FRONTLINE
125 Western Ave.
Boston, MA 02134
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline
PBS's flagship public affairs series, Frontline debuted in 1983 and has outlasted all other long-form documentary series on commercial networks.
Despite the lofty content of this literary television production, Frontline does not run on "a super formal system," according to editorial unit member Dana Reinhardt. So relaxed that she does not have a title. Frontline airs weekly on Tuesdays, time depends on the affiliate, from early October to the end of June.
The length of the show fluctuates - typically one hour, but such features as "Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?" have run up to three hours. Frontline editors evaluate about 900 program suggestions and proposals every year for 20 new program slots each season. Editorial content is generally half international and half domestic, diverging from public-affairs to cover a range from environmental stories to autobiographical pieces. Since the show is a long-form documentary production, it's not divided into easy-to-pitch-to sections.
SECTIONS: Located on its Web site, Frontline divides content into the following categories:
- biographies
- business
- criminal justice
- defense/military
- elections
- environment
- family/children
- foreign affairs
- government
- health/medical
- race/multicultural
- religion
- social issues
- sports
EDITORS/LEAD TIME/METHODS: Series Editor, Karen O'Connor Editorial Unit Member, Dana Reinhardt Phone: 617/783-3500 Fax: 617/254-0243
Abandon your phone and computer; stick with pen and paper to pitch to these editors. Ideas will be best received by snail mail and fax.
COMMENTS: "It's more likely that we would buy [a segment] if some of it had already been made," says Reinhardt. "It's pretty rare that we buy unsolicited pitches."
Specifically, Reinhardt prefers to receive VHS footage, but has capacity to view Beta as well. "It's always easier to judge something if you have something to see," Reinhardt adds.
Recent Stories
"The Farmer's Wife" features a young farm couple in rural Nebraska and the hardships they faced.
"The Two Nations of Black America" analyzes the largest black middle class in history, with still half of black children born into poverty.
"Down for the Count" addresses one of the most profitable, yet fatal efforts in America today.