DISTRIBUTION SERVICES

WHUT can present your finished film to PBS audiences across the country over the air and on streaming channels.

Work with us as a Presenting Station

Public television distribution is a complex system with multiple distributors providing content to PBS stations across the country, each with their own unique requirements. WHUT offers a fee-based service to help producers navigate the national public media marketplace, assess and facilitate content delivery, and secure distribution for their projects.

Submission Form

WHUT's recent content presented for national distribution

For a detailed breakdown of services and pricing

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Guidelines for completed programs

Independent filmmakers seeking distribution for their completed films are encouraged to contact WHUT by completing the submission form below:

Specifications

A Presenting Station reviews programs for adherence to PBS and Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) content and technical guidelines, ensuring that all necessary deliverables arrive on time and at the quality needed for the program’s premiere. Programs must adhere to strict specifications for broadcast, the first is timing. WHUT will help the producer get to the required length if requested.

  • A thirty minute program must be 26:46 in finished length

  • A sixty minute program must be 56:46

  • A ninety minute program must be 86:46

  • A two hour program must be 1:26:46

Commitment to review

As a PBS member station, WHUT supports the mission and values of public television. We abide by PBS principles and guidelines, especially its Editorial Standards and Practices, Funding Standards and Practices, and Production Guidelines. We also abide by FCC rules and regulations pertaining to non-commercial educational television stations. WHUT will review and consider each proposal submitted to us for consideration for potential local distribution by WHUT, distribution statewide via the Washington DC, regional distribution to other PBS member stations in the DMV, and nationally to PBS, APT, and NETA with WHUT serving as a Presenting Station.

Scheduling

WHUT’s local and state distribution schedule is determined 3-4 months in advance, so please keep this in mind when submitting programs that are timely in nature. Regional and national distribution schedules may vary, with PBS, APT, and NETA often making determinations 4-6 months in advance of broadcast.

Submission Form

Other accepted submissions

WHUT is committed to creating and distributing diverse views and content that follows a strict set of standards and practices when evaluating any content included in our programming. As a PBS member station, we align our standards and practices with those of PBS and use those standards to inspire and inform our own.

Idea for documentary or show

If you have an idea for a documentary or series that showcases Washington DC’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, or civic and social engagement, please select: Idea for Documentary, children’s programming, non-fiction series or other programming ideas. WHUT’s local and state distribution schedule is determined 3-4 months in advance, so please keep this in mind when submitting programs that are timely in nature

Other pitches

There are some pitches — such as breaking news, community hearings, or requests to cover a local event — better suited for other sources. For these types of ideas, we encourage you to reach out to your local news organizations, public access channels, newspapers, or public radio.

Submission Form

Editorial standards and submission process

  • WHUT pursues its mission of “Enriching lives and strengthening our community through the power of media” by using television, interactive media, and community engagement to advance education, culture and citizenship. We seek to connect, engage, inform, and reflect our audiences through trusted programming that is accessible to all.

    To that end, WHUT produces, acquires, and distributes high-quality national, regional, and local programming and educational content designed to inform, enlighten, educate, entertain, and engage.

    WHUT adheres to the PBS Editorial Standards and Policies in the creation, production, and distribution of content to our community.

  • Collaboration is rare, but we have and do partner with other nonprofits and community organizations to create and distribute content appropriate for WHUT.

  • After you have submitted your proposal, you will receive an email acknowledging that we have received it and that it has been sent to the appropriate department for review. We will only contact you further if we have an interest in pursuing your proposal.

  • Submissions are judged on many criteria, including (but not confined to) the quality of the proposal or completed work, compliance with WHUT standards and practices, the credentials of the production team, and content priorities.

  • We regret that we cannot offer detailed feedback on every submission received.

  • We are unable to return proposal submissions, and WHUT is not responsible for lost materials. Please retain copies of all submitted items.

  • WHUT seeks input on and is held accountable to its integrity standards and practices from a variety of advisors, boards, and others. We welcome community feedback via our contact form.

The Editorial Standards and Submissions Process FAQ provides answers to questions about how we make decisions and what to do if you want WHUT to consider your idea for a story, a collaboration, or distribution of your project.

Submission Form