Public Broadcasting Service |
Note: Public Broadcasting Services
is a broadcaster in Malta. It is
unrelated to the U.S. broadcaster of this article.
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a private, non-profit public broadcasting television service with nearly 350 member TV stations in the United States. PBS headquarters are
in Alexandria, Virginia. PBS was founded in 1969, at which time it took over many of the functions of its predecessor, National Educational Television
(NET). PBS commenced broadcasting in October 1970.
Introduction
PBS is not a broadcast network in the traditional sense. Unlike the commercial television broadcast model, in which affiliates
give up portions of their local advertising airtime in exchange for network programming, PBS member stations pay substantial fees
for the shows acquired and distributed by the national organization.
This relationship means that PBS member stations have greater latitude in local scheduling than their commercial counterparts.
Scheduling of PBS-distributed series may vary wildly from market to market. This can be a source of tension as stations seek to
preserve their localism and PBS strives to market a consistent national lineup.
Sources of funding
In addition to member fees, PBS receives federal government money through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
(CPB). PBS-distributed programs may be funded in part by corporate sponsors and
non-profit groups such as the Annenberg Foundation.
The largest source of revenue for U.S. public television stations comes from
donations by individual viewers. Stations also receive federal dollars through CPB grants. Depending upon their location and
licensee, local stations may also be funded in part by state governments, colleges and universities. They can sell small portions
of their airtime in the form of underwriting, which differs from traditional advertising in terms of restrictions on language and product
usage.
Programming
PBS' evening schedule emphasizes fine arts (Great Performances),
drama (Mystery! and Masterpiece Theatre), science (Nova and Scientific American Frontiers), public affairs (Frontline) and independent films
(P.O.V. and Independent Lens).
PBS has distributed a number of highly regarded children's shows such as
Sesame Street, The Letter People, Barney and
Friends, Shining Time Station and
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
Popular animated series have included Clifford the Big Red
Dog, Arthur,
Liberty's Kids and
The Magic School Bus. The service has also
imported British kids' series including Teletubbies and Boohbah.
Member stations do not rely solely on PBS for their programming. Another major U.S. distributor is American Public Television (APT). In addition, stations
acquire syndicated programming such as The McLaughlin Group. They also produce a variety of local
shows, many of which subsequently receive national distribution through PBS or APT.
They are known for rebroadcasting British television dramas and comedies (acquired
from the BBC and other sources), and much of the exposure of audiences in the United States
to British television (particularly comedies) comes through PBS to the point where it
has been joked that PBS means "Primarily British Series". However, a significant amount of sharing takes place. The BBC and other
media outlets in the region such as Channel 4 often cooperate with PBS stations,
producing material that is shown on both sides of the Atlantic.
Other shows
Criticisms
PBS has been the subject of some controversy.
- Some conservatives dislike its perceived liberal bias and its tax-based revenue
and have periodically but unsuccessfully attempted to discontinue funding of CPB. Although state and federal sources account for a minority percentage of
public television funding, the system remains vulnerable to political pressure.
- Certain liberals dislike how much of its funding comes from corporate sponsorships and some are uncomfortable with shows such
as Wall $treet Week which they see as promoting a corporate outlook without any corresponding series featuring opposing views from labor unions.
- Individual programs, particularly those dealing with the subject of homosexuality, have been the targets of organized campaigns by those with opposing views.
- It was founded to provide diversity in programming at a time when all television was broadcast (as opposed to today's coaxial cable or
satellite transmission methods) and most communities received only three or four
signals. Today most households subscribe to cable TV or have satellite dishes that receive tens or hundreds of signals, including varied
educational and children's programs. However, public television proponents insist that the service is intended to provide
universal access, particularly to poor and rural viewers. It is also argued that many cable and satellite productions are of
lower quality.
- Most stations solicit individual donations by methods including pledge drives or telethons which can disrupt regularly-scheduled programming. Some viewers find this a source of annoyance.
New networks
PBS has also begun at least two new TV
networks: PBSYou and PBS Kids. Both are available on many digital cable systems, as well as DirecTV via satellite. It is
possible now that with the transition to terrestrial digital
television broadcasts, both may be available as alternate channels on some local stations in the near future.
See also
External link
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