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Save PBS. It makes us safer

nytimes.com

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Re: Save PBS. It makes us safer

#11

Post by richardjs »

helthanatos wrote: post #4

PBS doesn't have commercials? Because I'm pretty sure it does.

PBS has underwriting spots that are only shown between programs and are subject to more restrictions than commercials: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwriting_spot

No programming is interrupted, and the only marketing content is typically something like "Brand Flakes is happy to support PBS".

Re: Save PBS. It makes us safer

#12

Post by vachi »

nightski wrote: post #7
js2 wrote: post #5

Fred Rogers testifying before congress in 1969 about why PBS should be funded: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fredrogerssenatetes...

The world has changed a lot since 1969. Many homes don't even have network television anymore.

PBS news hour has 390k subs on youtube and does 50k views on their nightly 50min. Compared to other news networks this is not too shabby. So yeah don't worry they have many other ways of getting to viewers.

Re: Save PBS. It makes us safer

#14

Post by jklinger410 »

richardjs wrote: post #11
helthanatos wrote: post #4

PBS doesn't have commercials? Because I'm pretty sure it does.

PBS has underwriting spots that are only shown between programs and are subject to more restrictions than commercials: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwriting_spot No programming is interrupted, and the only marketing content is typically something like "Brand Flakes is happy to support PBS".

They are commercials.

Re: Save PBS. It makes us safer

#15

Post by bgun »

helthanatos wrote: post #4

PBS doesn't have commercials? Because I'm pretty sure it does.

If I recall correctly (haven't owned a TV in awhile), PBS highlighted its "underwriters", certain "sponsors" for specific shows, public services such as local cultural events and other PBS shows, and fundraising. The line between "sponsors" and "advertisers" was definitely blurry at times, but it just... felt different than regular TV spots.

Re: Save PBS. It makes us safer

#16

Post by saboot »

vinay427 wrote: post #8
randyrand wrote: post #6

How come PBS cannot fund itself? And make profit and revenue? Just curious.

In my opinion, this will ruin the editorial standards of the PBS by eventually favoring monetary interests to keep itself alive. One of the benefits of an organization with guaranteed funding is that it doesn't need to change its activities to pander for money, and can focus on its actual published mission.

I am very skeptical PBS would, given time, retain any amount of the high quality programs they have produced (Frontline, American Experience, Washington Week, etc.). Just look at how TLC, Discovery Channel, History Channel have changed over time to chase profits. PBS would become nothing but Antique Roadshow and shows like American Pickers which are only tangentially related to past history. PBS tackles current issues in ways no other channel provides.

Re: Save PBS. It makes us safer

#17

Post by II2II »

helthanatos wrote: post #4

PBS doesn't have commercials? Because I'm pretty sure it does.

I think that the best answer to that is yes and no. Unless things have changed in recent years, they run what is effectively an advertisement about the funding companies or organization at the start and end of each program. They do not run advertisements related to products. It can be a fuzzy distinction in some cases, but the overall tone is very different in most.

Re: Save PBS. It makes us safer

#18

Post by gingerbread-man »

Outline of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's FY2014 budget: http://www.cpb.org/files/aboutcpb/financials/budget/FY2014-O...

Out of a total budget of $445m:

~66% (292m) is distributed via direct grants to local public television and radio stations.

~17% (74m) goes to television programming grants.

~7% (30m) goes to radio programming.

~11% (59m) goes to system support and administration.

Re: Save PBS. It makes us safer

#19

Post by sushisource »

jklinger410 wrote: post #14
richardjs wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

PBS has underwriting spots that are only shown between programs and are subject to more restrictions than commercials: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwriting_spot No programming is interrupted, and the only marketing content is typically something like "Brand Flakes is happy to support PBS".

They are commercials.

What? Care to back up your claim at all instead of just traipsing in and saying "no"? I watch PBS every day and they are most certainly not commercials as your parent comment says. They generally are 10 seconds at most, have maybe two sentences about the company, and show the logo. Usually one of those sentences is "Company xxx is proud to support PBS".
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