Public Television And Its Effect On Corporate Funding

Thus far, pubic television has failed to adopt popular media forms. Public television stations such as PBS failed to attract larger and more diverse audiences because they kept their programming intellectual and dull rather than building on popular aspects of television culture. Ouellette and Lewis argue that PBS could have incorporated sitcoms, soaps, and sports into their programming and then

In chapter two, Wattenberg discusses television broadcasting and its impact with news networks such as NBC, CBS, and ABC. He quotes a 1972 study by Patterson and McClure in which they believed that although broadcasting allowed for Americans to see the campaign, it did not help teach voters anything of importance (32). TV news has become increasingly directed towards the elderly, with young people elsewhere or watching something else when politics are broadcasted (33). He illustrates this point with an example of the types of commercials aired for medications that while are suited for any age group, they are remedies for maladies or health concerns that older generations experience more than younger ones. Today, there are multitudes of television channels available for specific topics such as sports and music rather than the general topics the original major networks broadcasted, making it easier for young people to avoid the political events that once captivated the attention of Americans in previous generations. One study found that 21% of respondents under 30 years of age learned about the Presidential campaign or candidates from a comedy show instead of from newscasts (40). Although some find information indirectly through entertainment TV, a 2004 survey proved that 7% of respondents who followed the campaign closely enjoyed it and were familiar with facts heavily relied on cable news channels as a source of information, proving that if

In an effort to expose the epistemology of television, which Postman believes has not been effectively addressed, he examines the effects of TV on several important American cultural institutions: news, religion, politics and education.  All four institutions, Postman argues, have realized that they have to go on television in order to be noticed which, in turn, requires them to learn the language of TV if they are to reach the people.  Therefore, they have joined the national conversation not on their own terms, but on TV's terms.  Postman contends that this transformation of our major institutions has trivialized what is most important about them and turned our culture into "one vast arena for show business" (80).  In the case of broadcast news, we see visually stimulating, disconnected stories about murder and mayhem along with a healthy dose of infotainment delivered by friendly and likeable anchors that remind us to "tune in tomorrow".  In the case of politics, we have discourse through distorted paid TV commercials and "debates" in which the appearance of having said something important is

The television industry is one of the most rapidly changing media industries to date. Its evolution from black and white, to colour, to digital and now three-dimensional viewing, there is nothing slow about its development. Focusing particularly on commercial free-to-air (FTA) television, the FTA television industry plays a critical role in the Australian ecosystem. Due to its free delivery, it generates $3.2 billion per annum in economic and advertising surplus (Venture Consulting, 2015). This is why the value of commercial FTA television to the Australian public remains high whereby FTA television is watched by more than 14 million Australians daily (Free TV Australia, 2014). However, television nowadays is much more than a medium of entertainment and information. It is also used as a method for engaging in social interaction (Morely, 1986, p. 22), and this digital divide of interaction is what harms the television industry. The launch of streaming services not only confronts the traditional ‘linear’ TV format by allowing users to select what they want to watch and when they want it, it also broadens the offering to almost any device (Spooner, 2015). The research methods in the television industry despite its strength as a medium, must however, walk hand in hand with the fast progression of new technology and challenge the rise of digital omnivores.

While the five major commercial broadcasters in the United States - ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and The CW - are all networks, PBS is not. PBS is a program distributor and broadcaster.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the pros and cons of the proposal to eliminate federal funding to The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). In doing so, first we will explore several facets of this issue including first the cost of funding from both a governmental and taxpayer perspective. Secondly, understanding the services provided and the audience served is integral in this discussion. Lastly, we will consider government’s role in media and education. The conversation, however, must start with the history, values, and goals of this organization.

On May 9, 1961 Newton Minow gave a speech known as “Television and the Public Interest” to the convention of the National Association of Broadcasters. He gave this speech after being appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commision to inform broadcasters that television is in need of higher quality programming for the public interest.

Television is advertising. It is a medium whose purpose is to sell, to promote capitalism. In 1977, Jerry Mander, a former advertising executive in San Francisco, published Four Arguments For The Elimination Of Television. In the book, Mander reveals how the television networks and advertisers use this pervasive video medium for sales.

The legislation that brought CPB into existence includes a declarative preamble lauding the development of public radio, television and other non-broadcast communications offerings as key to the public interest (Public Broadcasting Act of 1967). Through grants to more than 1,500 locally owned public radio and television stations, CPB has encouraged creation of diverse content by ultimately contributing to funding for non-profit media organizations including National Public Radio (“NPR”), whose mission centers on the development and distribution of high-quality journalism and cultural expression (National Public Radio, 2017A).

In the best of times here, television had been a closely guarded and carefully monitored luxury. It was an award system that I had shunned since my first day of residency, realizing quickly that the only programs awarded to my special class of society were reruns of Saved by the Bell and whatever channel constantly replayed “Homeward Bound.” Until today, I thought that those were the only channels the damn thing received.

Independent films bring attention to controversial topics and encourage audiences to challenge assumptions, think critically and in some cases, take action towards initiating change. The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to “use media to educate, inspire, entertain and express the diversity of perspectives. PBS empowers individuals to achieve their potential and strengthens the social, democratic and cultural health of the U.S.” (PBS.org, 2017).

In our society, there are many forms of mediated texts ranging from newspapers and magazines to films and television shows. Each of these media forms can be seen from different theoretical perspectives and analyzed to understand the different concepts that may influence them. Television shows are one of the most popular media texts with approximately 400 new shows airing each year (Ryan, 2016). However, it is often very unlikely for these television shows to strive as 65% are cancelled after their first season (Ocasio, 2012). This then, brings Marxist scholars into the picture as they are interested in how economic factors affect the production and distribution of media content (Mack & Ott, 2016). The Marxist theoretical perspective allows Marxist scholars to study television shows in order to understand why they were cancelled and how certain roles in the media lead to this.

Do you think that taxes should fund for public television? I think that the taxes should. Public television helps people all around the globe. It is said that public television can make people happy and joyful. There are tons of fun channels to watch and make a person's day brighter.

Many people in the United States grew up with shows like Sesame Street. Fun, ‘children’ shows that offered important social and educational values. Recently, there have been severe budget cuts to PBS, the program that funds Sesame Street and other educational programs such as the YouTube show Crash Course. While this seems like an issue that shouldn’t be brought into the public eye, there are many repercussions to completely terminating very relevant, poignant programs.

Finally the public television is used as an example to describe the peculiarities of the media and the political economy of the media.