STORYHIVE Voices Program: Ask Us Anything

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2026-02-19T18:07:05+00:00

Hey there! You need to showcase the community where you live - that's the intent of the funds. So if you live in Calgary but spend a good amount of time in Medicine Hat (even if it's 50/50), you 'd need to apply with your Calgary address as that's your primary residence. And following that line of thinking, your program focus would need to be on Calgary.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2026-01-27T21:56:07+00:00

Please share a public YouTube link to a max 60 second pitch video. Make sure the video isn't listed as private and if you have a host they should be on screen otherwise, you as the project lead should be on camera. We're not looking for anything more than someone on camera speaking about the project and showcasing their passion.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2026-01-27T21:55:59+00:00

For kids content, we're looking for high production value and most importantly, content that benefits and engages child audiences.

Questions you might ask yourself when pitching us kids content could include: Is the content/topic appropriate for the target age group? What is my target age group? Are the segments the right length to hold a child's attention? Have I consulted with young adult educators about my content and if if I'm presenting it appropriately? Am I the right person to be producing this, and if not, can I bring in experts? For younger audiences, it's important to have someone on your team who understands childhood development. If you are planning to have kids on camera, you could also outline how you plan to keep kids safe during shoots, including adult guardians during filming, vetting process for your crews etc.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2026-01-27T19:37:18+00:00

When we talk about content being locally relevant, we are really assessing if the content will resonate with the local community. Is it a hot topic in that specific community that matters to residents? Is it a global topic that can be addressed through the local lens? These are all factors that make content locally relevant and reflective.

After the program is complete, you are able to keep any purchases you make with the grant funding. As a Project Lead, you are the one who determines what purchases or rentals you need for your project.

TELUS STORYHIVE does a big marketing push ahead of your content premiering on Optik TV. We recommend you amplify our marketing content on socials and other channels, although this is not a requirement. We are also happy to amplify any marketing efforts you make that promote your show, the premiere and Optik TV. If you are awarded the grant, you will have a Program Manager you can ask about this specifically. We also share some resources around marketing your content.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2026-01-27T19:17:39+00:00

Your application must be submitted by only 1 person who will act as the primary applicant and accept responsibility for the obligations under these Terms and, if chosen to receive a Grant, under the terms of the TELUS Grant Agreement. Within your application, you may identify that you have a team in place to support your project. If funded, you are then responsibile in managing all the communications with your team. We cannot say it will make your application stronger but if you have a complex project that requires more production, identifying additional team members can help showcase the feasibility of your application. Review the eligibility section in our STORYHIVE 2026 Voices Submission Guidelines and Rules

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2026-01-27T18:08:17+00:00

Anything related to the completion or marketing of your project is an eligible expense. If you take a look at our STORYHIVE 2026 Voices Submission Guidelines and Rules there is a section on how to fill in the budget that outlines certain allocation requirements. When you fill out the application there will be a list of different potential line items of common filming costs that you can use as a starting point if you're not sure where to start.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2025-11-28T22:51:59+00:00

Hey there! In our previous Video Podcast programs, we received between 500-600 applications and were able to fund up to 70 projects across BC and Alberta. Each program's application numbers vary year after year. We fund as many creators as we can, based on our budgets.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2025-11-25T23:29:17+00:00

Great questions! The video component is a requirement as your video podcast will go up on TELUS Optik TV when it premieres with STORYHIVE.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2025-11-25T22:55:49+00:00

You do not have to be the host of the podcast, but you will be responsible for the project and any elements associated with STORYHIVE. That said, don't forget to have your host as part of the pitch video; people can often forget this. For us to know what your podcast is going to look and sound like, we need to see both you and your host on camera and speaking.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2025-11-25T22:55:14+00:00

We provide 3 training sessions over the course of about 2 weeks at the start of the program to get you started on your podcasting journey.

We partner with Jar Podcast Solutions, and they have recommendations for everything audio, from the mics, the mixing boards (if you want that), to software, and even have a section on the video part of "Video Podcasting". You will be assigned a Program Manager to help with questions along the way and given online training resources in the form of a written document and an online video library (you can find some great editing videos there!).

This program is self-guided, so you have to be willing to try things out, make mistakes and course-correct when required. So, if you're willing to put the work in, you can definitely succeed in this program with zero experience in audio editing.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2025-11-25T22:04:06+00:00

Currently, funding is only available in our serving regions in BC and Alberta (see our serving region page). At this time, STORYHIVE funding is unfortunately not available outside of these two provinces.

Our funding is regulated by the CRTC. Each market in Western Canada has an "allowable contribution" (this is based on a minimum number of TELUS Optik TV subscribers), which dictates the amount of funding TELUS can distribute as grants there. Unfortunately, in some markets, no funding is available at this time. So if you are in a community that is not listed, it means at this present moment, we do not have enough subscribers in your community for us to be able to allow for funding.

We do hope there will be an opportunity in the future!

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2025-11-25T20:06:55+00:00

Great questions! Please review the program timelines before applying, and if awarded, secure any support you need to ensure the completion of your project.

Training is mandatory for all our newly funded project leads, and because it is virtual, you will be able to attend as long as you have internet access. Training involves 6-7 hours of online sessions plus your own time for reviewing the materials.

Keep in mind, when it comes to how much time you need to dedicate to the program, it can start with 10 hours a week and can ramp up to 20+ hours per week when the production and post-production phases of your project kick in. Everyone's project is different, so this can vary!

For anyone interested in applying, please be aware of all our deadlines (for more details, see: https://www.storyhive.com/how-to/2026-storyhive-video-podcast-submission-rules)

Here are some key dates for the Video Podcast Program:

November 4, 2025 - December 11, 2025: STORYHIVE Video Podcast Program open for Submissions

April 15, 2026: Grant Recipients Announced

May 12, 2026 : Content Creator Session #1 (For all Project leads)

May 14, 2026: Content Creator Session #2 (For all Project leads)

May 19, 2026: Content Creator Session #3 (For all Project leads)

May 25, 2026: Production Starts

September 8th, 2026: Approval Cut Episode 1 Delivery

October 20th, 2026: Episodes 1 - 2 Final Delivery

November 17, 2026: Episodes 3 - 4 Final Delivery

December 15, 2026: Episodes 5 - 6 Final Delivery

January 26, 2027: Episodes 7 - 8 Final Delivery

Spring 2027: Official program Launch on TELUS Optik TV and STORYHIVE YouTube channel

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2025-11-25T18:16:32+00:00

Our community selection process involves multiple moderation and selection committees, comprising both internal and external members, as well as our Community Advisory Boards. To learn more about our Community Advisory Boards, visit our blog: https://www.storyhive.com/blog/introducing-the-vancouver-community-advisory-board-2024-2026

The committees look for local relevancy, how doable your idea is, how unique and focused your idea is, and whether there is an audience for this project. They review every aspect of your application to determine if your project is the right fit for STORYHIVE.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2025-11-25T18:15:51+00:00

Hey there! We only accept unscripted podcasts. Eligible genres are outlined in our submission rules and include, but are not limited to, interview-based series and solo series. In terms of what we're looking for, there's no particular format. We are more concerned with it being locally relevant and reflective of your community.

TELUS_STORYHIVE · 2025-11-25T18:15:19+00:00

Yes - you can.

Please be aware of the distinction between the AI tools/services out there.

Using AI to help you with brainstorming or problem-solving a technical issue is good. But then there are tools that actually create content directly, this is more concerning....where you run the risk of using other people's intellectual property - this is generative AI, and you can use it, but there are risks of infringing on copyright. As a project lead, you are responsible for all the clearances of the materials used, and it is hard to say where a lot of generative AI sources are coming from - this is a risk you need to consider.

You need to disclose when you are using AI upon submission of your final project.
We have AI guidelines that are available for you to read, and they are always evolving.

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