PBS: No ‘red flag’ on funding under Trump, but it’s early

The effort coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Public Broadcasting Act that created what Kerger called “the best public-private partnership.”

“For about $1.35 a citizen a year, we provide an extraordinary service,” she said.

Federal money represents 15 per cent of public TV stations’ funding overall, with the rest provided by private and corporate donors, PBS said. Most of that approximately $400 million is divided annually among 1,500-plus locally owned-and-operated TV and radio stations nationwide.

Individual TV stations’ reliance on federal funds varies widely — for those in Alaska, for instance, the money represents as much as 50 per cent of their budgets, Kerger said.

Government support for public broadcasting periodically comes under scrutiny.

Many Republicans vowed to eliminate subsidies in 1995, but the effort fizzled. In 2005, Republicans controlling the House tried to cut subsidies for PBS, National Public Radio and hundreds of public radio and TV stations by $100 million, igniting an outcry from fans of “Sesame Street” and other defenders of public broadcasting. That bid failed, as did the most recent effort in 2011.

Kerger said a “rigorous reassessment” of how federal dollars are spent is always legitimate, with lawmakers taking into account what their constituents think about PBS’ value.

She called children’s programming the most “powerful argument” for public broadcasting, especially with half of American children lacking access to preschool.

On Monday, PBS is launching a round-the-clock PBS Kids Channel on member stations and live-streamed on digital platforms. The free service will serve youngsters aged 2 to 6 and their families with educational programming including “Nature Cat” and “Bob the Builder,” PBS said.

Lynn Elber, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

PBS: No ‘red flag’ on funding under Trump, but it’s early

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