Public Broadcasting Service

Public Broadcasting Service
™/®Public Broadcasting ServiceDesigned by Lippincott · Public domain · source
Name	Public Broadcasting Service
Country	United States
Launch	November 3, 1969
Founder	John Macy, Hartford Gunn, Av Westin
Area	United States
Owner	Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Key people	Paula Kerger, Amanda Byrd

Public Broadcasting Service is a non-profit public broadcaster that operates a network of member stations, including WGBH, WNET, KQED, and WETA. The organization is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and is funded by a combination of Corporation for Public Broadcasting grants, private donations, and National Endowment for the Arts funding. The Public Broadcasting Service has a long history of producing and broadcasting high-quality programming, including Sesame Street, Nova, and Frontline, in partnership with BBC, PBS Kids, and Independent Television Service. The organization has also collaborated with other notable broadcasters, such as NPR, American Public Media, and CBC.

● History

The Public Broadcasting Service was established on November 3, 1969, with the signing of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The organization's early years were marked by the leadership of John Macy, who served as the first president of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Public Broadcasting Service began broadcasting in 1970, with a lineup of programming that included Sesame Street, Masterpiece Theatre, and Washington Week in Review, produced in partnership with WGBH, WNET, and KQED. Over the years, the organization has expanded its reach and programming, including the launch of PBS Kids in 1994, and the introduction of PBS HD in 2000, with support from National Association of Broadcasters and Consumer Technology Association. The Public Broadcasting Service has also partnered with other organizations, such as National Geographic Society, Smithsonian Institution, and Library of Congress, to produce and broadcast a wide range of programming, including Nature, American Experience, and Antiques Roadshow.

● Governance and Funding

The Public Broadcasting Service is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from member stations, as well as independent directors, such as Amanda Byrd and Robert Altman. The organization is funded by a combination of Corporation for Public Broadcasting grants, private donations, and National Endowment for the Arts funding, as well as support from Ford Foundation, Gates Foundation, and Knight Foundation. The Public Broadcasting Service also receives funding from member stations, such as WGBH, WNET, and KQED, which are supported by NPR, American Public Media, and PBS Kids. The organization has also partnered with other notable organizations, such as BBC, CBC, and Australian Broadcasting Corporation, to produce and broadcast programming, including Downton Abbey, Sherlock, and Call the Midwife.

● Programming

The Public Broadcasting Service produces and broadcasts a wide range of programming, including Sesame Street, Nova, and Frontline, in partnership with WGBH, WNET, and KQED. The organization also broadcasts programming from other producers, such as BBC, PBS Kids, and Independent Television Service, including Downton Abbey, Sherlock, and Call the Midwife. The Public Broadcasting Service has also produced and broadcast a number of notable documentaries, including The Civil War, Baseball, and Jazz, produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, in partnership with WETA and Florentine Films. The organization has also partnered with other notable producers, such as National Geographic Society, Smithsonian Institution, and Library of Congress, to produce and broadcast programming, including Nature, American Experience, and Antiques Roadshow.

● Member Stations

The Public Broadcasting Service has a network of member stations, including WGBH, WNET, KQED, and WETA, which are located in major cities across the United States, such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.. These stations are supported by NPR, American Public Media, and PBS Kids, and produce and broadcast a wide range of programming, including Sesame Street, Nova, and Frontline. The Public Broadcasting Service also has a number of affiliate stations, such as WTTW and KCET, which broadcast Public Broadcasting Service programming, as well as BBC, CBC, and Australian Broadcasting Corporation programming. The organization has also partnered with other notable stations, such as CPB, NAB, and CTA, to produce and broadcast programming.

● Digital Services

The Public Broadcasting Service offers a range of digital services, including PBS Video, which allows users to stream Public Broadcasting Service programming, including Sesame Street, Nova, and Frontline, on demand. The organization also offers a number of mobile apps, including PBS Kids Video and PBS NewsHour, which provide access to Public Broadcasting Service programming on the go, in partnership with Apple, Google, and Amazon. The Public Broadcasting Service has also partnered with other notable organizations, such as Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, to make its programming available to a wider audience, including Downton Abbey, Sherlock, and Call the Midwife.

● Criticisms and Controversies

The Public Broadcasting Service has faced a number of criticisms and controversies over the years, including concerns about funding, programming, and governance, from organizations such as National Rifle Association, American Family Association, and Media Research Center. The organization has also faced criticism for its handling of certain programming, such as Sesame Street and Nova, which have been accused of promoting liberal or conservative agendas, by Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. The Public Broadcasting Service has also faced challenges in recent years, including the rise of streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, which have changed the way people consume television programming, and the organization has had to adapt to these changes, in partnership with NPR, American Public Media, and PBS Kids. Despite these challenges, the Public Broadcasting Service remains a vital part of the American media landscape, providing high-quality programming to millions of people across the United States, in partnership with BBC, CBC, and Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Category:Public broadcasting