KQED and KTEH provide the people of Northern California with consistently high-quality, noncommercial media that informs, educates, and entertains. Our programming and services reflect the value that we place on human dignity, lifelong learning, the power of ideas, and the importance of the communities that we serve.
Northern California Public Broadcasting (NCPB) is the most-watched public television and most-listened-to public radio broadcaster in the country. NCPB owns and operates public television stations KQED 9 (San Francisco), KTEH 54 (San Jose), and KQET 25 (Watsonville/Monterey); public radio stations KQED 88.5FM (San Francisco) and KQEI 89.3FM (Sacramento); KQED's Education Network (EdNet); and the Interactive platforms KQED.org and KTEH.org. Audiences and users can also access NCPB content through: digital television channels KQED HD, KQED Life, KQED World, KTEH V-Me, KQED Kids, and PBS Kids Sprout; and stream or download available content.
PBS is the Public Broadcasting Service, a private, nonprofit program distribution company funded by CPB to provide programming to public television stations. Through the National Program Service, PBS funds the creation and acquisition of programs for its 348 member stations, and distributes those programs through American television's first broadcast satellite system. PBS has a history of showing independent film through series such as FRONTLINE, Independent Lens, American Experience, Great Performances, and P.O.V. PBS also acquires programming directly from independent producers. Learn more about PBS and independent producers.
CPB is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and is funded by taxpayers. CPB was created by the Public Television Act "to provide a voice for groups in the community that may otherwise be unheard," to serve as "a forum for controversy and debate," and to broadcast programs that "help us see America whole, in all its diversity." CPB provides funding for the development and creation of programs for public television, to be distributed through PBS. In addition, CPB funds both public television stations and independent producers directly. Learn more about CPB.
APT, American Public Television, acquires finished programs and develops/produces original programming concepts. While American Public Television seeks the broadest possible carriage for its programs, it recognizes that many programs appeal to important, but less-than-national audience groupings, and undertakes the distribution of programming that is tailored to specific interests or demographics. As an independent programming service, APT may partner with producers and distributors in broadcast, cable, multimedia, and international markets. American Public Television is a not-for-profit organization. Learn more about APT.
No. KQED is not a source of funding, nor are we able to act as a fiscal agent for outside projects. Please contact Bay Area Video Coalition to apply for their fiscal agent initiative or to access lists of grants and foundations who are open to funding programming.
Primarily PBS acquires programming for satellite distribution to member stations. PBS occasionally funds production directly, but does not hold open calls.
Productions are works that are in any phase of production from development through post-production. As referenced in the Independent Producers' Guide, KQED considers collaborating with programs in all stages of production.
Presentations are completed works that KQED presents to the national public television system. When KQED presents a program, the goal is to garner the maximum carriage possible. KQED charges a fee for this service.
Unfortunately, due to limited staff and a number of station projects in fundraising, KQED is unable to help independent producers solely with securing funds for their project.
Anyone is welcome to submit a proposal to KQED. However, we do look at the producer's background and take into consideration if the person or people have the skill sets needed to pull off their proposed production. If you have limited production experience, you may want to consider taking production classes. Bay Area Video Coalition has numerous classes on all aspects of film and television production.
We strongly suggest that you consider submitting your proposal to stations that have more relevance to your project. We also encourage producers to find a station that has experience producing the kind of content you wish to propose. Please visit PBS to find a list of stations around the country.
