.  The major distributors are APT (American Public Television), NETA (National Education Telecommunications association) and PBS (Public Broadcasting System).  In addition to these major program providers, there is a plethora of small to medium size production companies, such as ours, that provide programming to the local and regional individual Public Television Affiliates.

VM Television is not associated with PBS.

VM Television wishes to clarify that it is not associated with, distribute programming for, review underwriting for or otherwise have any business relationship with PBS. 

4. If VM Television does not distribute programming for or have any business relationship with PBS, NETA or APT, how is the VM Television Segments with Mr. Hugh Downs distributed to individual Public Television stations?

VM Television deals directly with individual Public TV stations, and is a pre-approved content provider through American Artists, a distributor of educational programs for Public TV, which includes the VM Television Segments.  Each individual station makes independent decisions for programs they air.  VM Television currently have over 150 individual stations requesting interstitial programming covering all 50 states.

5. What is Public TV?

Public TV has traditionally been the dominant form of broadcasting in much of the world.  It is a system in which radio, television, and potentially other electronic media outlets receive some or all of their funding from the public. Public TV is made up of 355 television stations across the country that deliver family-safe TV.  Individual Public Television stations transmit programming that aims to improve society by informing viewers with educational information.

6. Is PBS, NETA, and APT the same as saying "Public TV"?

PBS, NETA, and APT are volunteer organizations with members from individual public TV stations. PBS (The Public Broadcasting Service), NETA (National Education Telecommunications Association), APT (American Public Television, and individual Public TV stations are not one and the same. PBS, NETA, APT are voluntary agencies that offer membership to individual stations as a whole. PBS, for example, is a nonprofit membership corporation whose members are licensees of noncommercial educational (or "public") television stations and is governed by a board comprised largely of representatives of its' member stations. PBS operates in the public interest by serving the needs of its member stations. Therefore, each station is ultimately responsible for assuring an appropriate balance of subjects and viewpoints across its broadcast schedule and for complying with all applicable federal statutes and regulations.

7. Are PBS, NETA or APT production houses?

No.  Since PBS, NETA and APT are not production houses, or television networks, they do not assist in producing any programs. Instead, they identify innovative programs and creative distribution techniques for producers who create programs in association with their individual organizations for their member stations.

For example:

In 1999 APT launched "APT Worldwide", their international sales division. APT Worldwide licenses programming and has successfully sold programming to major television outlets in Great Britain, RAISAT in Italy and Alliance/Atlantis in Canada and the US.

With PBS, The National Programming Service (NPS) is the major package of programs that PBS distributes to its member stations. Programs distributed on the NPS are produced by independent producers and sources around the world. PBS does not produce programs.

NETA provides public broadcasting with valued business leadership and professional development, to foster the exchange of information and knowledge.

8. Are PBS, NETA and APT national networks?

No, PBS, NETA and APT are not networks.  They provide programming and related services to noncommercial stations.  They oversee program acquisition and provide program distribution and promotion; education services; new media ventures; fundraising support; engineering and technology development; and video marketing.

9. Is VM Television associated with any other programs or production houses?

No, VM Television is not associated with any other production houses, or programs that may be endorsed, underwritten or sponsored for Public TV in any way.