Frequently Asked Questions — The Public Service Network

Find answers to common questions about how PSN helps nonprofits and government organizations share their messages effectively.

PSN – Public Service Network is a nonprofit media distributor helping government agencies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations expand the reach of their public service announcements (PSAs). We connect purpose-driven campaigns to broadcast, digital, radio, and out-of-home media channels nationwide.

We work with:

  • Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • State and government agencies and public health departments
  • Cause-driven coalitions and advocacy groups

Campaigns must serve the public interest, be non-commercial in nature, and meet FCC standards for PSA eligibility.

Simply reach out through the form on our Contact page. We’ll walk you through eligibility, creative asset requirements, and the distribution process step by step.

PSN distributes PSAs across a robust network of:

  • Television and radio stations
  • Streaming platforms
  • Digital and social media
  • Print and out-of-home (OOH) networks

Distribution is customized based on your campaign goals, audience, and assets.

Yes. Every nationwide campaign includes detailed analytics to help you measure your reach, frequency, earned media value, and market penetration.
We provide:

  • Monthly and final usage reports
  • Breakdown by media type and region
  • An interactive Infographic with campaign results
  • Optional custom reporting for advanced needs

Download a sample of our interactive infographic and discover how we provide transparent reporting.

Our interactive infographic reports showcase your campaign’s impact with visual clarity. Each includes:

  • Total number of airings
  • Total Audience Estimate
  • Campaign Ad Equivalency Estimate
  • Interactive DMAs
  • Top-performing markets & stations
  • Daypart charts and graphs

These reports are presentation-ready for stakeholders, funders, and internal teams. Download a sample of our interactive infographic and discover how we provide transparent reporting.

While PSN specializes in distribution and strategy, we collaborate with trusted creative partners and can refer you for:

  • PSA video production
  • Scriptwriting
  • Accessibility compliance (captions, translations, etc.)

PSN provides a range of services with varying costs, including both donated and paid distribution options. Our offerings include setup, tracking and reporting, and marketing support where applicable. Based on your campaign’s scope, timeline, and budget, our team will recommend the most effective path.

To set up a meeting and discuss pricing tailored to your campaign, please contact PSN at 703.229.1202, email info@psnmedia.com, or use our contact form.

Many PSAs on PSAbank are EVERGREEN, meaning they have no expiration date. This is a key differentiator from other PSA distributors — it makes it easier for stations to keep the messages on the air and benefits organizations by eliminating concerns about usage rights or expirations.

See our Tip Sheet page for more on this topic.

Some PSAs may still have time-limited relevancy (for example, those tied to events, seasonal campaigns, or timely issues), but these will be clearly designated.

A donated media campaign is one of the most effective ways to stretch your PSA dollars and amplify your campaign’s reach.

Our donated TV, Cable and Radio programs include airtime placements that are provided at no cost by more than 11,000 opt-in partner media station and network outlets. PSN charges modest fees for the essential program services — including PSA preparation, tracking, media marketing, and detailed weekly reporting — to ensure your campaign performs at its best.

The bottom line: our clients typically see a return on investment of well over 500% on state programs and more than 3,000% on nationwide donated media campaigns. That’s a significant boost for your brand and program awareness initiatives.

With a donated media campaign from PSN, your message gets the attention it deserves — at a price you can afford.

How It Works

Every day, television, cable, and radio networks have commercial spots that go unsold — even during prime time. Stations often fill those slots with public service announcements to support their communities.

So where do they find broadcast-ready PSAs? That’s where PSN comes in.

With a network of over 11,000 television, cable, radio, and digital outlets, PSN is the go-to distributor for stations seeking quality PSAs. When airtime becomes available, they turn to us to find content that fits their community programming needs.

If you already work with an ad agency, no problem — as a PSA specialist, we collaborate seamlessly with agencies to get your PSA on the air.

For a detailed breakdown of these services and to explore how they can be integrated into your campaign, visit the PSN Contact page. If you need assistance in selecting the right mix of media for your objectives, feel free to ask!

Our Media Ambassadors have built trusted relationships with station managers and programmers nationwide. Their sole focus: getting your PSA aired, free, on our partner networks in your target markets.

Here’s how we make it happen:

  1. Preparation & Tracking: We encode your PSAs for distribution and monitoring via Nielsen Media Research and other tracking tools.
  2. Outreach: We send a professional media advisory with your campaign details and secure download links, so outlets can easily access your PSAs in their preferred formats.
  3. Distribution: We make the process easy for stations using digital point and click methodologies so they can preview and download broadcast quality content quickly and confidently knowing that it has been thoroughly vetted for quality, formatting and meets the necessary PSA qualifications for nonprofit or government use.
  4. Visibility: Your PSAs are featured on PSABank.com, our one-stop repository of broadcast-ready public service content. Media outlets regularly browse the site for timely PSAs to fill available airtime, often extending your campaign’s reach well beyond its initial run.

Featured Public Service Announcement (PSA) Campaigns Distributed by PSN

State Campaign

NAMI Chicago PSN TV – State
Title: “NAMI Chicago Helpline”
Distribution: Chicago, IL
Length :30 in English

National Nonprofit Campaign

Dementia Society – PSN TV
Title: “Caregiver”
Distribution: National
Length :15, :30 & :60 in English

Government Campaign

TSA – PSN TV
Title: “Be your REAL ID Self”
Distribution: National
Length :15 & :30 in English and Spanish