TELEVISION PROGRAM MATERIALS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the television program materials available from AFRTS-BC and the Navy Motion-Picture Service (NMPS).

AFRTS-BC provides television news, information and entertainment programming for the exclusive use of AFRTS outlets, including all NBS detachments. It is the only source authorized to negotiate for, procure and distribute commercial and public broadcast programming.

AFRTS-BC acquires its programming at a minimal rate because of a special agreement with distributors, performers' unions, guilds, music licensing organizations and industry regulatory agencies. Therefore, special handling procedures and use restrictions are required to ensure security of the videocassettes and prevent copyright violations. These regulations and restrictions protect the rights of the commercial broadcasting industry as guaranteed by the U.S. Civil Code.

This section is intended to acquaint you with the different program materials offered by AFRTS-BC. For more detailed information, consult Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) Program Materials, DoD Directive 5120.20-R, Appendix F.

TYPES OF AFRTS TELEVISION SHIPMENTS

AFRTS currently circulates programs to outlets on videocassettes. Program packages are broken down into the following categories: l Television weekly (TW) l Television weekly "B" (TWB) l Television weekly "C" (TWC) l Television priority "A" (TPA) . Television priority "B" (TPB) l Television library (TL) . Television temporary library (TTL) l Television material (TM)

Television Weekly (TW)

The Television Weekly (TW) is the largest package of television programs (approximately 80 hours) supplied weekly to full-service television outlets. This package features U.S. broadcast and cable network programs, preteen and preschool programs, talk shows, soap operas, quiz shows, movies, mini-series, information, religious and filler programming. Normally, one package is in use while two others are either at the outlet waiting to be used or en route. The TW package is circuited, meaning it is passed from one station to another along a predetermined "circuit" of several stations.

Television Weekly "B" (TWB)

The Television Weekly "B" (TWB) is essentially the same as the TW package but does not contain the preteen and preschool programming. It is circuited to Super-SITE and SITE ships and contains approximately 72 hours of programming.

Television Weekly "C" (TWC)

The Television Weekly "C" (TWC) is a scaled-down version of the TWB (roughly 42 hours of programming) and is circuited to smaller ships and submarines.

Television Priority "A" (TPA)

The Television Priority "A" (TPA) contains about 12 hours of timely programming. It is not circuited but is sent directly to authorized outlets (primarily Navy ships) for use at the earliest possible date. If your detachment has access to SATNET (the worldwide AFRTS 24-hour satellite network), you will not receive the TPA package.

Television Priority "B" (TPB)

The Television Priority "B" (TPB), while not currently in use, is reserved for possible future application.

Television Library (TL)

The Television Library (TL) contains accountable library videocassettes shipped periodically to full-service, land-based outlets and fleet circuit managers for permanent retention. It is used to supplement normal programming or to fill emergency requirements.

Television Temporary Library (TTL)

The Television Temporary Library (TTL) consists of accountable library videocassettes provided to meet special short-term requirements, such as holidays and anniversaries, or when AFRTS-BC requires that the materials be returned within one year. Return dates and instructions appearing on TTL packing lists must be strictly followed.

Television Material (TM)

The Television Material (TM) contains nonaccountable library materials provided for single or repeated use and subsequent local disposal. Other usage conditions may exist and will be explained on the packing list.

CUING AFRTS VIDEOCASSETTES

Most AFRTS videocassettes that are longer than 15 minutes contain AFRTS system cues at the end of the programs. The system cue is contained on a five-second segment that identifies AFRTS as the program source. It also alerts the control board operator that he must make a transition in five seconds.

Videocassettes 15 minutes in length or less do not contain system cues but are cue-dotted by AFRTS-BC. Cue-dotting is accomplished by inserting the proper series of cues electronically during videocassette editing. The "dots" are actually small white squares that appear in the upper right-hand corner of the television screen. Multiple videocassette programs are cue-dotted at 10, seven and two seconds from the end of each tape, except the last tape of the program. This tape will contain an AFRTS system cue instead of the cue dots.