Viewer Services

How do I submit content to Iowa PBS?

To submit video content or a written proposal to Iowa PBS, please review the Iowa PBS Submission Guidelines.

I want more information about (program title), but couldn't find anything at your website.

Many programs in our web listings have a link to the program's own website (if there is one). From iowapbs.org, hover over the SCHEDULE header and select Search Schedule. On the next screen, select the first letter of the program you're searching for then type its title in the keyword search box. The next page will feature a "Visit website" link. Sometimes you can also find information by going to the PBS website at www.pbs.org. At the top of the home page, click on "Shows" to search for programs.

Where can I find recipes from the cooking shows Iowa PBS broadcasts, such as Iowa Ingredient, America’s Test Kitchens from Cook’s Illustrated, Lidia’s Italy in America and others?

Iowa Ingredient recipes can be found on the show's webpage. To find recipe information from other programs on Iowa PBS and Create.4, or to contact those programs directly, go to Shows for a direct link to the show page.

Why can't you broadcast the British comedies earlier?

Public TV stations are required to broadcast many programs that are distributed by PBS on the evening that they are given to stations (by satellite). Saturday evening and late-night hours during the week are times when PBS programs are not coming to us, so those time slots are used for programs such as Britcoms, which come from other distributors.

When is (program title) going to be on again?

At the top of Iowa PBS's home page, select on "Schedule" which will take you to the program listings page where you can search by date. We strive to provide up to three weeks of programming schedules on our website.

Why did you take off my favorite program? / Why can't you bring back (program title), which was broadcast many years ago?

Iowa PBS purchases broadcast rights for all programs we air but do not own outright. The "rights" tell us how many times we can broadcast a program within a certain period of time. This is normally four times over three or four years although it could be much shorter or longer. At the end of that time period, Iowa PBS is not able legally to broadcast the program. Occasionally, old programs will be available again so additional rights can be bought.

Many series have a limited number of programs. Most of the "how-to" series (i.e. cooking, sewing, quilting, painting, woodworking, travel, etc.) contain only 13 episodes. Sometimes new series (of 13) are made every year or two, so the program returns with new episodes.

Why don't you broadcast more high school championship events?

We broadcast the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union championship finals for basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. The Iowa High School Athletic Association owns the broadcast rights to the various high school boys’ championship events and they award the broadcast rights to other organizations. For more information on where you can find broadcasts of the boys’ championships, please call IHSAA at 515.432.2011.

Another pledge drive? Isn't there a better way to raise money?

Pledge drives are unbeatable when it comes to encouraging new members to join Friends of Iowa PBS in the least costly way. When viewers just finish watching a program that they feel is worthy of support, they are strongly motivated to make a contribution. Pledge drives make it easy for current members to renew and for other viewers to join. During our 20 days per year of televised fundraising, we’re able to generate 20 percent of our contributions from individuals. When we attract new members and additional gifts on air, there are more dollars available for the programs you enjoy.

Why are some of my favorite programs preempted during pledge periods?

We realize it can be frustrating when a program you’re fond of disappears during Festival. Very few shows produce 52 weeks a year of new material and in many cases the shows are not timed or formatted for fundraising purposes by the producers. Programs are selected to air during pledge drives not only for their ability to entertain or enlighten, but also for their potential to generate contributions. As more viewers join you as Friends of Iowa PBS members, they support the programs that we all enjoy year round. We try to minimize the disruption of your favorites by limiting pledge days to fewer than 20 per year—just 5 percent of our annual broadcast schedule—so that you have more than 340 days a year pledge-free.

Why are we hearing Spanish or descriptions during some of the programs?

The Second Audio Program channel has been turned on either on your TV set or another piece of equipment like a cable box, and you need to turn it off to hear only the audio that goes with the program. The controls are usually located in the audio menu and could be designated as SAP, MTS, audio B or audio 2. When programs have an audio track featuring DVS/DVI (descriptive video for the visually impaired), or Spanish translation, Iowa PBS carries that audio on the SAP. You should also be able to find information on managing your audio controls in your owner's manual.

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