Reach

La Salle 56 airs on the Comcast Cable and Urban CableWorks systems within the City of Philadelphia. Reaching over 200,000 homes, the station broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.

Programming

Between 10:00am and 2:00am the station runs programming with content ranging from sports to entertainment to social issues. Programs air based on content, timeliness, production quality, and schedule availability. In addition to regular timeslots, the program schedule contains station masters, two-hour tapes consisting of past shows and segments. An event controller in the headend system directs when each program will play so that programming airs even when the La Salle 56 office is closed. Only the station manager and office staff are allowed to access the headend.

During the academic year, the primetime hours between 8:00pm and 12:00am are designated strictly for La Salle-produced programs.

Non-Programming Hours

La Salle 56 displays a community message board with background music between 2:00am and 10:00am. The message board gives show descriptions, a program schedule, and news of both La Salle and community events. The station promotes the events and accomplishments of outside, non-profit organizations using the following guidelines:
· All messages must be for legitimate, non-profit organizations.
· Messages may not conflict with La Salle University's mission.
· All services offered must be available to people in Philadelphia.
· Messages should be short and to the point. La Salle 56 reserves the right to edit any message in order to fit the station's technical requirements or standards.
· All on-air messages that promote a service or event must include a telephone number that the public can call for more information.

Outside Programming

Programs produced outside of La Salle University must follow La Salle 56 guidelines and not exceed 20% of the total program schedule. Examples of outside programs include:
· "The Mass" - Produced by WPVI-TV for the Philadelphia Archdiocese; intends to reach homebound people who are unable to attend church.
· "Alexander Haig's World Business Review" - Produced by Multi-Media Productions; informs viewers on latest technology trends and innovations in business and industry.

Program Guidelines

Programs must reflect good taste and abstain from any actions or remarks considered obscene, racist, sexist, or prejudicial in any way. Programs should look professional, not only in content but in production quality, and adhere to the following guidelines:
· Programs must either use multiple cameras or have been edited. One-camera shoots or "talking head" programs are not permitted.
· Proper audio levels should be maintained throughout the program. Multiple mics should be used for panel discussions, interviews, news anchors, or for any other controlled setting involving multiple speakers.
· Lectures, classroom discussions, or campus events must be presented in an interesting manner and follow a format. An introduction and closing are required along with keyed names and graphics.
· All programs must end with copyright information and the tag, "This program was produced by the students, staff, and faculty of La Salle University." The station's email and web addresses should be included in the credits if they were not give during the show.

Show Evaluations

The station manager performs formal evaluations of regularly scheduled student shows and gives those evaluations to the student producers. Shows and producers are evaluated on:
· preparation
· quality of script, graphics, packages, and material covered
· level of crew involvement
· what elements work
· what needs improvement

New Shows

La Salle students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to create new shows for La Salle 56. To start a new show, the producer must first submit a proposal to the station manager. Proposal outlines can be obtained from the La Salle 56 office. The proposal must include:
· The producer's qualifications and contact information
· An in-depth description of the program's content (sample topics, if applicable)
· The target audience and reason for the program
· An estimated number of programs and program length
· An outline of the first show

La Salle 56 approves proposals only if:
· The producer is qualified to produce the proposed show
· The content is of value to La Salle University and Philadelphia audiences
· The idea does not duplicate or conflict with another program
· The show is technically feasible
· A crew and production time is available

The station accepts, rejects, or suggests changes based on the proposal. The Communication Department and station manager have final judgement on all programming decisions.

Promotion/Publicity

The station manager promotes the station and its shows using the channel message board, flyers, "Campus News," and department newsletters. Producers and crewmembers should promote their show as much as possible through every available means. All material should feature the station logo and must be approved by the show's producer and the station manager.

Each show is required to produce at least one station ID and one show promo (with program times) by the fall midsemester. Station IDs remind the viewers what station they are watching while show promos cross-promote other programs on the channel.