If you enjoy reading the New York Times everyone morning as I do (highly recommended for those in the theatre profession who want to keep up on the trends) then you might have read Is PBS Still Necessary?
For those of use who were raised in an era pre-cable and satellite the possibility of PBS being eradicated is definately a sad prospect. Personally, I was raised on shows such as Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and Mister Roger's Neighborhood. There was so much children programming. Even as a teenager who stayed up late I occasionally ended up on PBS for the late night British television (although I could not tell you the names of any of them they were none-the-less very entertaining) and sometimes in those after school hours I would catch the specials such as the French documentary that detailed the history and culture of France (part of my heritage and language studies). Just a few days ago I watched the astronomy show that details the constellations and planets.
To say the least, PBS has been my best friend since I was born. That was the first station I ever watched as a child and I cannot help but keep going back to it. But as I have grown older I have noticed the trend of longer and longer telethon style fund raisers begging the public to help keep the station alive. It is a dying ember now that cable/satellite now offers channels that specialize in the subjects these older programs on PBS discuss. I could find cartoons on Cartoon Network, British television on BBC, France on the travel channel, and astronomy on the Discovery Channel.
But there is a special charm attached to PBS programming that no modern day, high priced show could possibly measure up to. Only the older quality of puppets and cartoon painted cardboard make the magic still exist. Only the guy from that astronomy show can jump and spin from planet to planet to show me what constellation will be visible tonight.
I guess I never want to say goodbye to my best friend. May the joy of educational programming live on forever on the airwaves.
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I too grew up watching PBS. I particularly remember watching Reading Rainbow and ZOOM. It has such a learning atmosphere that I hate watching it die.
Necessary? Maybe not. But it should stay. It's cheap, it's great, and you can get it if you don't ahve cable.
I loved Arthur, Sesame Street, Wishbone, Bill Nye, and all the others. Things I learned off of those shows I still use. Long live PBS.
I remember and loved all of those programs (including ZOOM as mentioned above). I highly suggest reading the article. Why this is coming up is the fact that the government is attempting to cut funding for PBS and other public broadcasting in half. That is why they are in such danger of going under.
Think about it...
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tomorrowtoday