1. Do you believe there is a market for this network?
Definitely or we wouldn’t be doing it. We do think there is a market because Positive Television combines celebrity and charity, two things our society likes learning about. We felt that the merging of these two things can make both better and most importantly improve lives everywhere.
2. How do you plan on funding the television channel?
We think it will be easy to find advertisers for this network because its focus is on improving the world. Advertisers will happily pay just for the good public relations, but we also believe that corporations want to show the good they are doing. We expect the events to be sponsored by advertisers, such as the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, Revlon Run, and Target with their many projects.
3. Will this network primarily broadcast telethons?
We definitely don’t want this network to show telethons. We want the programming to be inspiring events such as awards shows, dinners, concerts, and sporting events. We want the viewers at home to be inspired by the shows and if they want to contribute money, they can call the network’s 800 number, which will put them in contact with the particular charity. We definitely don’t want this to be a telethon channel where viewers are constantly asked to give money, instead we want inspiring, programs that educate the viewers about causes while entertaining them.
4. How would you choose which charity events to televise?
Positive Television would want to televise as many events as possible. The criteria will be based on programming space and a preference to those organizations that create the most entertaining events.
5. How would you ensure that the money is going to the actual work of the charity and not lining the pockets of business people or the upper management of the charity?
This is one of our biggest concerns. There is an organization called the American Institute of Philanthropy, which monitors non-profit organizations and lists what percent of their revenue generated actually goes into their work. They break down what percentage goes to paying staff and operating costs and what percentage actually goes to doing the work of the charity. Positive Television wants to work with an organization like this and hopefully will work with the American Institute of Philanthropy.
After each fundraising event, we want the charity to print up a report on how much money was generated and what percentage of that money will go to direct services. Ideally, we would want the charities to have an idea prior to the event, but definitely want them reporting where the money went after the event. If charities are using the money wisely, we will continue to broadcast their events. If the charities aren’t using the money well, then we will work with them on helping them do better. If there isn’t improvement, then we will no longer promote the work they are doing.