Getting your message on a Major Market TV station.         
    
    
    Here  are  some  edited  excerpts  from a booklet called, A Guide to Getting 
    Your  Message  on  Channel 5  published by  WCVB-TV in Boston (a Division of 
    the  Hearst  Corporation.    The  ideas should give you some general insight 
    into  Major  Market  TV station thinking.  Contact the stations in your area 
    for advise on getting your message on their station.
    
    
    Watch  newscasts  and  programs  before  sending  material.  It may help you 
    determine the appropriate placement opportunities for your story.  
    
    If  you  have  a  story  or  event  which  you want us to cover, send a news 
    release  or  information  sheet  to the Assignment editor.  Send material at 
    least  2  weeks  in  advance of the story, but no more than a month ahead of 
    time.   Include basic information and contact person's name and phone number 
    (including  area code).  A few interesting facts and general information are 
    helpful.  However,  be  brief!    Place  a  follow-up call to the Assignment 
    Editor  on  the  day  of  the event or the afternoon before. Give additional 
    details  at  that  time.   If  your  event  is planned on short notice, call 
    and/or hand-deliver your material as soon as possible.
    
    Make  sure  your item has a news peg.  For example, an organization's annual 
    dinner  would  not  normally  be  newsworthy.  However an inside look at the 
    lives  the organization touches, or an important speech at the dinner, might 
    be  good stories. 
    
    Time  your  events  with  the  news  schedule  in  mind.  The best times for 
    coverage  are  between  9AM and 4PM.  Live coverage during the Noon, 6PM and 
    11PM  newscasts  is  a  possibility,  but  your  chances  are much better at 
    another  time,  with  a  tape crew (rather than a "live" crew).  Events held 
    after 6PM are less likely to be covered because of crew availability.
    
    Be  persistent!   A  newsroom  is  a  busy  place.   If  you  can't  reach a 
    particular individual, keep trying.  Sometimes messages are misplaced.
    
    In  addition  to  Newscasts,  there  are  many  hours  of  locally  produced 
    programming  on  Channel  5.  Many regular local shows have their own set of 
    guidelines to help you get your message on the air.  
    
    Publicizing  Events:   Channel  5 publicizes events and activities occurring 
    around  New  England.   Approximately  two announcements air each day in the 
    morning  and  midday newscasts.  Selections are made on a first-come, first-
    served   basis   with   broadness  of  appeal  a  key  consideration.   Send 
    announcements  to  the station's Community Calendar.  Include the who, what, 
    why,  when, and where of the event.  Include a contact name and phone number 
    with  area  code.   Channel  5 will send you a post card to alert you to the 
    air date of your announcement.
    
    Getting your message on Major Market TV
    page 2
    
    
    
    Public  Service  Announcements:   WCVB-TV airs, free-of-charge, thousands of 
    brief  announcements  for  non-profit  organizations.  All groups requesting 
    this  service must be registered with the Attorney General's office (501 C 3 
    status).   Send  video  tapes  plus narrative and airing instructions to the 
    Community  Services  Department.   One-inch, Two-inch and three-quarter-inch 
    tapes  are acceptable; half-inch home video tapes cannot be used by WCVB-TV. 
    Dated  tapes  should  be  sent at least two months in advance of the desired 
    air  date.   Undated  tapes will be scheduled at our discretion.   PSA's are 
    televised  at  various  times  during  the  day  and night and remain in the 
    schedule  generally for a six month period unless you request otherwise.  If 
    you  want  your  tape  returned,  please  label  it as such with your return 
    address.
    
    PSA  Production:   On  a  limited  basis,  WCVB-TV  produces free-of-charge, 
    announcements  for local non-profit organizations.  Proposals should include 
    a  brief  summary  of  your  idea  and  some  suggestions for visuals.  Send 
    proposals  two  months  prior  to  desired taping date to the Public Service 
    Coordinator.   You  will  be  contacted  in  one or two weeks regarding your 
    request.
    
    
    
    
    K1HLZ, ARRL EMA PIC reference 5/87