How come public broadcasting is so weak in the U.S.? And the effects?

[retromike22]

In most countries public broadcasting is the only form of television or at least the main television channel. But in the U.S., PBS is just a minor channel, and most people watch tv channels owned by private companies. How did that happen?

And is that part of the reason so many Americans on the far left and far right believe in crazy things?

It seems like those on the far left believe that all the channels that are owned by private companies are part of a wealthy corporation conspiracy that is far right.

And those on the far right believe that all of the channels (except Fox) are part of a liberal media bias, because they are in a conspiracy with the government that is far left.

And so both of them disregard mass media, turning to the internet for a source (which is never a reliable source) and believe crazier and crazier theories. Until you have a significant percentage of people who think Bush was a fascist, or Obama is a socialist, or that Obama was born in Kenya, or that evolution is not true, or that you see a person holding up a sign that says "Keep Government off of my Medicare!" And then you have people who are mentally ill, who get caught up in these theories and end up shooting a Congresswoman, an army base, or a movie theater.

Wouldn't an increase in the public broadcasting status, a national channel that is competitive with ABC, NBC, and CBS, be better for the country? And for those who fear government influence on PBS, the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 requires a "strict adherence to objectivity and balance in all programs or series of programs of a controversial nature". And it also prohibits the federal government from interfering or controlling what is broadcast.

Basically, PBS should be the United States' BBC.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

In short, not much funding and people who say "NPR IS NAZIS!"

[Sheliak5]

Get rid of Garrison Keillor and more people might listen to NPR.

[Sibboleth]

Haven't you answered your own question, in a way? Television in Britain started with the BBC and the decision to establish a commercial rival (ITV) in 1955 was politically controversial to say the least. It's at least a vaguely similar picture in most other countries, unless I'm misremembering. But rather obviously not the U.S. PBS in its current form only dates from the 1970s, right?

[The Mikado]

Get rid of Garrison Keillor and more people might listen to NPR.

I love Garrison Keillor. 

[asexual trans victimologist]

Get rid of Garrison Keillor and more people might listen to NPR.

Garrison Keillor is the only reason many people listen to NPR.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

Get rid of Garrison Keillor and more people might listen to NPR.

Garrison Keillor is the only reason many people listen to NPR.

Statistically, I think it's Car Talk.

[True Federalist]

Keep in mind that one reason why PBS was created and why it has that mandated requirement for objectivity is what happened with its predecessor NET.  NET was the first public broadcasting network.  (From the beginning of both FM radio and TV there were set asides in the spectrum for public broadcasting, it just took a while for national networks to form, so the idea that public broadcasting began in 1967 is bunk.) National Educational Television had private funding, largely from the Ford Foundation and it is where such beloved shows as Sesame Street and Mister Rodgers' Neighborhood got their start, but it was also known for its documentaries and they became perceived as definitely leftist. So much so that the Ford Foundation cut back its funding and created the funding crisis for public broadcasting that led to the government funded Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

[dead0man]

Several points....most of the shows on PBS are really good.  It's certainly one of my favorite "networks".  The science shows (Nova and what not) are better than the science shows on the various Discovery Channels and National Geographic (though NG puts out some good stuff too).  The history shows are much better than the History Channel (which went from the Hitler Channel to the Bigfoot Channel to the various quirky guys in Las Vegas channel).  But it lacks the....."pizazz" of the private networks (part of the reason I like PBS better) so they will never be able to compete for the attention of Joe Six Pack.

Also, one of the best parts of Nova is that a primary sponsor is every leftists favorite villain, David Koch.  Which I'm sure freaks them out every time they see his name.

[bgwah]

Also, one of the best parts of Nova is that a primary sponsor is every leftists favorite villain, David Koch.  Which I'm sure freaks them out every time they see his name.

I have nightmares about it!

[dead0man]

Ahh, he's not as bad as the haters make him out to be....pro gay marriage, against the various wars we've had recently, gives a TON of money to good causes....and I mean good causes that even political opposites like me and you can agree are good causes like cancer research and art.

[asexual trans victimologist]

Get rid of Garrison Keillor and more people might listen to NPR.

Garrison Keillor is the only reason many people listen to NPR.

Statistically, I think it's Car Talk.

Most likely. I like Car Talk too and I'm not even really into cars.

[shua]

If people want to watch PBS, they can, so I don't see the problem. If PBS tried to compete with the major networks they would just dumb themselves down.

[Grumps]

American is too conservative for it to be popular outside of the far east and far left coasts.

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

Get rid of Garrison Keillor and more people might listen to NPR.

My family would probably listen less.

[opebo]

Because 'private' broadcasting is allowed - shameful really.

[Former Moderate]

I generally think PBS struggles, because its programming for adults is, on the whole, weak. It's surpassed by none in its commercial-free kids coverage, though. If I was a new parent, I wouldn't want my kids watching anything else until they were much older.

NPR really nails its coverage for adults, on the other hand. Their programs get tens of millions of listeners daily.

[shua]

Get rid of Garrison Keillor and more people might listen to NPR.

What they need to do is kindly ask Diane Rehm to retire already.

[Former Moderate]

Get rid of Garrison Keillor and more people might listen to NPR.

What they need to do is kindly ask Diane Rehm to retire already.

Her voice legit makes me feel sad. Like I'm visiting my grandma in the old folks' home.

[London Man]

Haven't you answered your own question, in a way? Television in Britain started with the BBC and the decision to establish a commercial rival (ITV) in 1955 was politically controversial to say the least.

Indeed - which I guess is why they went for the regional franchise model for 'ITV' - to prevent it from becoming a true rival.

[dead0man]

American is too conservative for it to be popular outside of the far east and far left coasts.

I'm guessing you are just making an assumption here and have no facts to back this up?

[True Federalist]

Get rid of Garrison Keillor and more people might listen to NPR.

What they need to do is kindly ask Diane Rehm to retire already.

Her voice legit makes me feel sad. Like I'm visiting my grandma in the old folks' home.

Don't get to hear her.  The local public radio carries On Point instead.

Getting rid of Garrison Keillor would have the effect of getting more people to listen to NPR since his show isn't carried by them, but by APM.

[muon2]

The reason is not about PBS vs BBC, but goes to the original history of radio. In the US the original networks were based on advertising and the networks reflected the corporate parents, like RCA and Macy's. The BBC was also originally formed by private companies, but dissolved in 1926 to become a royal chartered entity. That distinction in operations in the radio era carried into TV. The multiple competing radio networks with heavy use of sponsors in the US helped preserve their independence from the need for a government network. To this day the only true US government broadcast network for the public is WWV that provides the exact time of day.

[Free Palestine]

Because Republicans.

[True Federalist]

To this day the only true US government broadcast network for the public is WWV that provides the exact time of day.

How soon people forget NOAA weather radio.