Every on-air contest needs written official rules — for the audience, for the station, and for compliance. This template gives you a fill-in-the-blank starting point covering the sections a basic giveaway usually needs.
What it covers
- Contest basics — name, sponsoring station and licensee, dates, and prize value.
- Eligibility — residency, age, employee exclusions, and household limits.
- How to enter & win — entry method and how winners are selected.
- Prize claim — claim window, taxes, transferability, and releases.
- General terms — modification rights, where the rules are posted, and agreement to the rules.
Important: this is a starting point, not legal advice
Contest law varies by state and by prize value, and some promotions trigger registration or bonding requirements. Have your own legal counsel review your rules before you run any contest. Use this template to organize the details and speed up that review — not to replace it.
Once the rules are set, promote the contest across your show with a prep sheet so every break mentions it consistently.