May 22, 2013
Instructional Television & Digital Distribution
Electronic Transmission Prices, Procedures, and Policies
Educational institutions may license AIT video series for electronic transmission over satellite transponder, open-circuit broadcast stations, 2500 Mhz (ITFs) systems, closed-circuit (CCTV) systems, educational channels on cable (CATV) systems, and digital video servers or password-protected Internet access for the purpose of providing learning resources to students and teachers within a specified state or service region. Electronic transmission licenses are made available through lease agreements. These contracts authorize electronic transmission and limited off-air record/use. Other use rights are available for additional fees. All contracts are subject to the “Program Use Policies” in this section. All rights licensed by AIT are non-exclusive unless otherwise noted.
Figuring Your Electronic Transmission Lease Fees
Fees are calculated on up to three factors: (1) a license-to-use fee and (2) a media/satellite delivery service fee, if required, and (3) the metadata license fee, if required.
1. The “license-to-use” fee is based on the number and length of programs in a video series and the K–12 school enrollment—not the average daily attendance (ADA)—in the station or state/province service region. School enrollments are based on the latest U.S. Department of Education or the Canadian Provincial Ministry of Education statistics.
2. The “media masters/satellite delivery service” fee provides for the use of AIT duplicating masters or access to satellite “soft” feeds to prepare your own broadcast copies. Alternatively, licensees may purchase pre-recorded media to keep for the duration of the license.
3. Add 25% of the license-to-use fee for use of metadata files for digital media management. Also add 5% of the license-to-use fee for rights to disseminate electronic teacher guides.
Agency (a single licensee operating within a single state or province)
Add the program base rate to your K–12 school enrollment rate (see below) and multiply by the number of programs in the series. Deduct applicable discounts. This is your “license-to-use” fee.
State/Province (a state or provincial agency operating within a single state or province)
Add the program base rate to your state or province K–12 school enrollment rate (see below) and multiply it by the number of programs in the series. Deduct applicable discounts. This is your “license-to-use” fee.
Multiple State or Provincial Consortium (an agency representing schools from more than one state or province)
Add one program base rate for each state or province, multiply by .75, then add the K–12 school enrollment rate (see below) and multiply by the number of programs in the series. Deduct applicable discounts. This is your “license-to-use” fee.
TIP: The most cost-effective method for acquiring program licenses from AIT is to invest in long-term leases, aggregate enough programming to effect a volume discount, and collaborate with colleagues to coordinate regional purchases.
Program Base Rates
under 5-minute program—$30.00
5-minute program—$40.00
10-minute program—$45.00
15-minute program—$47.00
20-minute program—$50.00
25-minute program—$53.00
30-minute program—$55.00
40-minute program—$65.00
45-minute program—$70.00
50-minute program—$72.00
60-minute program—$75.00
75-minute program—$80.00
School Enrollment Rates
Enrollment populations are used as a basis for AIT to provide equity in use fees. The School Enrollment charge is $3.35 per 10,000 students up to 500,000. Over 500,000 the charge is $2.20 for each additional increment of 10,000 students or portion thereof. Student population figures are based on K–12 enrollments published by the U.S. Department of Education or Canadian Provincial Ministry of Education.
Volume Discounts
Agencies that lease several series may benefit from AIT’s “Volume Discount” plan. To qualify for volume discounts, agency orders must be received by AIT before July 1, and payment in full must be received by AIT before September 20 the same year. The discount schedule follows.
100–199 programs leased ......... 5% discount
200 or more programs leased ...... 10% discount
Consortium and Pre-Production Lease (PPL) programs for which an agency already receives a 25% discount or higher are not included in determining the total number of programs.
Media Masters/Satellite Delivery Service Fees
The media masters delivery service fee provides the use of AIT duplicating masters for the preparation of a leasing agency’s broadcast copies. The fee covers the use of the duplicating masters during a one-week period. The use fee is $1.50 per minute for the standard broadcast length of the program plus shipping and customs charges (if any). AIT participates in the National ITV Satellite Services (NISS) to provide feeds of new series for agencies to record their own broadcast copies.
Pre-Recorded Media Charge
Pre-recorded copies of AIT programs are available to electronic transmission lease agencies. AIT’s standard formats are DVD, 1/2" VHS, and Beta SP. All media are packaged in plastic impact cases. Charges vary depending on program length and media format and do not include shipping or custom fees (if any). The current price schedule is:
| Program Length (mins.) | DVD | DVCam | SP or Digital Beta |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to 5 | $7.50 | $55 | $65 |
| 10 | $15 | $55 | $65 |
| 15 | $22.50 | $55 | $65 |
| 20 | $30 | $62 | $72 |
| 25 | $37.50 | $70 | $80 |
| 30 | $45 | $70 | $80 |
| 40 | $60 | $105 | $115 |
| 60 | $90 | $135 | $145 |
MPEG formats media files are also available, please call for prices. Technical problems due to defects in tape will be replaced free if returned within 30 days of delivery.
All orders with September start dates must reach AIT no later than July 1. Otherwise, please allow AIT at least 2 to 4 weeks processing time for all media dub masters to be shipped. Orders are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Metadata License Fees
Content accessed through digital distributions systems may require specific metadata in order to operate management and search functions. AIT provides metadata for most current series including: indexed segments, keyword descriptions, subject/grade level references, and correlation to state curriculum standards. Metadata may be licensed for an additional 25% of the electronic transmission license.
Long-Term Lease Fees
AIT provides a two percent (2%) per year discount for multiple-year leases (up to five years), and fees are computed on current student population and rates. Payment in full must be made within the first year of the agreement.
Series with Special Fees
Consortium Project and Pre-Production Lease (PPL) series are exceptions to AIT’s regular electronic transmission fee structure. Substantial discounts and extended rights may apply. Contact AIT for information about available projects.
Teacher Guides
Electronic versions of teacher guides often are also available. Select series may also have printed guides available. To purchase hard copies of teacher guides, contact info@ait.net or call 1-800-457-4509. Hard copies may not be duplicated without prior permission from AIT, but they may be distributed by the buyer to third parties.
To secure a lease of an electronic version, simply add 5% additional to the lease license fee. Electronic teacher guides will be forwarded to the licensee as PDF files and may be posted on the licensee’s Web site without any password protection, provided that a copyright notice advising users that the materials are for the use of the licensee’s authorized users is included. Copies may also be printed by the licensee or designated agents, upon request or as needed for promoting utilization of the program.
Program Use Policies
Educational agencies (i.e., state departments of education, educational broadcast agencies, school districts, regional service centers, etc.) may license AIT programs for use in their state or service region through an annual contractual lease. Specified rights may be extended by the contracting agency’s state or specified service region only to K–12 educational institutions included in the student population figure on which the fee is based.
A list of all subsidiary service agencies, such as retransmitting or cable broadcast facilities, must accompany the contracting agency’s lease agreement with AIT. The contracting agency may not extend rights to any additional agencies without prior written permission from AIT and the payment of possible additional fees. AIT does not allow content to be incorporated or repurposed into compilations or collections without prior written consent.
The contracting agency’s licensed rights and state or service region will be specified in the lease agreement. Use rights may include electronic transmission, duplication/distribution, off-air record/use, off-air retention.
1. Electronic Transmission—includes the transmission of video and audio signals by electronic means originating from videotape, film, videocassette, laserdisc, DVD, digital media server, or similar device for the simultaneous display on television receivers, television monitors, computer monitors, projection systems, or similar electronic display equipment for use within the contracting agency’s specified state or service region by means of:
- Terrestrial Broadcast—includes transmission on open-circuit educational television stations (with simultaneous CATV carriage), closed-circuit systems, and ITFS systems for the purpose of providing programs to students and teachers for instructional use. Broadcast is limited to the hours of 12 midnight to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday only. Contact AIT for rates to broadcast series in primetime or on weekends.
- Satellite Transmission—includes up-link and down-link transmission for the purpose of delivering programs to subsidiary service agencies.
- CATV Origination—includes the programming of an educational access channel on a CATV system by the contracting agency or a subsidiary service agency for the purpose of providing programs for in-school use.
- Digital Video Servers—allow for random access to video products and may be provided to named subsidiary educational institutions for the period of the license. Secure access to media for viewing and downloading is allowed, including network or Internet access, provided reasonable steps are taken to limit use to authorized users during the term of the license.
2. Duplication/Distribution—includes the copying and distribution for audiovisual use of AIT programs by the contracting agency for the purpose of serving students and teachers in K-12 schools within the specified state or service region.
Duplicate copies may be used only during the term of the contracting agency’s lease agreement and must be erased at the conclusion of the agreement or licensed for retention (see “Off-Air Retention”). Contracting agencies may be required to provide AIT with a list specifying the name and address for each school district receiving duplicate copies.
Contracting agencies using a third party for duplication of AIT materials must notify AIT in advance. NO duplication of AIT materials is permitted by anyone other than the contracting agency without prior, written permission from AIT. Duplicating masters and duplicate copies are copyrighted materials.
Contracting and subsidiary service agencies may charge no fees in connection with duplication/distribution other than the actual costs for materials, duplication, and handling.
Upon expiration of the contracting agency’s lease agreement the agency and subsidiary service agencies must (1) erase all copies of their tapes, (2) formally notify all schools of the requirement to erase their tapes, and (3) provide AIT with a Certificate of Erasure stating that the agency and all subsidiary service agencies have been notified of the legal requirement to erase their copies of AIT programs.
3. Off-Air Record/Use—includes the recording of AIT programs off-air from broadcast, satellite, or cable transmission. These off-air copies may be used to serve students and teachers in schools within the specified state or service region during the term of the contracting agency’s agreement.
Upon expiration of the contracting agency’s lease agreement, the agency and subsidiary service agencies must (1) erase all copies of their tapes, (2) formally notify all subsidiary agencies of the requirement to erase their tapes, and (3) provide AIT with a Certificate of Erasure stating that the agency and all subsidiary service agencies have erased their tapes and that all schools have been notified of the legal requirement to erase their copies of AIT programs not otherwise licensed under AIT’s Off-Air Retention Policy.
NO duplication will be permitted from off-air recordings by subsidiary agencies.
4. Off-Air Retention—includes the licensing and retention for audiovisual use by schools in the state or specified service region of off-air copies (or duplicate copies provided by the contracting agency) of AIT programs after an agreement for electronic transmission has expired.
To be eligible for off-air retention, a series must have been distributed by AIT for at least five (5) years.
The current fee for licensing off-air retention is one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per minute for the standard broadcast length of the program for each copy of each program retained by subsidiary service agency, school district, or individual school.
No duplication will be permitted from off-air retention copies.
A 10% discount will be applied if a school licenses the complete set of programs from a series.
5. Cable Rights—are available. Contact your AIT Sales Representative.
6. Weekend and Primetime Broadcast Rights—may be available for an additional fee. Contact AIT.
All AIT programs are copyrighted works produced by AIT or by agencies represented by AIT. Generally, broad use rights are available, but not all series have all rights. Programs represented by AIT are intended for use during school hours in classroom settings. Their primary audience is K–12 students and teachers. AIT has tried to establish policies and prices that facilitate wide school use. However, leasing agencies share AIT’s obligation to protect copyrights and to prevent unauthorized duplication or use.
7. Use of metadata and electronic teacher guides—Metadata created for the purpose of managing licensed media are available from AIT for many series. All metadata are the exclusive intellectual property of AIT.
Licensed metadata may be used only for media management and only for the duration of the term of the license. Metadata may not be duplicated nor disseminated beyond the licensee's stated service area. A licensee may designate subsidiary agencies to house and utilize metadata when those agencies are identified in the license-to-use contract. Upon non-renewal of a metadata license, licensee must purge all metadata files from computers and the computers of all subsidiary agencies.
Electronic teacher guides may be posted on the licensee’s Web site without password protection, provided the licensee posts a copyright advisory noting that the teacher guide is for the use of authorized users only. Licensees of electronic teacher guides may also print copies of the guide as requested or needed to promote utilization of the series. Licensees may not print guides in anticipation of future needs and all existing copies and electronic files printed must be destroyed upon the non-renewal of an electronic teacher guide license.
Sources of AIT Programming
The collection of materials currently in distribution by AIT represents consortium-developed, co-produced, and acquired products. AIT works with stations and state, provincial, and local education agencies as well as independent producers to develop instructional multimedia classroom programming.
AIT Developed Programming
Consortium Projects
In the late 1960s, AIT’s predecessor organization brought together educators and broadcasters from across the continent to identify ways in which television could help meet their common needs—and the concept of the AIT consortium was born. AIT works closely with educators, broadcasters, authorities in various fields, and professional organizations. Study teams then determine how video, laserdisc, CD-ROM, or computer programming contribute in these areas. Provincial agencies in a consortium provide overall guidance and a significant portion of the funding. During production, their representatives meet with AIT staff to review the development of materials, guide information activities, and plan utilization.
Pre-Production Lease Projects (PPLs)
Smaller joint projects may originate with AIT or an individual production agency. By leasing the series during its design, evaluation, and production (prior to its broadcast release), interested user agencies obtain a reduced lease fee and extended rights.
Co-Productions
Series in high-priority areas are sometimes co-produced by AIT and an education or TV production agency. In a co-production, AIT contributes some financial support, instructional design, content development, and evaluation, in addition to marketing and distribution.
Acquired Programming
AIT seeks out new material developed by educational agencies and independent producers, looking for curricular use and relevance, instructional design, and production quality. AIT occasionally makes a small grant or advance against royalties to enhance a production or adapts an existing series and its related materials to make them more generally useful for instruction.