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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Another Pledge Drive? Isn't there a better way to raise money?
A: Pledge drives are unbeatable when it comes to encouraging new members to join Detroit Public TV in the least costly way. When viewers just finish watching a program that they feel is worthy of support, they are strongly motivated to make a contribution. Pledge drives make it easy for current members to renew and for other viewers to join. During our sixty (60) days per year of televised fundraising, we're able to generate nearly half of our contributions from individuals. When we attract new members and additional gifts on air, there are more dollars available for the programs you enjoy. Q: I pledged during the last pledge drive. Why have I been charged
already on my credit card, when I haven't received the item I bought?
A: The charge on your credit card is a donation to Detroit Public Television. While we attempt to send bonus items as quickly as possible, the "thank you" gift that you requested is a "thank you" for your financial support of DPTV. No sales tax is charged, and no sales transaction occurred. Q: I'm from Canada, and I'd like to give the station a gift. Will
I be charged in U.S. or Canadian funds?
A: Because our bank is in the United States, all charge card pledges are automatically charged in U.S. funds. We cannot take charges in Canadian funds. We appreciate all donations, but we do buy all our programming and services with U.S. dollars. Therefore, on checks from Canada you can either specify U.S. funds, or we will accept them at par if you would like to pay that way. Q: Why am I getting renewal and reminder notices after I paid my
pledge?
A: The most likely answer is that our notices and your payments are just crossing in the mail. If you believe your account is in error, please contact Member Services at (248) 305-3900 or Contact Us! Q: I pledged during the last pledge drive. How long will it be before
I receive my bonus item?
A: On the average, it takes about six to eight (6-8) weeks for you to receive your bonus item (VHS, CDs, tote bags, etc.) after making a donation. We try to pre-order a small quantity of most items before each drive to expedite delivery, but availability and demand sometimes result in delays. We do mail most items at the first class rate, and we usually ship "combo" items separately. We'll try to let you know if there will be a delivery delay. If you signed up for the installment plan, you will receive your bonus item after the majority of your pledge has been paid. Gifts sent to Canada are shipped First Class via the Canadian postal service. By law, we must include a Customs Declaration, including a description of the gift and its fair market value. Please note you will be required to pay a duty upon arrival of the gift. Q: I made a pledge to the station this year. How much of my donation
is tax deductible?
A: DPTV is a U.S. non-profit organization, and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law if you itemize on your U.S. 1040 form. In Michigan, an actual tax credit of 50% of a donation up to $200 for individuals and up to $400 for couples can be claimed on your MI-1040 form for specified "public contributions," such as Detroit Public Television. You must deduct the fair market value of any bonus item received for deductions or credits. Please consult your tax advisor. Canadian residents may receive a tax break if they have a source of taxable income from the United States. Q: Why are some of my favorite programs preempted during pledge
periods?
A: We realize it can be frustrating when a program that you're fond of disappears for the several weeks of pledge specials. Very few shows produce fifty-two (52) weeks a year of new material and in many cases the shows are not timed or formatted for fundraising purposes by the producers. Programs are selected to air during pledge drives not only for their ability to entertain or enlighten but their potential to generate contributions. As more viewers join you as Detroit Public TV members, they support the programs that we all enjoy year round. We try to minimize the disruption of your favorites by limiting pledge days to fewer than sixty (60) per year, so that you have over three hundred (300) days a year pledge-free. Q: How can I get a videotape copy of a program that has aired on
Detroit Public TV?
A: Many of the programs shown on Detroit Public TV, such as The American Experience, Mystery! and Nature, are available through several outlets. You can try: Video Finders (800) 343-4PBS PBS Home Video (800) PLAY-PBS PBS Video (800) 328-7271 (for organizations, schools, educators, etc.) Movies Unlimited (800) 543-0823 Reading Rainbow, GPN at (800) 228-4630 WGBH Video (800) 949-8670 x.498 (Nova, Antiques Roadshow) WNET Video (800) 336-1917 (Great Performances, Nature) The Sprawling of America (734) 647-3497 Program-related offers during on-air pledge drives are usually only
available by contributing to Detroit Public Television. Please call
(248) 305-3900 for those items or pledge
online. If all else fails, please call Viewer Services at (313)
876-8356 or Contact
Us!
Q: Why can't you air some of my favorite programs more frequently
than once a week? When will a program air again?
A: Actually, Detroit Public TV repeats most of its prime time schedule each night beginning at 1 a.m. For example, if you tune in late for Nova on Tuesday, you can usually also watch or tape it that same night after 1 a.m. ET. Then, once a program has aired, it generally takes about four to six (4-6) months before it's repeated. As you might guess, there are more programs than there are hours in the day to broadcast them. In some cases, programs also repeat on the weekend. You may also check our online listings for upcoming programs. Q: Why are some of my favorite programs preempted during pledge
periods?
A: We realize it can be frustrating when a program that you're fond of disappears for the several weeks of pledge specials. Very few shows produce fifty-two (52) weeks a year of new material and in many cases the shows are not timed or formatted for fundraising purposes by the producers. Programs are selected to air during pledge drives not only for their ability to entertain or enlighten but their potential to generate contributions. As more viewers join you as Detroit Public TV members, they support the programs that we all enjoy year round. We try to minimize the disruption of your favorites by limiting pledge days to fewer than sixty (60) per year, so that you have over three hundred (300) days a year pledge-free. Q: What is DVS?
A: It is Descriptive Video Service for the visually impaired on our "second audio" channel for selected programs. For information on DVS visit the Frequently Asked Questions page at wgbh.org/dvs. Q: Do all programs on Detroit Public TV come from PBS?
A: Programs on WTVS come from a variety of sources, including PBS member stations for programs like Nova, Sesame Street, American Playhouse and The Civil War, and "acquisitions" from independent producers and syndicators, for programs such as Riverdance, The Best of National Geographic, Are You Being Served? and Film Festival. WTVS also produces original programming for local and national audiences, including American Black Journal (ABJ), Backstage Pass, The Wealthy Barber Specials with David Chilton and more. Q: I did not receive my Signal magazine this month. What is the
reason for my missing issue?
A: If you recently pledged, it takes forty-five to sixty (45-60) days for the Signal mailings to begin. The current Signal issue may be a double issue and depending on the timing of your donation, it may be sixty (60) days or more before receiving the first issue. Every DPTV member will receive Signal magazine for one (1) year from the date of the first issue. Q: I already called and told you not to exchange my name, but my
acknowledgement letter says to call if I don't want my name exchanged.
Why?
A: That statement is a standard on all acknowledgement letters. If you have already requested that we not exchange your name, your account has been permanently coded as such, and you do not have to call again. Q: I've always wanted to volunteer my time at Detroit Public TV.
How do I sign up?
A: Contact the Volunteer Department at (248) 305-3911, or sign-up online. Q: Who owns Detroit Public Television?
A: WTVS Detroit Public Television, first broadcast in 1955, is a non-commercial, viewer-supported public television station licensed to the Detroit Educational Television Foundation. As a community licensee, WTVS is governed by a 56-member Board of Trustees made up of Detroit area citizens. The staff of Detroit Public Television is led by WTVS President and General Manager Steven Antoniotti. As a partner with the communities it serves, Detroit Public Television (DPTV) receives input from its Community Advisory Panel (CAP), comprised of volunteer representatives from metropolitan Detroit and Windsor. These Panel members advise DPTV on the programming needs and interests of the public, provide targeted outreach to alert interested groups to the programming and resources of DPTV, and maintain a pro-active role with both DPTV and the community at large. Currently, the CAP meets bi-monthly with DPTV staff and administration. The public is invited to attend these meetings and voice their interests as well. For more information on attending these meetings, call (313) 876-9510. WTVS broadcasts 24 hours each day and is a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member station. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is an independent agency which partially funds some PBS programming with federal appropriations and works to ensure the success of public broadcasting in America. This support costs taxpayers about 75 cents a year. Q: Where does Detroit Public TV gets its operating funds?
A: Individual viewers, by responding to pledge drives, online incentives, telemarketing and direct mail, provide Detroit Public Television with over half of the station's operating budget. Other funding sources include the Detroit Public Television Online Auction, corporate contributions and grants from the government and private foundations. Detroit Public TV receives no funding from the State of Michigan. Q: How many people watch Detroit Public TV?
A: Each week, over one million Detroit-area households watch WTVS. In addition, there are close to 1.8 million households throughout Canada that receive WTVS via satellite and cable. Because of this enormous reach, more people "visit" Detroit Public Television than any other cultural institution in Southeast Michigan. Q: What's the biggest financial challenge facing Detroit Public
TV?
A: The federal government is requiring all public television stations to convert to digital television, at a cost of about $10 million. Additionally, WTVS should replace its aging facility at an estimated cost of $25 million. Partial funding might come from leasing of digital channels to governmental, educational and commercial partners. |
We welcome feedback and questions from our viewers.
If you are unable to find the answer to your question below, please feel
free to contact us at email@dptv.org
or give us a call at (248) 305-3788.
Want to send a letter? Mail it to:
Detroit Public Television 1 Clover Court Wixom, MI 48393-2247 Contact Information
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