PBS Communications, PBS Development Services and PBS Digital Twin Cities PBS (TPT) Passport Press Materials 2016 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TPT Passport Press release ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3 TPT Passport Press Talking Points ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 TPT Passport media Q&A ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5 TWIN CITIES PBS (TPT) PASSPORT PRESS MATERIALS | Assets & Instructions For Use 3 TPT PASSPORT PRESS RELEASE Twin Cities PBS Launches New On-­‐Demand Streaming Video Member Benefit –
TPT Passport provides extended access to a rich library of on-­‐demand public television programming across genres, including drama, science, history, the arts and more – SAINT PAUL, Minn., March 29, 2016 – This month, Twin Cities PBS (TPT) introduced TPT Passport – a new member benefit offering extended on-­‐demand access to a rich library of public television programming. TPT Passport provides donors access to current and archival programs from both PBS and TPT and is available via TPT.org, PBS.org and other digital platforms. Today there are several hundred hours of content available to donors through TPT Passport and the library will continue to grow over time. Current titles include DOWNTON ABBEY, WOLF HALL and other dramas from MASTERPIECE, as well as favorites such as VICIOUS, MAKERS, EARTH A NEW WILD, HOW WE GOT TO NOW, THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW, and many more. “TPT is proud to offer TPT Passport as a new member benefit – one of many available to our generous donors – providing them on-­‐demand access to even more of the public television programming they love,” said Jim Pagliarini, president & CEO, TPT. “We think our donors will enjoy extended access to great programming through TPT Passport. It’s just one more way we can say thank you to our community of donors – whether they’ve been with us for years or becoming members for the first time.” In addition to tpt.org, TPT Passport will also be available to members when they identify TPT as their local PBS member station on PBS.org and the PBS Video apps for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, as well as the PBS app on AppleTV. TPT Passport will be available on more platforms in the future. Station members must activate their account before they can access TPT Passport. TPT Passport is the newest member benefit available from TPT for donors with a yearly contribution of at least $60 or an ongoing monthly contribution of $5 or more. It cannot be purchased separately. PBS and TPT TWIN CITIES PBS (TPT) PASSPORT PRESS MATERIALS | Assets & Instructions For Use 4 content will continue to be available for free after its broadcast premiere on PBS.org, tpt.org, and other digital platforms. For more information on TPT Passport and the other benefits of becoming a TPT member, please visit: www.tpt.org/passport. “Downton Abbey” is a Carnival Films/MASTERPIECE Co-­‐Production. About TPT The mission of TPT is to “enrich lives and strengthen our community through the power of media.” As one of the nation’s leading public media organizations, Twin Cities PBS (TPT) uses television, interactive media and community engagement to advance education, culture and citizenship. Over its nearly 60-­‐year history, TPT has been recognized for its innovation and creativity with numerous awards, including Peabody awards and national and regional Emmys. Based in St. Paul, MN, TPT is the most highly-­‐viewed public TV station in the nation, reaching over 1.7 million people each month through multiple broadcast and online channels. The organization's particular areas of focus include: the educational readiness of children; serving the needs and unleashing the potential of America's aging population; engaging a new generation in the power of public media; and being the preferred media partner for organizations that align with our mission to enrich lives and strengthen community. For more information about TPT, visit our website at www.tpt.org or join us on Facebook and Twitter. Contact Elle Lyons, TPT Communications Manager – [email protected] | 651-­‐229-­‐1491 # # # TWIN CITIES PBS (TPT) PASSPORT PRESS MATERIALS | Assets & Instructions For Use 5 TPT PASSPORT PRESS TALKING POINTS •
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TPT has introduced TPT Passport, a new member benefit which gives TPT donors extended on-­‐demand access to a rich library of great of public television programming. As more consumers are watching television content on demand via digital platforms, TPT Passport offers donors both PBS and TPT content on a range of platforms including computers, smartphones and tablets. At launch, TPT Passport will offer several hundred hours of programming across drama, science, history, natural history and the arts. Notable titles include MASTERPIECE series such as “Downton Abbey” and “Wolf Hall,” along with other favorites such as VICIOUS, EARTH A NEW WILD, HOW WE GOT TO NOW, THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW and many more. o
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This library will continue to grow as more series and episodes are added. Donors must activate their account for access to TPT Passport. They will be asked to register to confirm their identity and member status, and then they can start enjoying TPT Passport. TPT Passport can be accessed on tpt.org, as well as on PBS.org, the PBS Video apps for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, and the PBS app on AppleTV when TPT has been identified as the member’s local station. To get started, look for videos with the compass icon. Those videos are only available to users who are registered for TPT Passport. TPT Passport is the newest member benefit available from TPT for donors with a yearly contribution of at least $60 or an ongoing monthly contribution of $5 or more. It cannot be purchased separately. Donations from members provide vital support to TPT here in our community. TPT Passport is an added benefit of station membership. It cannot be purchased separately. PBS and TPT content will continue to be available for free on PBS.org, tpt.org, and other digital platforms after its broadcast premiere. TPT Passport simply provides TPT members extended access to PBS and TPT content. Certain content, including news and public affairs programs such as FRONTLINE, PBS NEWSHOUR, INDEPENDENT LENS and POV, will always be accessible to everyone. TPT PASSPORT MEDIA Q&A TWIN CITIES PBS (TPT) PASSPORT PRESS MATERIALS | Assets & Instructions For Use 6 1. What is TPT Passport? TPT Passport is a new member benefit which provides TPT donors extended on-­‐demand access to a rich library of quality public television programming. This is one of the many benefits that TPT provides its donors, along with: a subscription to the TPT magazine, discounts at local retailers, 15% off at ShopPBS.org, and more. 2. Why is TPT making this service available? As more and more people are watching television content on demand on digital devices, TPT Passport gives TPT donors a way to enjoy extended access to PBS and TPT content on platforms including computers, smartphones and tablets. 3. What kind of content can people find on TPT Passport? At launch, TPT Passport will include several hundred hours of programming, representing many genres, including drama, science, history, natural history and the arts. Notable titles include MASTERPIECE series such as “Downton Abbey” and “Wolf Hall,” along with other favorites such as VICIOUS, EARTH A NEW WILD, HOW WE GOT TO NOW, THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW and many more. The TPT Passport library will continue to grow as more series and episodes are added. 4. How can viewers find content that’s available on TPT Passport? Donors who wish to take advantage of TPT Passport, must activate their account for access. They will be asked to register to confirm their identity and membership status, and then they can start enjoying TPT Passport. TPT Passport can be accessed on tpt.org, as well as on PBS.org, the PBS Video apps for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, and the PBS app on AppleTV when TPT has been identified as the member’s local station. To get started, look for videos with the compass icon. Those videos are only available to users who are registered for TPT Passport. 5. Who qualifies for TPT Passport? TPT Passport is the newest member benefit available from TPT for donors with a yearly contribution of at least $60 or an ongoing monthly contribution of $5 or more. It cannot be purchased separately. 6. Is TPT Passport a service or subscription that people can purchase? TPT Passport is an added benefit of station membership. It cannot be purchased separately and is not a subscription service. 7. Does TPT Passport mean there will be no more free streaming on PBS.org or on tpt.org? TWIN CITIES PBS (TPT) PASSPORT PRESS MATERIALS | Assets & Instructions For Use 7 No. PBS and TPT content will continue to be available for free on PBS.org, tpt.org, and other digital platforms. TPT Passport provides extended access to a rich library of content for TPT members to enjoy. Certain content, including news and public affairs programs such as FRONTLINE, PBS NEWSHOUR, INDEPENDENT LENS and POV, will always be accessible to everyone. 8. Doesn’t having a subset of content only for donors go against what PBS and TPT stand for? PBS is committed to providing free streaming of local and national content across multiple platforms after a program airs. TPT Passport goes one step further by offering an extended access to a rich library of content for station donors. Certain content, including news and public affairs programs such as FRONTLINE, PBS NEWSHOUR, INDEPENDENT LENS and POV, will always be accessible to everyone. 9. I’m not seeing my favorite PBS show in TPT Passport. Why not? Initially, several hundred hours of content will be available via TPT Passport. This library of content will continue grow over time as more titles are added. 10. Will PBS KIDS content be available via TPT Passport? There are no plans to include PBS KIDS programming in TPT Passport at this time. TWIN CITIES PBS (TPT) PASSPORT PRESS MATERIALS | Assets & Instructions For Use