Since its inception, the Penn Video Network (PVN) has aided University professors by supporting their curricula and program needs with films. Each year, PVN works in conjunction with many professors, classes, and student groups to present a more complete educational experience that extends past the classroom.

If you are a University professor or course instructor, or if you are involved with a recognized Penn student group, the Penn Video Network can supplement your curriculum, syllabus, or special event with films and programs broadcast over our closed-circuit cable television network. You can request movies to be shown on our 24/7 PVN Movie Channels (channels 11 and 22); or you can request programs to be run on our Special Events Channel (channel 24).

The Penn Video Network offers this service free of charge to University departments, instructors, and all SAC-recognized student groups.

One of the best aspects of PVN Movie Channels is their wide availability: PVN is accessible in all of the undergraduate College Houses; the Sansom Place towers; the GreekNet fraternities and sororities; and over thirty more buildings on campus. We encourage you to use that availability to your advantage!

PVN works with two film distributors to program our Movie Channels. We are legally bound to broadcast only those movies whose rights we receive from these distributors.

PLEASE NOTE: While our distributors represent about 75% of the Hollywood studios, it is possible that we may not be able to obtain the film rebroadcast rights for all of your requests. Please consider backup titles for each movie in case we are unable to reserve your first choice.

If you would like more information on what movies are available, you can request a printed catalog from our offices.

Monthly schedules for the PVN Movie Channels are determined about two months in advance, so that we can verify availability of titles and schedule properly. If you are interested in requesting titles, fill out the online form. It’s never too early to reserve movie titles!

The reservation deadline is as follows:

Keep in mind that movies are reserved for one calendar month. If you would like a movie to run September 25 through October 15, that title has to be reserved for both months.

We will schedule each month's films, according to the curriculum information you provide us. You can fill out the online form here.

For scheduling purposes, we will require the following information:

1. Your name (or instructor's name).
2. Course Name and Department.
3. List of suggested titles.
4. Month that you want each title to run on the Movie Channels (titles can only run for one calendar month at a time).
5. Air-by date for your film. We will do our best to schedule your film to air before your specified air-by date.
6. Space available for additional notes for PVN.

Films are put into the standard rotation of 7 movies per week, per channel; your requested film will air about twice each calendar day, once in the morning and then again in the evening. Be aware that Channel 11 and Channel 22 are running separate schedules, and your requested title will air on only one of those channels.

Films shown on the PVN Movie Channels must meet federal guidelines for closed-circuit television and cable systems, and so not every title is available for distribution over the PVN network. However, the PVN staff is available to suggest substitute titles, or provide alternative avenues that comply with federal regulations. If you would like a catalog of the titles available from our distributors, please email video[@]isc.upenn.edu.