Main Line Television
Get in Touch!
  • Home
  • About
  • Watch
  • Contact
Welcome to Main Line Television!
 
We look forward to working with you on your future projects and ask that you read our handbook and become familiar with our Policies & Procedures. It is your responsibility to read these carefully before using any Main Line Television (MLTV) equipment, facilities, or scheduling any staff time, production time or airtime. Please speak with a staff person if you have questions. These policies are subject to change without notice.

BACK TO TOP
I. Mission Statement 

Our mission at MLTV is to serve the Lower Merion and Narberth communities as a visually driven new media production and education facility.  As a public access television station, we are a valuable first amendment resource to all members of the community. Our programming showcases what matters to Lower Merion and Narberth. We are proud to provide an outlet for the creativity and enthusiasm of any resident, organization, or institution interested in learning the process of creating community media.

BACK TO TOP

II. Main Line Television Services 

MLTV allows any Lower Merion or Narberth resident to communicate with other residents over the cable system, a medium otherwise not available due to the expense of broadcast airtime. While we work closely together, and in the same town, MLTV is not a subsidiary or an affiliate of Comcast, Verizon, Ludington Library or the Lower Merion Library System. Business related to cable TV installation, service changes or reception problems should be directed to your cable provider. Because services provided by Main Line Television and your cable provider do not overlap, it is very important for specific questions to be directed appropriately. Telephone calls, inquiries, and mail for Main Line Television should be directed to:  

Main Line Television 
5 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. 
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 
610-520-7288 / www.mainlinetv.org 

MLTV administers program time on the public access channels (Comcast 99 and Verizon 34) and provides guidance on program development and technical advice on field and studio equipment.  Our facilities provide a regular forum for community members to educate and inform the community about issues and events of local, national, and global importance. MLTV also accepts program proposals to cover on-location events of importance to the Lower Merion and Narberth community.

BACK TO TOP
III. Community Event Coverage 

If you would like to have your community event filmed, residents and community groups must submit a Request for Volunteer Event Coverage a minimum of two weeks prior to the event. Upon approval of the Request for Volunteer Event Coverage, MLTV will add the event to the volunteer calendar. Coverage of these events is based on volunteer availability and commitment, thus submitting a program proposal far in advance is highly recommended. The resident or group proposing the program is encouraged to aid in volunteer recruitment as there is no guarantee an event will be covered without a volunteer crew.  MLTV does not guarantee coverage of any non-paid event.  Volunteer productions may vary in quality dependent on the experience of the producer and crew.

BACK TO TOP
IV. Membership: Benefits & Restrictions 

Any Lower Merion and Narberth resident or organization is eligible to be a Producer (aka Member) and show an approved program on the access channel under the condition a MLTV Membership Form and Producer Statement of Compliance Form is signed and placed on file with MLTV, and the appropriate fees (if required) are paid.  At the current time, Membership and Producer Status at Main Line Television is free to all residents of Lower Merion Township and Narberth Borough. If the applicant is a minor, a parent or legal guardian must sign the aforementioned document. Any member who wishes to borrow equipment to produce access programming must attend a MLTV Orientation class prior to their first use the equipment.

Members are not employees of Main Line Television. They shall not misrepresent themselves as employees of MLTV, or speak on behalf of MLTV. Neither the MLTV phone number, nor the MLTV address may be listed as a contact number for community producers or their shows.
 
BACK TO TOP
V. Equipment & Facility Reservations & Procedures 

Certified members may reserve MLTV equipment and facilities for activities specifically related to productions that will be shown on MLTV. It is understood that by working here, your project is a community program intended for cablecast on MLTV channels and accessible on-line via the Main Line Television website. MLTV equipment, facilities and/or staff time are not intended for personal projects. Please speak with a staff member regarding private reservations for personal projects not designed or intended for cablecast.  Equipment and facility reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis and subject to availability.

BACK TO TOP
VI. Equipment 

The member who reserves equipment must be the one who picks up and returns the equipment. Equipment must be returned on time. Field equipment reservations may not extend beyond three (3) days. Members are entitled to a 20-minute grace period, after which a late fee will be charged. To avoid this fee, please notify MLTV immediately if a delay is expected. Members are required to sign an inventory list before taking out equipment and upon return of equipment. We strongly suggest members set-up the equipment when they take it out to ensure it is in proper working order. We may require the member to set up all equipment upon return. Members are responsible for any equipment failures, and/or missing or damaged items. 

BACK TO TOP
VII. Putting a Program on the Channel: Responsibilities & Restrictions 

In order to produce your own program you must have completed all of the following: 
  • Be a Main Line Television Producer and have all paperwork on file 
  • Be certified on all the equipment and facilities that you wish to use 
  • Submitted a Program Proposal and all appropriate forms

Producers are responsible for creating their show opening, end credits, graphics, roll-ins, and set design. They are also encouraged to recruit their own crew and can use the MLTV volunteer newsletter. Additionally, Producers are responsible for delivering completed programs that comply with the MLTV Technical Specifications. MLTV will keep a copy of all programs and may cablecast them an unlimited number of times. MLTV may also use the program for promotional purposes related to MLTV.  Unless specified otherwise, the copyright holder makes his/her program available for duplication and distribution by MLTV. 

Under no circumstances can any programming produced at MLTV be used for commercial or for-profit purposes. All programs produced using MLTV facilities, resources or equipment must include a complete list of the crew that is legible and displayed long enough to be read. If MLTV equipment or facilities were used on your production, the following text MUST be included in the last ten (10) seconds of your credits: 
"This program was produced through facilities and equipment of 
Main Line Television ~ Community Media Center of Lower Merion and Narberth, PA."
Anyone requesting cable time for a program must sign an agreement taking full responsibility for the program’s content and obtain clearances and permissions from all organizations, individuals and groups involved in their program.  

MLTV producers may freely distribute or “bicycle” their programs to non-commercial or access television organizations. All MLTV programs must first be aired on MLTV before they can be distributed elsewhere. Producers are responsible for all costs incurred in distributing their program(s), (e.g. DVDs, dubbing, postage).  

Anyone using the channel is alone liable for any false, misleading or slanderous statements in his or her program. The member alone is responsible for the program content and compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. MLTV has the right to place a disclaimer before and after any program that MLTV feels may require one. 

The following material may not be shown on the access channel:
  • any advertising intended to promote the use of goods or services
  • any information or promotion of a lottery
  • any material which constitutes libel, slander, pornography, obscenity, or invasion of privacy or publicity rights, according to local, state, and federal laws
  • programs which fall below minimum technical standards for cablecast
  • use of trademark or copyright which may violate local, state or federal law
  • programs that do not have the required permissions on file
  • any illegal acts 

Although commercial advertising is prohibited, programs may include acknowledgment of underwriting by individuals, businesses, organizations or grantors providing monetary or other assistance. A member should never apply for any kind of support, sponsorship, or underwriting without first notifying the MLTV Managing Director and submitting a complete outline and proposal.

BACK TO TOP
VIII. Program Schedules

Non-sponsored or reserved program time slots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. MLTV will attempt to accommodate members’ timeslot requests for series produced at MLTV. If there are no requests for time slots, MLTV will fill them at its discretion. A series must make continuous use of their time slot or it will be forfeited. MLTV can pre-empt or reschedule regular time slots at any time for any reason.

BACK TO TOP
IX. Violations 

Violation of the MLTV Policies & Procedures will result in warnings, suspensions or permanent termination of Producer status. Suspensions and terminations are at the discretion of the Managing Director. 

BACK TO TOP
X. Minor Violations 

Minor violations may result in immediate forfeiture of an equipment reservation or in a warning. Multiple warnings may result in termination of rental privileges, time slot reservations or termination of Producer status. Minor violations may include, but are not limited to:
  • entering a staff-only area without permission
  • failure to cancel a reservation within 48 hours
  • failure to arrive on time for scheduled productions - whether as a producer or crew member
  • failure to submit the necessary production information in advance of a shoot
  • late equipment return without notification and approval
  • failure to return equipment in the proper condition (e.g. improperly coiled cables, improperly packed equipment, etc.)
  • mishandling equipment, including leaving it in unusually hot or cold environments
  • leaving equipment or facilities unattended without staff permission
  • failure to clean up after using the facilities or to return them to the condition in which they were found
  • changing the wiring, connections or attaching accessories without staff permission
  • misrepresentation of members’ affiliation with MLTV

BACK TO TOP
XI. Major Violations 

Major violations will result in an immediate 90-day minimum suspension. Major violations may include, but are not limited to:
  • commercial or profit-making use of MLTV facilities without written consent
  • use of equipment/facilities without staff permission
  • blatant abuse of equipment, including attempted repair
  • falsifying forms
  • committing unlawful or violent acts within the facility or Library space, including theft
  • abuse or harassment of MLTV or Ludington Library staff, other members, or any building personnel
  • smoking in the building
  • possession and/or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs 

BACK TO TOP
XII. Appeals 

Anyone wishing to appeal disciplinary action may make that request with the Managing Director.  

BACK TO TOP
XIII. Indemnification 

Users of the access channel shall indemnify Main Line Television, Comcast, Verizon, Lower Merion Township and the Borough of Narberth and its employees against any and all liabilities arising out of breach of these Rules & Procedures. Each MLTV member understands that he or she is responsible and agrees to hold harmless Main Line Television, its directors and employees (and their successors) from any liability, loss, claim, cost or damage of any nature whatsoever which may arise by reason of any claim that any material cablecast or disseminated by that member infringes on or violates any rights of any person or organization.

BACK TO TOP



    Main Line Television © 2014