The MN Channel is a new strategic intiative of Twins Cities Public Television. Its purpose is to share the power of television with Minnesota's finest nonprofit and mission-centered organizations - to magnify their impact by helping them reach a broader audience.

For MN Channel projects, tpt and its non-profit partners share editiorial control and modest production costs. Broadcast and promotion costs are contributed by tpt. The result is a powerful outreach tool - TV broadcasts which can be coupled with other forms of distribution, such as DVDs and web streaming.

MN Channel coproductions are broadcast multiple times on tpt's MN Channel, which can be found at:

Comcast Cable: channel 243
Time Warner Cable: channel 234 or 1021
Over-the-Air Digital Receivers: channel 17-2

MN Channel coproductions are also found on tpt's Channel 17 on Saturday and Sunday nights. Typical MN Channel programs are seen by 3,000 - 5,000 households over several broadcasts, with our most popular programs amassing audiences as high as 70,000 households.

Yes, this is possible. Depending on the type of project and space, from time to time, we include partner coproductions in our Video archive, which can be streamed from our website. A partner may also choose to add their shows to their own website.

In most cases, tpt's partners own the copyright to their MN Channel coproduction. The program can be freely distributed by the partner - on video tape, DVD, via the web, through public exhibition and even through distribution to other public television stations. Through these different avenues, our partners have found the MN Channel to be an innovative and cost-effective way to expand the visability and awareness of their work in the community. In fact, 60% of MN Channel partners have returned for multiple projects.

Programs can take many forms, including: speeches and lectures, town hall meetings, debates, concerts and performances, interviews, and documentaries. Likewise, the subject matter of MN Channel programs is wide ranging.

We are governed by a set of editorial guidelines which prohibit projects that are primarily focused on self-promotion or lobbying, or that include an unbalanced presentation of controversial issues. For example, we would not pursue a partnership with a hospital to discuss the attributes of that hospital (self-promotion.) We would pursue a partnership with that hospital if the topic were "new developments in pediatrics" and featured the participation of multiple health care facilities.

The MN Channel operates under a set of editorial guidelines designed to ensure that coproductions are of the highest integrity and serve the public interest.

We insist that programs not be primarily self-promotional. Rather, programs need to serve the public through broadcast of content that supports the missions of both tpt and its partner. So, for example, the MN Channel would not pursue a partnership with a hospital to discuss the attributes of that hospital. We WOULD pursue a partnership with that same hospital if the topic of the presentation were "new developments in Pediatrics" and featured the participation of multiple health care facilities.

First, tpt and the partner meet to better understand each other's goals and capabilities. Once both partners agree to proceed, tpt prepares a plan and budget that is discussed and modified during a second meeting with operational staff of both organizations. The project is then executed, edited, evaluated and scheduled for broadcast (at a time chosen in close cooperation between the partners).

Twin Cities Public Television provides production expertise, equipment, staff, broadcast time, promotion support and limited production funding. Partner organizations provide content, subject-matter expertise, and core production funding.

To date, more than 100 organizations of all sizes have created more than 200 MN Channel programs. A list of recent partners and projects can be found here.

The cost varies depending on the requirements of the partner. The partner's share of cost for straight-forward speeches and lectures normally runs around $5,000. Studio-based specials normally cost $5,000 - $15,000 (less if part of an on-going series). Documentaries have costs starting at around $30,000.

MN Channel partners are recognized as co-producers of the program in the opening and closing credits. This recognition may include a logo and Web address on the screen as well as an announcement of the partner's name. Additional funders, who provided support to the partner or tpt for the specific program, may be acknowledged in similar fashion.

Yes. We contribute broadcast time to a number of organizations serving groups that are traditionally under-served by mainstream media. These include:

Kev Koom Siab (Hmong community)
Geetmala (Indian Community)
BelAhdan (Arab Community)
Chai City (South Asian Community)
Zona Latina (Latino Community)

Yes, to the extent that tpt and governmental agencies share a mission of "citizen information." We have produced several "Citizen Briefing" projects (homeland security, mad cow disease, chronic wasting disease) to communicate directly between government agencies and the people of Minnesota. To assure completeness and fairness, these briefings were accompanied by Q&A's with a neutral group of citizens or journalists selected by tpt. We have also produced full documentaries with government agencies, such as Invaders at Your Doorstep: Exotic Pests of the Midwest, and This is My Home.

Yes, if we feel the project is a true "public service" and not self-promotional and if it meets all of our editorial guidelines.

In general, tpt and the partner reach early consensus on the overall design and focus of the project. The partner brings to the discussion specific content expertise and tpt provides production and broadcast savvy. If consensus proves difficult, either party may to choose to terminate the project. As in all programs, tpt is charged by the FCC with having sole responsibility for all final broadcast decisions. For more information see Production Guidelines.