Hope Channel

Guide to applying for a TV licence

Pre-requisites:   Your licence application should form part of a project plan, which has been thoroughly discussed and agreed with your management team.  Before applying for the licence, you need to know the following (often requested on licence applications):

  • Where setup and operational funding will come from

  • Location of your studio, equipment and mast or tower

  • Equipment specifications

  • Target audience

  • Sources of broadcast material (including languages)

  • ..and other matters

Avoid a situation where the licence is granted and you are not able to implement your plans before expiry of the licence!

The following steps are recommended: 
1          Collect information (see research section)
2          Obtain a recommendation, (if a complex site)
3          Apply for a licence

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Step 2:  Obtain a recommendation from Hope Channel Technical

This step is required only where a city is regarded as COMPLEX.

A complex city is one where

1)              The city is large (usually over 2m)
2)              There is more than 1 broadcaster
3)              The terrain / topography is not flat – Many hills, valleys, etc.

If in doubt on this, you may discuss your needs with Hope Channel Technical on Techinfo (at) hope (dot) tv 

 

Step 3:  Apply for a licence

It is generally advisable to obtain copies of the licence application documents and rules governing broadcasting well in advance, in order to make a thorough study of them to ensure a well-prepared application.  Hope Channel technical advisers should be able to give advice on information required.

General guidelines:  [Please study this carefully and check that you are covering all the points below before any meetings with Regulators]

A broadcast licencing authority needs to be persuaded that:

a)              Although you are approaching them as a church-based channel, you intend to offer a wide range of programs which are not directly religious, such as programs on health, family happiness, children’s programs, etc.   Use the Hope Channel sampler DVD to demonstrate this.   Using a laptop, show a list of types of programs and ask the regulator to select what he would like to sample.

b)              Your broadcasts are relevant to and will fill an important need.  Give some examples of needs and programs that will meet those needs.   Use a Hope Channel program sampler DVD.

c)              A licence will bring development opportunities for local citizens, who will learn how to produce TV programs.  These programs could be shown all over the world on Hope Channel.

d)              We do not get involved in politics or partisan support of any groups.

e)              Our programs have a strong educational content and that we are affiliated to a network of universities and hospitals around the world.

f)                The Community in general will be enriched and educated by your programs.   Entertainment is not our main objective.  [Give some examples of how community will benefit].

 

Obtain the application form from the Broadcasting Regulator.

Note:  When applying for a TV broadcasting licence, it is advisable to at the same time request the licence for a Microwave link (Studio to Tower Link, or STL) operating on 2.4Ghz  and 0.5 watts, if you intend to have your video equipment at a different place than the tower.


Information sometimes requested by Regulators

 

Question
Answer / Information
1
 
What is your preferred Channel Number?  
Some Unions like to ask for channel 7

On UHF the lower channel numbers are preferable as they reach further.
Ask which channels are free. 

It is better to be closer to existing channels than to have a channel far away from existing channels.
2
 
Do we intend to use TVRO?
[TV Receive Only]
Yes
3
If yes. Which satellite is the TVRO intended to beam. Name of the organization or company? BBC, CNN, DW, etc.
 Name of satellite used for downlink to your studio
4
What type of program do you intend showing?
Our usual reply is:
Inspirational Christian Educational, Health, Family, and Bible-oriented programming.  (Non-political)
If possible indicate what  programming you can and intend to offer in local languages.
5
What power do you want to transmit?
NB: Watts used here are RMS watts.  For USA, please double the numbers used.

It is advisable to ask for more power than you intend to transmit at the start, so you can upgrade without difficulty at a later stage.
This will depend on the reception area you want to reach. 
In a small town, flat terrain 1watt will reach 8Km, 2 watts about 16Km
Larger cities may need 40 – 100 watts.
6
Name of broadcaster (licence applicant)
Use your name (Union, Conf etc.) and contact details.

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 For further assistance, please contact us at: Techinfo(at)hopetv (dot)org