Host Your Own Podcast
Community media is created by you! If you, your organization, community group, or company are interested in using the Berks Community Television platform to spread your message and tell your story – we want to meet you!
BCTV podcasts air on our TV broadcast via our local cable channel and online on bctv.org and YouTube. Podcasts are also uploaded to the BCTV YouTube channel for convenient on-demand listening and sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. BCTV welcomes a wide variety of community produced podcasts. Podcasts on BCTV should be produced and/or hosted by Berks County citizens and/or be germane to Berks County communities. Podcasts may not include any political campaigning, commercial advertising, obscene content, or religious proselytizing.
A. BCTV offers a full-service podcasting studio that producers can book to record their podcast episodes, and professional staff for production support. Our podcast equipment includes multiple cameras, podcasting microphones, studio headphones, and more. If equipped to do so, producers can also create their own podcasts outside of our studio and submit it to BCTV for platforming.
A. Podcasts and TV programs share similar production processes and platforming options, but differ in key ways. Podcasts are audio-focused, using visible tabletop mics and headsets, even if video is included. In contrast, TV programs emphasize visuals—using hidden clip-on mics and offering additional opportunities such as green screens and the inclusion of visual aids like images and video clips.
A. Regularly scheduled podcasts are episodic and require the producer to meet a consistent production schedule which they can choose while proposing their podcast (quarterly, bi-monthly, or monthly).
A. BCTV podcasts are up to 45 minutes in length, and we will give you time cues in studio to keep you on track. If you are interested in producing shorter length episodes, series, clips, or you have other ideas please talk to us! We love to brainstorm.
A. Most podcast episodes are available online in one business day, and we will provide you with a link to make sharing easy. Your playlist will appear on our YouTube Channel for on-demand listening/viewing. If you are interested in having BCTV distribute your podcast to other platforms, we offer Podcast Management services and you can find the details here. Podcasts also air on a rotating schedule in the nightly ‘Pagoda Glow: Audio After Dark’ block on BCTV and our streaming channels. If the information you are sharing is time sensitive, please let us know in advance.
A. Podcasts created in our studio are recorded in one ‘take’ as though they are airing live. We typically do not provide post-production services for episodes, but editing services are available at affordable rates. We strive to make sure you have everything you need to be successful when you are recording with us. We will tell you exactly what to expect during your taping, where to look, etc. Just be yourself!
A. As a community media organization, we want to ensure that cost is never a barrier to having a podcast with us. There are nominal fees for requesting digital files (MP3’s and/or MP4’s) for podcasters interested in editing or publishing their podcasts independently, but there is no “fee” associated with producing a podcast. We do encourage those participating with us to become donors to BCTV. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on contributions from supporters like you to help to defray our costs and keep us thriving in service to our community. We suggest a $75 donation per studio taping and offer program underwriting sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organizations that want to support BCTV programming. Learn more about underwriting sponsorship here.
A. The BCTV studio is located in beautiful downtown Reading at 401 Penn Street, Reading, PA inside the Alvernia University John R. Post Center, CollegeTowne campus. Enter CollegeTowne at the building’s main entrance on Penn Street, sign in at the front desk, and BCTV is located on the first floor in Suite 162.
A. Guests of BCTV may park in the Chiarelli Garage (69 N. 3rd Street, Reading). We can validate your parking for this garage only. Please know your vehicle’s license plate number so that BCTV staff can assist you with validation. Paid parking is also available at meters, other garages, and on the street locally at your own expense. Parking locations, meter times, and pricing can be found at www.readingparking.com.
A. If you need assistance or additional information about producing and platforming content at BCTV, please contact our Programming Director, John Furdyna.
Getting Started
So you’ve got an idea for a podcast on BCTV and you’re ready to start production. Great! The first step is to propose your podcast by clicking the button below. Once submitted, your podcast proposal will be received by our Programming Director and reviewed internally by a volunteer committee. Once your request has been reviewed, you will be contacted with any further questions and to schedule the necessary dates and times for production.
