I know that in theory privatizing PBS wouldn't change their programming choices. They would probably go for "sponsors" and slowly move more "sponsors" into mid-show breaks. It would stay classy. It would stay informational. I would still get America's Test Kitchen and the kids would still get Wild Kratts.
However, it's interesting to think about the history of the TLC network. The Learning Channel started out as educational. It began as a joint venture of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare along with NASA. When it was first privatized, nothing changed. For a decade, it continued to remain focussed on education and learning, though with subtle shifts toward entertainment.
When it was bought out by Discovery, it evolved more rapidly. It became a channel for popular art and interior decorating. It was entertaining with a slight touch of education. However, it certainly lacked the cognitive kick that it once had.
Now it has become the freak show of reality television, exploiting stereotypes of little people, large families and "rednecks." Last time I checked, Honey Boo Boo isn't quite the same as Word World and Junkyard Wars isn't quite the quality educational programming one sees on News Hour.
Don't get me wrong. We can still learn from TLC, though in our case, the biggest lesson we can learn is what might happen to PBS if it becomes privatized.
I can't believe the hysteria of the post. Romney's not going to kill Big Bird. PBS isn't going to change. If they lose some Federal funding, they'll just do some more fundraising. You're making a straw man argument and ignoring the more important issues of an hour and a half debate.
ReplyDeleteI love the meme at the top!
ReplyDeleteI've always referred to TLC/Discovery as a modern day side shows - where else can you see little people (Little People Big World, The Little Couple), Fat People (My Half Ton Mom), Conjoined Twins (Abbey and Brittany), Tattooed People (NY Ink, LA Ink, Miami Ink)and Mermaids (Mermaid - The Body Found).
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan by the way - I'm also a big fan of NPR but hate their twice yearly beg-for-money-athons. We all know they sell sponsorships so spending 30% of the broadcast day asking for money to me is counter-productive.
Fortunately, the pledge drives here tend to be two-day drives. It makes it tolerable.
DeleteNPR and PBS both receive "donations" from "sponsors" and then give short advertisements for those "sponsors." Ever watched PBS Kids without noticing the Chuck-E-Cheese commercials? They're already privatized. It's a losing battle.
ReplyDeleteGreat work once again. I enjoy visiting your site for the reason that you usually post well thought out pieces of information. Excellent article.I am excited to add this website to my faves. I believe I will subscribe to the websites feed too. Does anybody currently have a droid x 4g? It is sooo good..
ReplyDeleteCustom Paper Writing || Assignment Help || Buy Dissertations Online || Cheap Essay Writing