PBS

The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial,[7][8][9] free-to-air television network[10][11][12][13] based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded[14] nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educational programming to public television stations in the United States, distributing shows such as Frontline, Nova, PBS NewsHour, Sesame Street, and This Old House.[15]

Public Broadcasting Service
Type
BrandingPBS
Country
Availability
  • Nationwide U.S.
  • Canada
  • Northern Mexico (OTA only)
FoundedNovember 3, 1969 (1969-11-03)
by
  • Hartford N. Gunn Jr.
  • John Macy
  • James Day
  • Kenneth A. Christiansen
HeadquartersCrystal City, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
OwnerPBS's member public television stations[1]
Key people
  • Paula Kerger (President and CEO)
  • Jonathan Barzilay (COO)
Launch date
October 5, 1970 (1970-10-05)
Picture format
  • HDTV 1080i
  • (some stations transmit PBS programming in 720p or 1080p via ATSC 3.0 in some markets)
AffiliatesList of member stations
Official website
www.pbs.org
ReplacedNational Educational Television (1952–1970)

PBS is funded by a combination of member station dues, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, pledge drives, and donations from both private foundations and individual citizens. All proposed funding for programming is subject to a set of standards to ensure the program is free of influence from the funding source.[16] PBS has over 350 member television stations, many owned by educational institutions, nonprofit groups both independent or affiliated with one particular local public school district or collegiate educational institution, or entities owned by or related to state government.[6]

History

Former PBS headquarters in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia

PBS was established on November 3, 1969, by Hartford N. Gunn Jr. (president of WGBH), John Macy (president of CPB), James Day (last president of National Educational Television), and Kenneth A. Christiansen (chairman of the department of broadcasting at the University of Florida).[17]

It began operations on October 5, 1970, taking over many of the functions of its predecessor, National Educational Television (NET), which later merged with Newark, New Jersey station WNDT to form WNET. In 1973, it merged with Educational Television Stations.[18][19][20]

Immediately after public disclosure of the Watergate scandal, on May 17, 1973, the United States Senate Watergate Committee commenced proceedings; PBS broadcast the proceedings nationwide, with Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer as commentators. Although all of the Big Three TV Networks ran coverage of the hearings, PBS re-broadcast them on prime time.[21] For seven months, nightly "gavel-to-gavel" broadcasts drew great public interest, and raised the profile of the fledgling PBS network.[22]

In 2019, PBS announced plans to move its headquarters to another building in the Crystal Gateway complex, while remaining in Crystal City, Virginia, and did so in 2020, which included a top building sign visible off the Richmond Highway.[23][24][25]

As of 2020, PBS has nearly 350 member stations around the nation.[25]

Operations

Even with its status as a non-profit[26][27][28] & educational television network, PBS engages in program distribution,[29] providing television content and related services to its member stations, each of which together cooperatively owns the network.[30] Unlike the affiliates for commercial TV networks, each non-profit PBS member station is charged with the responsibility of programming local content such as news, interviews, cultural, and public affairs programs for its individual market or state that supplements content provided by PBS and other public television distributors.

In a commercial broadcast television network structure, affiliates give up portions of their local advertising airtime in exchange for carrying network programming, and the network pays its affiliates a share of the revenue it earns from advertising. By contrast, PBS member stations pay fees for the shows acquired and distributed by the national organization. Under this relationship, PBS member stations have greater latitude in local scheduling than their commercial broadcasting counterparts. Scheduling of PBS-distributed series may vary greatly depending on the market. This can be a source of tension as stations seek to preserve their localism, and PBS strives to market a consistent national lineup. However, PBS has a policy of "common carriage", which requires most stations to clear the national prime time programs on a common programming schedule to market them nationally more effectively. Management at former Los Angeles member KCET cited unresolvable financial and programming disputes among its major reasons for leaving PBS after over 40 years in January 2011, although it would return to PBS in 2019.[31]

Although PBS has a set schedule of programming, particularly in regard to its prime time schedule, member stations reserve the right to schedule PBS-distributed programming in other time slots or not clear it at all if they choose to do so; few of the service's members carry all its programming. Most PBS stations timeshift some distributed programs. Once PBS accepts a program offered for distribution, PBS, rather than the originating member station, retains exclusive rebroadcasting rights during an agreed period. Suppliers, however, retain the right to sell the program's intellectual property in non-broadcast media such as DVDs, books, and sometimes PBS-licensed merchandise.

In 1991, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting resumed funding for most PBS shows that debuted prior to 1977, with the exceptions of Washington Week in Review and Wall Street Week (CPB resumed funding of Washington Week in 1997).

In 1994, The Chronicle of Philanthropy released the results of the largest study on the popularity and credibility of charitable and non-profit organizations. PBS ranked as the 11th "most popular charity/non-profit in America" from over 100 charities researched in the study conducted by the industry publication, with 38.2% of Americans over the age of 12 choosing "love" and "like a lot" for PBS.[32][33][34][35]

Since the mid-2000s, Roper Opinion Research polls commissioned by PBS have consistently placed the service as the most-trusted national institution in the United States.[5][36] A 20162017 study by Nielsen Media Research found 80% of all US television households view the network's programs over the course of a year.[2] However, PBS is not responsible for all programming carried on public television stations, a large proportion of which may come from its member stations—including WGBH-TV, WETA-TV, WNET, WTTW, WHYY-TV, Twin Cities PBS—American Public Television, and independent producers. This distinction regarding the origin of different programs on the service presents a frequent source of viewer confusion.[37]

In December 2009, PBS signed up for the Nielsen ratings audience measurement reports, and began to be included in its primetime and daily "Television Index" reports, alongside the major commercial broadcast networks.[38] In May 2011, PBS announced that it would incorporate breaks containing underwriter spots for corporate and foundation sponsors, program promotions and identification spots within four breaks placed within episodes of Nature and NOVA, airing episodes broken up into segments of up to 15 minutes, rather than airing them as straight 50- to 55-minute episodes. The strategy began that fall, with the intent to expand the in-program breaks to the remainder of the schedule if successful.[39]

In 2011, PBS released apps for iOS and Android to allow viewing of full-length videos on mobile devices.[40] Vern Seward of The Mac Observer calls the PBS iPad App, "...cool on so many levels."[41] An update in 2015 added Chromecast support.[42]

"PBS UK" was launched as a paid subscription channel in the United Kingdom on 1 November 2011, featuring American documentary programming sourced from PBS. Better identifying it's subject matter, this channel was renamed "PBS America" on 4 July 2012. The channel has subsequently become available in other parts of Europe and Australia.

On February 28, 2012, PBS partnered with AOL to launch Makers: Women Who Make America, a digital documentary series focusing on high-achieving women in male-dominated industries such as war, comedy, space, business, Hollywood and politics.[43][44]

PBS initially struggled to compete with online media such as YouTube for market share. In a 2012 speech to 850 top executives from PBS stations, Senior Vice President of Digital Jason Seiken warned that PBS was in danger of being disrupted by YouTube studios such as Maker Studios. In the speech, later described as a "seminal moment" for public television,[45] he laid out his vision for a new style of PBS digital video production. Station leadership rallied around his vision and Seiken formed PBS Digital Studios, which began producing educational but edgy videos, something Seiken called "PBS-quality with a YouTube sensibility".[46] The studio's first hit, an auto-tuned version of the theme from one of their most famous television programs, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, was one of YouTube's 10 most viral videos of 2012.[47] By 2013, monthly video views on PBS.org had risen from 2 million to a quarter-billion, PBS.org traffic had surpassed that of the CBS, NBC, and ABC web sites, PBSKids.org had become the dominant US children's site for video, and PBS had won more 2013 Webby Awards than any other media company in the world.[48]

On May 8, 2013, full-length episodes of PBS' prime time, news and children's programs were made available through the Roku streaming player; programming is available on Roku as separate streaming channels for "PBS" and "PBS KIDS" content.[49] Some content is only available with a PBS Passport member benefit subscription.[50]

On July 1, 2016, Amazon Prime Video and PBS Distribution entered into a multi-year agreement which saw several PBS Kids series on other streaming services move to Amazon Prime Video.[51]

PBS Distribution partnered with MultiChoice to launch PBS KIDS on May 22, 2019 on DStv and GOtv subscription platforms across its Sub-Saharan Africa footprint.[52] In mid-2021, PBS Distribution added the channel to Australia's Foxtel subscription platform.[53]

On August 4, 2020 the Amazon Prime Video platform added a "PBS Documentaries" package.[54] As of that time it offered four separately-subscribable selections of PBS programming in the United States, "PBS Documentaries," "PBS Living" (also on Apple TV), "PBS Masterpiece" (also in Canada) and "PBS KIDS".[55] In the UK, a "PBS America" package is available on Amazon Prime Video.[56]

July 1, 2021 saw a PBS "Julia Child" channel added to Pluto TV in the United States.[57]

Programming

The evening and primetime schedule on PBS features a diverse array of programming including fine arts (Great Performances); drama (Masterpiece, Downton Abbey, American Family: Journey of Dreams); science (Nova, Nature); history (American Experience, American Masters, History Detectives, Antiques Roadshow); music (Austin City Limits, Soundstage); public affairs (Frontline, PBS NewsHour, Washington Week, Nightly Business Report); independent films and documentaries (P.O.V., Independent Lens); home improvement (This Old House); and interviews (Amanpour & Company, Tavis Smiley, The Dick Cavett Show). In 2012, PBS began organizing much of its prime time programming around a genre-based schedule (for example, drama series encompass the Sunday schedule, while science-related programs are featured on Wednesdays).

PBS broadcasts children's programming as part of the service's (and including content supplied by other distributors not programmed by the service, its member stations') morning and afternoon schedule. As the children's programs it distributes are intended to educate as well as entertain its target audience, PBS and its stations have long been in compliance with educational programming guidelines set by the Federal Communications Commission in response to the enactment of the Children's Television Act of 1990. Many member stations have historically also broadcast distance education and other instructional television programs, typically during daytime slots; though with the advent of digital television, which has allowed stations to carry these programs on digital subchannels in lieu of the main PBS feed or exclusively over online, many member stations/networks have replaced distance education content with children's and other programming.

Unlike its radio counterpart, National Public Radio, PBS does not have a central program production arm or news division. All of the programming carried by PBS, whether news, documentary or entertainment, is created by (or in most cases produced under contract with) other parties, such as individual member stations. Boston member WGBH-TV is one of the largest producers of educational television programming, including shows like American Experience, Arthur (with Canada-based CINAR), Masterpiece Theatre, Nova, Antiques Roadshow and Frontline, as well as many other children's and lifestyle programs. News programs are produced by WETA-TV (PBS Newshour) in Washington, D.C., WNET in New York City and WPBT in Miami. Newark, New Jersey/New York City member WNET produces or distributes programs such as Secrets of the Dead, Nature, and Cyberchase. PBS also works with other networks for programming such as CNN International for Amanpour & Company which is a co-production of CNN International and WNET.

PBS member stations are known for rebroadcasting British television costume dramas, comedies and science fiction programs (acquired from the BBC and other sources) such as Downton Abbey; 'Allo 'Allo!; Are You Being Served?; The Benny Hill Show, Red Dwarf; The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin; Father Ted; Fawlty Towers; Harry Enfield and Chums; Keeping Up Appearances; Monty Python's Flying Circus; Mr. Bean, The Vicar of Dibley, the original run of Doctor Who, and Sherlock; consequently, this has led to jocular references that the service's name stands for "Primarily British Series". However, a significant amount of sharing takes place. The BBC and British broadcasters such as Channel 4 often cooperate with PBS stations, producing material that is shown on both sides of the Atlantic. Less frequently, Canadian, Australian and other international programming appears on PBS stations (such as The Red Green Show, currently distributed by syndicator Executive Program Services); public broadcasting syndicators are more likely to offer this programming to U.S.-based public television stations.

PBS is not the only distributor of public television programming to the member stations. Other distributors have emerged from the roots of companies that maintained loosely held regional public television stations in the 1960s. Boston-based American Public Television (which, among other names, was formerly known as Eastern Educational Network and the American Program Service) is second only to PBS for distributing programs to U.S. non-commercial stations. Another distributor is NETA (formerly SECA), whose properties have included The Shapies and Jerry Yarnell School of Fine Art. In addition, the member stations themselves also produce a variety of local shows, some of which subsequently receive national distribution through PBS or other distributors.

Rerun programming, especially domestic programming not originally produced for public television, is generally uncommon on PBS or its member stations. The most prominent exception to this is The Lawrence Welk Show, which has aired continuously in reruns on PBS (through the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority) almost every weekend since 1986. Reruns of programs originally produced for public television are common, especially with former PBS shows whose hosts have retired or died (for example, The Joy of Painting and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood). Children's programming (such as Clifford the Big Red Dog and DragonflyTV, the latter of which is also syndicated on commercial television) is rerun extensively. Since 2020, PBS has served as the over-the-air home to select specials from the Peanuts library, under sublicense from Apple.[58]

PBS Kids

Launched as PTV on July 11, 1994, PBS Kids is the brand for children's programs aired by PBS. The PBS Kids Channel, launched in 1999 and operated until 2005, was largely funded by satellite provider DirecTV. The channel ceased operations on September 26, 2005, in favor of PBS Kids Sprout, a commercial digital cable and satellite television channel originally operated as a joint venture with Comcast, Sesame Workshop and Apax Partners (NBCUniversal, which Comcast acquired in 2011, later acquired the other partners' interests in the channel in 2012). However, the original programming block still exists on PBS, filling daytime and in some cases, weekend morning schedules on its member stations; many members also carry 24-hour locally programmed children's networks featuring PBS Kids content on one of their digital subchannels. A revived version of the PBS Kids Channel was launched on January 16, 2017. As of 2019, PBS Kids is the only children's programming block on U.S. broadcast television.

As PBS is often known for doing, PBS Kids has broadcast imported series from other countries; these include British series originally broadcast by the BBC and ITV. Through American Public Television, many PBS stations also began airing the Australian series Raggs on June 4, 2007. Some of the programs broadcast as part of the service's children's lineup or through public broadcast syndication directly to its members have subsequently been syndicated to commercial television outlets (such as Ghostwriter and The Magic School Bus).

Sports

Many PBS member stations and networks—including Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MHSAA), Georgia Public Broadcasting (GHSA), Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPA), Iowa PBS (IGHSAU), Nebraska Public Media (NSAA), and WKYU-TV (Western Kentucky Hilltoppers)—locally broadcast high school and college sports. From the 1980s onward, the national PBS network has not typically carried sporting events, mainly because the broadcast rights to most sporting events have become more cost-prohibitive in that timeframe, especially for nonprofits with limited revenue potential; in addition, starting with the respective launches of the MountainWest Sports Network (now defunct) and Big Ten Network in 2006 and 2007 and the later launches of the Pac-12 Network and ESPN's SEC Network and ACC Network, athletic conferences have acquired rights for all of their member university's sports programs for their cable channels, restricting their use from PBS member stations, even those associated with their own universities.

From 1976 to 1989, KQED produced a series of Bundesliga matches under the banner Soccer Made in Germany, with Toby Charles announcing. PBS also carried tennis events, as well as Ivy League football. Notable football commentators included Upton Bell, Marty Glickman, Bob Casciola, Brian Dowling, Sean McDonough and Jack Corrigan.[59] Other sports programs included interview series such as The Way It Was and The Sporting Life.[60]

Governance

The board of directors is responsible for governing and setting policy for PBS, consisting of 27 members: 14 professional directors (station managers), 12 general directors (outside directors), and the PBS president.[61] All PBS Board members serve three-year terms, without pay.[61] PBS member stations elect the 14 professional directors; the board elects the 12 general directors and appoints the PBS president and CEO; and the entire board elects its officers.[62]

Member stations

As of March 2015, PBS maintains current memberships with 354 television stations encompassing 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. possessions;[6][63] as such, it is the only television broadcaster in the United States—commercial or non-commercial—which has station partners licensed in every U.S. state (by comparison, none of the five major commercial broadcast networks has affiliates in certain states where PBS has members, most notably New Jersey). The service has an estimated national reach of 93.74% of all households in the United States (or 292,926,047 Americans with at least one television set).

PBS stations are commonly operated by nonprofit organizations, state agencies, local authorities (such as municipal boards of education), or universities in their city of license; this is similar (albeit more centralized in states where a licensee owns multiple stations rebroadcasting the main PBS member) to the early model of commercial broadcasting in the U.S., in which network-affiliated stations were initially owned by companies that owned few to no other television stations elsewhere in the country. In some U.S. states, a group of PBS stations throughout the entire state may be organized into a single regional "subnetwork" (such as Alabama Public Television and Arkansas PBS); in this model, PBS programming and other content is distributed by the originating station in the subnetwork to other full-power stations that serve as satellites as well as any low-power translators in other areas of the state. Some states may be served by such a regional network and simultaneously have PBS member stations in a certain city (such as the case with secondary member KBDI-TV in Denver, which is not related to Colorado member network Rocky Mountain PBS and its flagship station and primary Denver PBS member, KRMA-TV) that operate autonomously from the regional member network.

As opposed to the present commercial broadcasting model in which network programs are often carried exclusively on one television station in a given market, PBS may maintain more than one member station in certain markets, which may be owned by the licensee of the market's primary PBS member station or owned by a separate licensee (as a prime example, KOCE-TV, KLCS and KVCR-DT—which are all individually owned—serve as PBS stations for the Los Angeles market; KCET served as the market's primary PBS member until it left the service in January 2011,[64] at which time it was replaced by KOCE). KCET rejoined PBS in 2019, thus giving the Los Angeles area four different member stations.

For these cases, PBS utilizes the Program Differentiation Plan, which divides by percentage the number of programs distributed by the service that each member can carry on their schedule; often, this assigns a larger proportion of PBS-distributed programming to the primary member station, with the secondary members being allowed to carry a lesser number of program offerings from the service's schedule. Unlike public broadcasters in most other countries, PBS cannot own any of the stations that broadcasts its programming; therefore it is one of the few television programming bodies that does not have any owned-and-operated stations. This is partly due to the origins of the PBS stations themselves, and partly due to historical broadcast license issues.

Participating stations

Most PBS member stations have produced at least some nationally distributed programs. Current regularly scheduled programming on the PBS national feed is produced by a smaller group of stations, including:

  • WGBH-TV (Arthur, NOVA, Masterpiece, Frontline, Martha Speaks, Peep and the Big Wide World, Curious George, Lidia's Kitchen, Design Squad, Jamie Oliver, etc.)
  • WNET (Nature, PBS NewsHour Weekend, Cyberchase, Amanpour & Company, Wishbone etc.)
  • WETA-TV (PBS NewsHour, Washington Week, A Capitol Fourth (annually), America's Test Kitchen, This Old House, Pati's Mexican Table, BBC World News, etc.)
  • WTTW (Nature Cat, WordWorld, Kidsongs)
  • Maryland Public Television (MotorWeek, Space Racers, Wimzie's House, Zoboomafoo)
  • Connecticut Public Television (Barney & Friends, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, etc.)
  • KLRU (Austin City Limits)
  • KCET (Sid the Science Kid, Lost L.A.)
  • KQED (The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, Yan Can Cook: Spice Kingdom)
  • Oregon Public Broadcasting (History Detectives, Rick Steves' Europe (season 10))
  • PBS North Carolina (The Woodwright's Shop)
  • South Carolina ETV (The Magic School Bus, A Chef's Life)
  • WXXI-TV (Biz Kid$)
  • WQED (Mister Rogers' Neighborhood)
  • Twin Cities PBS (KTCA-TV/KTCI-TV) (Newton's Apple, SciGirls, Hero Elementary)
  • KCTS-TV (Rick Steves' Europe)
  • Arkansas PBS (State of the Art)
  • WYES-TV (Kevin Belton)

The shows that were produced by Connecticut Public Television from 1994 to 2006 are now produced by WNET as of 2006 including Bob the Builder (2015 TV series).

PBS networks

NetworkNotes

PBS Kids
A programming block that provides children's television series. The block was formerly called PTV Park. Launched as a 24/7 network in 1999 that was dissolved in 2005 and subsequently revived in 2017.

PBS Kids Go!
A former programming block of PBS Kids, running from 2004 to 2013; however, branding and promotions can still be seen on some programs. This block was for 6-13-year-olds. A 24/7 network was announced in 2006 but never launched due to financial issues.

PBS Kids Preschool Block
A former programming block of PBS Kids, running from 2006 to 2013. This block was aimed for preschoolers ages 2-5.
Note: This is the first time the PBS Kids boy was officially named "Dash".

PBS Kids Family Night
A Friday nighttime programming block airing on the PBS Kids 24/7 network since 2017. It is aimed for families to watch any PBS Kids series at nighttime.
PBS Satellite ServiceA 24-hour alternate network feed that provides a mixed variety of programming selected from the main PBS service, as well as for carriage on programming tiers of satellite providers.

PBS has spun off a number of television networks, often in partnership with other media companies. PBS YOU, a distance education and how-to service operated until January 2006, and was largely succeeded by Create (a similarly formatted network owned by American Public Television); PBS Kids Channel was superseded by Sprout at the start of October 2005. The PBS Kids Channel relaunched January 16, 2017. World began operations in 2007 as a service operated by PBS but is now managed by American Public Television.

PBS has also restructured its satellite feed system, simplifying HD02 (PBS West) into a timeshift feed for the Pacific Time Zone, rather than a high-definition complement to its formerly primary SD feed. PBS Kids Go! was proposed as a replacement broadcast network for PBS Kids Channel; however, plans to launch the network were folded in 2006. Programming from the PBS Satellite Service has also been carried by certain member stations or regional member networks to fill their overnight schedules (particularly those that have transitioned to a 24-hour schedule since the late 1990s), in lieu of providing programming sourced from outside public television distributors or repeats of local programming (program promotions shown on the satellite feed advertise upcoming programs as being aired on PBS during the timeslot card normally used as a placeholder for member outlets to insert local airtime information).

Some or all of these services are available on a digital cable tier of many cable providers, on a free-to-air (FTA) satellite receiver receiving from PBS Satellite Service, as well as via subscription-based direct broadcast satellite providers. With the exception of Sprout, some of these services, including those from PBS member stations and networks, have not made contracts with Internet-distributed over-the-top MVPD services such as Sling TV and the now defunct PlayStation Vue. With the transition to over-the-air digital television broadcasts, many of the services are also often now available as standard-definition multicast channels on the digital signals of some member stations, while HD02 (PBS West) serves as a secondary HD feed. With the absence of advertising, network identification on these PBS networks was limited to utilization at the end of the program, which includes the standard series of bumpers from the "Be More" campaign.

At the summer 2019 Television Critics Association press tour day for PBS on July 29, 2019, it was announced that MVPD YouTube TV would begin to carry PBS programming and member stations in the fall of 2019. Member stations have the choice of having their traditional channel on the service with its full programming schedule received by Google over-the-air and uploaded to the service, a YouTube TV-only feed provided by the station with some programming substitutions due to lack of digital rights, or a PBS-provided feed with limited localization, though with no local programming or pledge drive programming.[65]

On September 3, 2020, PBS began to offer a livestream of their member stations for free via its website (as well as the websites from the member stations), on smart TVs, and on their mobile apps. However, only a small handful of stations currently do not have a livestream of their stations set up.[66]

Independent networks

While not operated or controlled by PBS proper, additional public broadcasting networks are available and carried by PBS member stations.

ChannelProgrammingOrigin
CreateEducational and artistic programmingAmerican Public Television
WorldNews and documentaries
First Nations ExperienceIndigenous programmingSan Bernardino Community College District

From 2002 to 2011, Buffalo, New York member station WNED-TV operated ThinkBright TV, a service that was carried on several stations in upstate New York. Several state networks also offer a public affairs subchannel network offering full-time coverage of state government events and legislative/judicial proceedings in the same vein as C-SPAN's coverage of the federal government. Many PBS stations also carried MHz Worldview from the MHz Networks until 2020 when MHz Networks announced its discontinuation of the network on March 1, 2020. Since then, many stations has switched to World Channel as well as First Nations Experience.

A separate but related concept is the state network, where a group of stations across a state simulcast a single programming schedule from a central facility, which may include specialty subchannels unique to that broadcaster.

Visual identity

PBS's second logo, the first iteration to include the "P-Head" element.
PBS's third logo, as used from 1984 to 2019. The logo pictured is the 2002 version.

PBS introduced its first iconographic logo in 1971, a multi-colored wordmark of the network's initials with the P designed to resemble a silhouette of a human face. The logo was designed by Ernie Smith and Herb Lubalin of the Lubalin Smith Carnase design firm.[67][68] Lubalin's human face "P", known internally at PBS as "Everyman", but more commonly known as the "P-Head", became the basis for all subsequent PBS logos.[69]

In 1984, PBS introduced a new version of the logo, designed by Tom Geismar of Chermayeff & Geismar.[70] Chermayeff & Geismar felt that the Lubalin-designed logo was too similar to those of the three dominant commercial networks of the time, and they sought "to develop a symbol that could stand for the more inclusive concept of 'public television'". They inverted Lubalin's Everyman "P" to face to the right instead of the left, and repeated the outline as a series to represent a "multitude" of people. The symbol was subsequently renamed "Everyone".[69] The repeated outline of the face has also been interpreted to suggest a degree of multiculturalism, as well as the public service aspect of the PBS mission.[71]

The logo has been used in various forms since: from 1998 onward, the Geismar logo has been rendered in white on a circle.[69]

On November 4, 2019, in honor of the network's 50th anniversary, PBS unveiled a revamped brand identity by Lippincott, intended to be better-suited for use on digital platforms. The Geismar logo was tweaked, a new custom sans-serif typeface was commissioned for the logo and other branding elements (which replaces the slab serif typeface used in the PBS logo since 1984), and electric blue and white were adopted as corporate colors.[72][73] The network is allowing flexibility in implementation, but is no longer allowing the logo to be displayed independently of the PBS name. Upon the launch of the new logo, some members rebranded themselves to include PBS in their name for the first time, such as Wisconsin Public Television rebranding as PBS Wisconsin.[73][74] PBS is paying out grants to at least 100 members to cover costs associated with the rebranding.[73]

Reception

Critical response

PBS has been praised by critics for its variety of programming.[75] Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter marked PBS' airing of Downton Abbey as a turning point for the network's reputation and program variety.[76] Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "It's PBS's time to shine."[77] Stevenonymous of BuzzFeed wrote, "PBS isn't just TV anymore."[78] David Zurawik of The Baltimore Sun wrote, "If you want a reason to believe in PBS...here it is."[79] Mekeisha Madden Toby of TheWrap wrote, "There is a lot to love...on PBS."[80] Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "PBS...is an endless bounty of riches...Ain't this great?"[76] Kristen McQuinn of Book Riot wrote, "PBS is awesome in every way."[81] Caroline Framke of Variety wrote, "There's still no beating PBS."[75] Alyssa Rosenburg of The Washington Post wrote, "PBS is a unifying thread...through our cultural fabric."[82] Margaret Renkl of The New York Times wrote, "By aiming to unite...PBS might save us yet."[83] Margie Barron of Entertainment Today wrote, "PBS remains a beacon...that inspires."[84] The Marketing & Research Resources survey, said that PBS is the "#1 most trusted media 19 years in a row."[85] Matt Roush of TV Insider wrote, "PBS is and always has been a bright light."[86]

On-air fundraising

Since 53% to 60% of public television's revenues come from private membership donations and grants,[87] most stations solicit individual donations by methods including fundraising, pledge drives or telethons, which disrupt regularly scheduled programming. This has been perceived as potentially annoying since regularly scheduled programming is often replaced with specials aimed at a wider audience (such as music specials aimed at the Baby Boomer generation and financial, health and motivational programs) to solicit new members and donations; during fundraising events, these programs are often interrupted within the broadcast by long-form segments (of six to eight minutes in length) encouraging viewers to donate to their PBS member.[88] Underwriting spots are aired at the end of each program, which differ from traditional commercials in several ways.[89] Each spot must be approved to meet several guidelines.[90] The main guidelines state that underwriting spots cannot be qualitative in any way, nor can they have any call to action.[91]

Controversies

Accusations of political/ideological bias

A 1982 broadcast of the United States Information Agency program Let Poland be Poland about the martial law declared in Poland in 1981 was widely viewed in the U.S., but met with skepticism on the part of eastern European broadcasters (communist countries at the time) due to concerns that the program's "provocative and anticommunist" tone was intended as propaganda.[92][93]

In 1999, at least three public television stations were caught selling or trading their mailing lists with the Democratic National Committee. Under IRS regulations, nonprofit organizations are prohibited from participating in political actions. Officials from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting condemned the practice and conducted an investigation into the matter. The stations involved were in New York, Boston, and Washington.[94]

Individual programs aired by PBS have been the targets of organized campaigns by individuals and groups with opposing views, including by former United States Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings in 2005.[95]

Nonetheless, in every year since 2004, surveys of Americans have shown PBS to have been consistently ranked as the most trusted institution in comparison to commercial broadcast and cable television, newspapers, and streaming services, and in January 2021, Americans valued tax dollars spent on PBS behind only military defense and oversight of food and drug safety.[96]

Accusations during Tomlinson tenure

In September 2003, Kenneth Tomlinson was chosen as chairman of the CPB board.[97] He criticized PBS and NPR for an allegedly "liberal bias".[98] His efforts sparked complaints of political pressure.[99]

To partially balance out the perceived left-leaning PBS shows, from June 2004 to July 2005, PBS aired Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, and from September 2004 to December 2005, PBS aired The Journal Editorial Report with Paul Gigot, a conservative editor of The Wall Street Journal editorial page.[100] In December 2004, Bill Moyers resigned as a PBS regular, citing political pressure to alter the content of his program, and saying Tomlinson had mounted a "vendetta" against him.[101]

In May 2005, two House Democrats requested the CPB inspector general investigate the complaints of political interference.[102] The inspector general's report was issued in November 2005 and described possible political influence on personnel decisions, including e-mail correspondence between Tomlinson and the White House which indicated that Tomlinson "was strongly motivated by political considerations in filling the president/CEO position", a position filled in June 2005 by former Republican National Committee co-chair Patricia Harrison.[103] Tomlinson resigned from the CPB board on November 3, 2005.[104]

Accusations since the Tomlinson tenure

In January 2021, Michael Beller, the chief attorney for PBS resigned after being caught on tape suggesting that the children of Donald Trump supporters should be sent to re-education camps.[105]

Lawsuit with Pacific Arts

In the 1990s, PBS became involved in a dispute over home video licensing rights with Pacific Arts Corporation, a multimedia company owned and operated by former Monkees guitarist Michael Nesmith.

In 1990, Pacific Arts secured a contract with PBS to distribute their back catalog of programming on VHS under the PBS Home Video banner. However, in the early 1990s, Pacific Arts and PBS went through a series of serious disagreements. Lawsuits were filed: by Nesmith and Pacific Arts against PBS for breach of contract, intentional misrepresentation, intentional concealment, negligent misrepresentation, and interference with contract; and by PBS against Nesmith and Pacific Arts for lost royalties.[106] The lawsuits escalated in 1994 and 1995 into major litigation between the parties over these rights and payments. PBS and Nesmith and Pacific Arts vigorously prosecuted these multimillion-dollar counter-suits.

The six plaintiffs included PBS, WGBH-TV, WNET, the Ken Burns-owned American Documentaries and Radio Pioneers Film Project and the Children's Television Workshop. They sought approximately $5 million in disputed royalties, advances, guarantees and license fees for programs and the use of the PBS logo from the defendants Pacific Arts and Nesmith.

Due to the cost of the litigation, Pacific Arts was forced to cease distribution operations and suspended the use of the PBS logo on the Pacific Arts videos.[106] Though Pacific Arts distribution system had ceased operating, the various plaintiffs were counting on capturing a personal financial guarantee Nesmith had made to PBS in the original PBS deal in 1990.

The cases went to jury trial in Federal Court in Los Angeles in February 1999. After three days of deliberation, the jury unanimously sided with Nesmith.[107] The court awarded Pacific Arts $14,625,000 for loss of its rights library, plus $29,250,000 in punitive damages. The jury awarded $3 million to Nesmith personally, including $2 million in punitive damages for a total award to Nesmith and Pacific Arts of $48,875,000. The jury resolved the outstanding license fee issues by ordering Pacific Arts and Nesmith to pay approximately $1.2 million to American Documentaries for The Civil War, about $230,000 to WGBH-TV, and $150,000 to WNET.[106]

Following the ruling, Nesmith expressed his personal disappointment with PBS and was quoted by BBC News as stating "It's like finding your grandmother stealing your stereo. You're happy to get your stereo back, but it's sad to find out your grandmother is a thief."[108]

The decision never went to an appeals court and the final amount paid to Pacific Arts and Nesmith was an undisclosed sum agreed to in an out-of-court settlement.

Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN)

PBS provides an alternate path for Wireless Emergency Alerts to wireless carriers through its Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN). The alerts are transmitted through the PBS satellite network on the AMC-21 satellite to PBS stations, who then broadcast the messages over their transmitters for reception by wireless carriers at their cell sites.[109][110]

The WARN network is funded by a grant through National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).[109]

See also

  • American Public Media
  • List of United States over-the-air television networks
  • PBS America
  • Public Radio International
  • Public, educational, and government access (PEG)
  • Television in the United States

Similar public broadcasting services

References

  1. "CPB FAQ". www.cpb.org. January 6, 2016. PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise owned by its member public television stations.
  2. "About PBS - Overview". PBS. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  3. "About PBS - Leadership Team". PBS. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  4. Boyer, Peter J. (January 3, 1986). "Hartford N. Gunn Jr. is Dead; Public Broadcasting Founder". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  5. "15 Years As America's Most Trusted Institution" (PDF). PBS. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 11, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  6. "Network Profile: PBS". Station Index. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  7. "Mission & Values". About PBS - Main. PBS is a private, nonprofit corporation, founded in 1969, whose members are America’s public TV stations -- noncommercial, educational licensees that operate more than 330 PBS member stations and serve all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa.
  8. "Public Broadcasting Service | American organization | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), private, nonprofit American corporation whose members are the public television stations of the United States and its unincorporated territories.
  9. "CPB FAQ". www.cpb.org. January 6, 2016. PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise owned by its member public television stations.
  10. "Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) - USA TV Channel - MondoTimes.com". www.mondotimes.com. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a USA television network.
  11. "Tesla Memorial Society". www.teslamemorialsociety.org. "Tesla, Master of Lightning", New Voyage Communications for PBS Television Network, 2000, 90 minutes.
  12. "Ray Suarez". www.carnegiecouncil.org. Suarez joined the PBS NewsHour in 1999 and was a senior correspondent for the evening news program on the PBS television network until 2013.
  13. "PBS Television Broadcasts". INSIDE PEACE. We are pleased to announce the release of Inside Peace throughout the PBS television network in the United States.
  14. "Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting". Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  15. "All Shows - PBS". PBS. Archived from the original on May 15, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  16. "PBS Funding Standards". PBS. Archived from the original on May 20, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018. Public television is a major participant in the great tradition of a free and independent American press. To protect public television's journalistic integrity, PBS's funding standards are premised on core principles that ensure the complete editorial independence of producers from influence by underwriters. While funding and fundraising are necessary to support the development and production of content, producers must be free from the influence of funders. This firewall is essential to maintaining the public's trust.
  17. "Articles of Incorporation of Public Broadcasting Service". Current. January 14, 2000. Archived from the original on April 6, 2001. Retrieved January 12, 2008.
  18. Laurence Ariel Jarvik (1997). PBS, behind the screen. Rocklin, California: Forum. ISBN 0761506683.
  19. "Public TV Faces Fund Struggles". The Morning Record. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2013 via Google News.
  20. James Day (September 16, 1969). The Vanishing Vision: The Inside Story of Public Television. ISBN 9780520086593. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2013 via Google Books.
  21. Graff, Garrett M. (2022). Watergate: A New History (1 ed.). New York: Avid Reader Press. pp. 443-444. ISBN 978-1-9821-3916-2. OCLC 1260107112
  22. "'Gavel-to-Gavel': The Watergate Scandal and Public Television", American Archive of Public Broadcasting. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  23. "Sign Proposed for Top of New PBS Headquarters in Crystal City". ARLnow. September 9, 2020. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  24. Alex Koma, ed. (January 15, 2019). "PBS Agrees to Keep Headquarters in Crystal City, Plans to Relocate to New Building". ARLnow. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  25. Cara O'Donnell, ed. (January 30, 2019). "PBS Moves to New Crystal City HQ". Arlington Economic Development. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  26. "Mission & Values". About PBS - Main. PBS is a private, nonprofit corporation, founded in 1969, whose members are America’s public TV stations -- noncommercial, educational licensees that operate more than 330 PBS member stations and serve all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa.
  27. "Public Broadcasting Service | American organization | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), private, nonprofit American corporation whose members are the public television stations of the United States and its unincorporated territories.
  28. "CPB FAQ". www.cpb.org. January 6, 2016. PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise owned by its member public television stations.
  29. "CPB FAQ". www.cpb.org. January 6, 2016. PBS distributes programming to approximately 350 locally controlled and operated public television stations across the country and is funded principally by these member stations, distribution and underwriting.
  30. "CPB FAQ". www.cpb.org. January 6, 2016. PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise owned by its member public television stations.
  31. Scott Collins (October 8, 2010). "Los Angeles PBS affiliate KCET exits network fold to go independent". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  32. "The Charities Americans Like Most And Least". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. December 13, 1996.
  33. Karen S. Peterson (December 20, 1994). "Charity begins with health, Concern over diseases cited". USA Today (FINAL ed.). p. 01D.
  34. Laura Castaneda (December 13, 1994). "Survey helps firms choose charities". The Dallas Morning News (HOME FINAL ed.). A. H. Belo Corporation. p. 1D.
  35. Interview with Lavalle, September 7, 2009
  36. "PBS #1 in public trust for the sixth consecutive year, according to a national Roper survey". PBS (Press release). February 13, 2009. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  37. Michael Getler (May 15, 2008). "Caution: That Program May Not Be From PBS". PBS. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
  38. Bill Gorman (December 20, 2009). "PBS Signs Up For Nielsen Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 22, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  39. Elizabeth Jensen (May 30, 2011). "PBS Plans Promotional Breaks Within Programs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  40. "PBS Launches Free Full-Length Video App for iPhone and iPod touch and Antiques Roadshow Game App". PBS. January 7, 2011. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  41. Seward, Vern (October 29, 2010). "3 iPad Apps to Help Cut the Cable". The Mac Observer. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  42. King, Bertel Jr. (July 9, 2015). "PBS Video For Android Can Now Stream Full Episodes To Your Chromecast". Android Police. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  43. Dwyer, Kate (March 28, 2016). "How You Can Be in the Music Video for Michelle Obama's Song With Zendaya and Lea Michele" Archived March 2, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Teen Vogue.
  44. "AOL and PBS Announce 'MAKERS: WOMEN WHO MAKE AMERICA'" Archived August 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. PBS. February 28, 2012.
  45. "GMs take up PBS plan to expand web video output". Current.org. May 29, 2012. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  46. "Why PBS Autotuned Mr. Rogers - Digiday". Digiday. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  47. Laura Stampler (December 3, 2012). "The 20 Most Viral Ads Of 2012 - Business Insider". Business Insider. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  48. "How PBS Won at Digital - Digiday". Digiday. June 18, 2013. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  49. "Roku's PBS, PBS Kids channels go live, stream full episodes". CNET. CBS Corporation. May 8, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  50. Goldsmith, Jill (December 15, 2015). "PBS Passport serves up on-demand content for public TV's members". Current. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019.
  51. Gettell, Oliver (July 1, 2016). "'Daniel Tiger' and more PBS Kids shows leaving Netflix, Hulu". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  52. "More Children's Entertainment added to DStv and GOtv with the launch of PBS KIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa". Namibia Daily News. May 20, 2020. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  53. "FOXTEL expands family offering with two new dedicated kids channels - DreamWorks and PBS KIDS". TV Blackbox. June 25, 2021. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  54. "PBS to launch documentary streamer via Prime Video Channels in boost to Amazon". Digital TV Europe. July 29, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  55. "Watching PBS videos on other streaming services". PBS Help. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  56. "SVOD Channels". PBS Distribution. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  57. "PBS Distribution". www.facebook.com. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  58. "PBS to Broadcast Three Peanuts Specials This Holiday Season". PBS. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  59. Mark. "Penn Football Tapes 1980–1989". Letsgoquakers.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2002. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  60. "Jim Palmer jockeys from underwear to PBS". Houston Chronicle. April 17, 1985. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  61. PBS. "Board of Directors". PBS. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  62. PBS. "Donald A. Baer Elected Chair of PBS Board of Directors". PBS. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  63. "Stations for Network - PBS". RabbitEars.info. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  64. Peter Larsen (October 8, 2010). "KOCE takes over as top PBS station after KCET cuts ties with network". Orange County Register. Freedom Communications. Archived from the original on October 10, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  65. Goldsmith, Jill (July 29, 2019). "PBS forges deal with YouTube TV for localized live streams". Current. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  66. Gurwin, Jason (September 3, 2020). "PBS Launches Free Live Local Streaming of PBS Stations". The Streamable. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  67. Jennifer Dunning (April 4, 2004). "Ernie Smith, 79, Jazz and Dance Authority". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019. He worked at several advertising agencies in New York. Among them were Sudler & Hennessy and Lubalin, Smith & Carnase, where he developed a logo for PBS.
  68. Sandomir, Richard (March 23, 2018). "Lawrence K. Grossman, Head of PBS and Then NBC News, Dies at 86". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  69. Chermayeff, Ivan; Geismar, Tom; Haviv, Sagi (2011). Identify: Basic Principles of Identity Design in the Iconic Trademarks of Chermayeff & Geismar. F+W Media, Inc. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-4403-1032-4.
  70. Heller, Steven (December 14, 2003). "ART; A Laboratory for Sign Language". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  71. Gernsheimer, Jack (2008). Designing Logos: The Process of Creating Symbols that Endure. Allworth Press. p. 125. ISBN 978-1-58115-649-2. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  72. Smith, Lilly (November 4, 2019). "PBS's new brand is anything but radical—and that's the whole point". Fast Company. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  73. Goldsmith, Jill. "PBS begins rollout of electric-blue brand refresh". Current. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  74. "PBS Overhauls Logo For 2020". Mediapost.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  75. Framke, Caroline (August 1, 2018). "PBS: An Appreciation for the Vegetables of TV (Column)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  76. Goodman, Tim (July 29, 2016). "Tim Goodman's TCA Journal No. 3: A Love Letter to PBS". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  77. Goodman, Tim (July 22, 2012). "TCA 2012: It's PBS' Time to Shine (Analysis)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  78. Stevenonymous (August 23, 2013). "10 Reasons Why '90s Kids Should Still Love PBS". BuzzFeed Community. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  79. Zurawik, David (October 28, 2014). "Frontline offers harrowing, revealing look into ISIS tonight". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  80. Toby, Mekeisha Madden (September 27, 2015). "'Indian Summers' Review: PBS' New Period Piece is Soapy, Sexy Goodness". TheWrap. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  81. McQuinn, Kristen (August 7, 2017). "PBS is Searching for The Great American Book". Book Riot. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  82. Rosenburg, Alyssa (October 4, 2020). "Opinion | In 50 years of PBS programming, content for Americans of all classes and political views". The Washington Post.
  83. Renkl, Margaret (September 27, 2020). "Opinion | Happy Birthday, PBS. Please Save Us". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  84. Barron, Margie (August 4, 2020). "PBS' stellar lineup for 50th anniversary season announced at Zoom-friendly TCA press tour". Entertainment Today. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  85. "PBS and Member Stations Named "Most Trusted" Media Organization for 19 Consecutive Years". PBS. March 17, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  86. Roush, Matt (February 1, 2022). "Ask Matt: More Ghosts on 'Ghosts'?". TV Insider. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  87. "Public Broadcasting Revenue Fiscal Year 2005" (PDF). Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 15, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  88. Michael Getler (March 24, 2006). "Pledging Allegiance, or March Madness?". PBS Ombudsman. Archived from the original on April 8, 2006. Retrieved May 22, 2006.
  89. "PBS Guidelines for On-Air Announcements". PBS. Archived from the original on April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  90. "PBS Guidelines for On-Air Announcements". PBS. Archived from the original on April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  91. "Voice-Over Copy Guidelines". PBS. Archived from the original on September 23, 2003. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  92. "Let Poland Be Poland (1982, TV)". IMDb. January 31, 1982. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  93. Edward Eichler (April 25, 2008). "US Public Diplomacy in Hungary: Past and Present" (PDF). Public Diplomacy Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2009.
  94. SEELYE, KATHARINE Q. (July 17, 1999). "PBS Stations Shared Donor Lists With Democrats, Stirring Trouble". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  95. "Education chief rips PBS for gay character: Network won't distribute episode with animated 'Buster' visiting Vt". NBC News. Associated Press. January 26, 2005. Archived from the original on November 21, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  96. "PBS and Member Stations Voted 'Most Trusted' Institution for 18 Consecutive Years". PBS. February 2, 2021. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  97. Labaton, Stephen (November 4, 2005). "Broadcasting Ex-Chairman Is Removed From Board (Published 2005)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  98. Farhi, Paul (July 1, 2005). "CPB Liberal Bias Study Flawed, Critics Say". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  99. Stephen Labaton; Steven R. Weisman, New York Times, Nov 5, 2005, "Spending Inquiry For Top Official On Broadcasting" Archived April 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (subscription needed)
  100. "PBS: Back to bias basics". The Washington Times. News World Communications. May 4, 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  101. Paul Farhi (April 22, 2005). "PBS Scrutiny Raises Political Antennas". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  102. de Moraes, Lisa (May 13, 2005). "CPB's Inspector General to Pursue Probe of Chairman". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  103. "CNN - Report: Politics may have influenced former public broadcasting chief - Nov 15, 2005". CNN. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  104. Folkenflik, David (November 3, 2005). "Tomlinson Resigns from CPB Ahead of Report". NPR. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  105. White, Christopher (January 14, 2021). "PBS attorney resigns after saying Trump voters' children should face 're-education camps'". wcti12.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  106. Behrens, Steve. "Nesmith wins $47 million in video suit against PBS". The Current. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  107. Mifflin, Lawrie (February 3, 1999). "Jury Rules That PBS Must Pay Video Distributor $47 Million". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  108. "Hey, hey, it's a Monkee victory". BBC News. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  109. "WARN". PBS. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  110. "PBS WARN Information". YouTube. PBS. Archived from the original on January 24, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2013.

Further reading

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.