Public Broadcasting History Began as Educational Television (ETV) FCC’s Sixth Report and Order ended the freeze in 1952 and provided for 242 ETV channels (more were added later) Search for identity began 1959: NET 1967: it was proposed Congress establish a national “corporation for public television”

Public TV Becomes Law 1967 LBJ signs Public Broadcasting Act CPB is established: a quasi-governmental organization whose key role is to funnel money into projects supportive of the nation’s public broadcasters

Role of CPB Does not have long-term funding (has to go back to Congress each year) May not own or operate station itself so local stations retain autonomy Established Public Broadcasting Service as a sort of “national network” Divvies up money between PBS and local stations

FAQ: difference between CPB and PBS

Public TV Funding (US) Membership: 22% State Legislature: 17% (usually part of the education budget) CPB: 15% (Congress) Last year: $8 million to FL, $379,000 to WMFE Corporations: 15% Local Govt.: 15% (WMFE now gets $0)

On the Radio Side National Public Radio Public Radio International Local public radio affiliates

Public TV & Radio Programming Local stations (WGBH, WETA, WQED) Overseas (BBC) Locals may air live commission meetings in addition to public affairs programming

Types of Programs News: longer format, less visually-oriented History: documentaries (Ken Burns, etc.) Performing Arts: Boston Pops, Austin City Limits Science and Nature: NOVA Instruction: This Old House, Victory Garden Children: Education

Links to all local member stations

Public TV Controversy 1995: Gingrich wants to cut all funding July, ‘99: Bill proposes a big CPB spending increase for digital enhancements Late July ‘99: Angry Congressional Hearings Sept. ‘99: Survey says 9% of PBS stations us political mailing lists for fundraising

Public TV Controversy Late ‘99: Head of PBS resigns 2000: Kids channel launch (cable) Pat Mitchell becomes new president of PBS Summer 2000: big scheduling change announced Fall 2000: changes take place… WMFE is involved in the experiment

Online magazine about current public broadcasting issues and affairs

Non-Commercial Cable C-SPAN Cable in the Classroom (A&E, History Channel) Local public access (SGTV, Orange TV, Ocoee TV)

Non-commercial DBS Must reserve 4-7% of channel capacity (challenged in court but upheld: implementation began in 1997) C-span WorldLink

Non-commercial Internet Not regulated Many non-profits Online learning DONATIONS… unprecedented donations collected since Sept. 11

Group Activity 2 Due Tuesday, Oct. 23 Each member should listen to a different program of your choice on a local public radio stationEach member should listen to a different program of your choice on a local public radio station Go to your group discussion area and write a few sentences about what you heardGo to your group discussion area and write a few sentences about what you heard Include some pros and cons about the programInclude some pros and cons about the program