The unique public television system is comprised of a collaboration of local non-commercial stations that meet certain designated standards which the Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports. As such, public broadcasting is designed to reflect the values of its viewers rather than advertisers.I found some more information here.

While there is great diversity among American television broadcasting outlets, public broadcasting is the only one that is commercial free. This is just one reason why public television remains so highly trusted by the people that it serves.

Primarily locally licensed, governed, programmed and staffed, public television is often the single source of free local, national and international news, cultural programming and public affairs in rural and other regions.

Public television producers work among hundreds of local and national community partners to ensure that its viewers have universal access to the highest quality non-commercial programming possible, with a particular focus upon the best interests of the most underserved audiences, such as children, low income and minority sectors of the community.

Public broadcasting television also supports lifelong learning with a number of educationally based programming for all ages. This is accomplished with investments in programs designed for children and adults covering public affairs, cultural affairs and all levels of news. Additionally, public television offers teacher training, digital classroom and distance learning resources that have solidified public television as a leader in broadcast education.

In 2012 the Federal Budget allocated 445 million dollars to fund PBS. Supporters said quite correctly that 445 million dollars is a mere drop in the bucket when compared to the rest of the Federal Budget. Detractors appropriately responded that 445 million dollars is a significant amount of money, adding that they felt the expenditure was an unnecessary expense. Going to online blogs was not more helpful, as opinions there are equally polarizing. People with a liberal bent asserted that PBS was a tool of the corporations, because of all of the corporate sponsors, they were influenced PBS to produce shows with a distinctive conservative slant. People with a conservative bent saw PBS as an extension of the liberal media, by presenting programs with a liberal bias disguised as educational material. Because Romney’s statements were generally supported by his party, and disputed by the Democrats, it would appear that the balance of the opposition to PBS tips to the Republican side. That implies that the converse is also true. What is most unbelievable was that both sides of the political aisle have some scathing criticisms of PBS.

What is needed, and what is obviously lacking, is a little objectivity. Does PBS offer some of the best educational programs on television? Unquestionably they do! Do privately funded programs offer shows with comparable educational value? Of course! Does either venue offer anything like a complete education? Not hardly! Where does the responsibility for a child’s education lie? Do we need PBS? What are our alternatives? Maybe there should be more responsibility on a television provider to maintain a certain level of educational programming at an affordable price. Some companies, like Direct TV offers packages with quite a bit of educational programming that you typically may not get.

Set on a fictious street in New York, Sesame Street has managed to entertain, and instruct, millions of children over the years. Each segment of the show has a didactic purpose, and each show has both a theme letter and theme number.

Human characters on the show interact with various puppets, actually called “Muppets” and costumed characters. The shows focus on the theme letters and numbers, but frequently there is a conflict of some sort and the characters work towards resolving the conflict in a non-aggressive manner. Other topics include social awareness, tolerance and cultural diversity. People of all ethnicities interact with Muppets of various sizes, shapes, colors and personalities in an attempt to teach how we can all live and work together.

Each show is divided into short, limited segments specifically geared to younger children. Dancing, singing and high-energy skits intersperse with the short, didactic segments, and research has shown this to be an effective way to teach children.

Clearly, Sesame Street is a foundational education program.

The first episode featured Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Grover and Oscar the Grouch. As time went on, other muppets were added. The most noteworthy additions include Elmo in 1980, Zoe in 1993 and Abby in 2006. Elmo gained popularity in the early to mid 1990s and sales of the Tickle-Me-Elmo doll allowed Children’s Television Workshop to buy the rights to use Jim Henson’s Muppets. Other significant Sesame Street events include the marriage of Louis and Maria, The birth of Gaby and the death of Mr. Hooper. The last won Sesame Street their first Emmy.

After more than 40 years, Sesame Street is still going strong. Although many changes have come to the Street, the show remains, as it was created, a show that gives kids a leg up when it comes to starting school. Children everywhere still sing along when the familiar “Sunny Days” begins and they still delight in their best friends: the muppets, kids and adults of Sesame Street.

It’s considered a fact that our character and belief systems are influenced by what we allow to enter into our minds. Statistics show that children will witness more than 12,000 deaths by the time they are 13. Public television has committed itself to providing the highest quality, most educational, kid and family friendly, and of course free programing possible.

Imagine how significant of an impact that has on a child’s psyche. Public television can help education every age while at the same time removing children, and adults, from the violence and gore that has become so popular on television today.

On average, 46 million households each and every week will watch public television. Each station is non-profit with more than 350 stations within the U.S. alone. People who view and listen to public broadcasting state that they find value from the educational programming as well as the ‘unbiased’ and ‘unfiltered’ as well as deeper perspective and report of important issues.

Public television has always provided educational and informative programming that is rarely found on major networks. Shows such as Nova, 3-2-1 Contact, Masterpiece Theater, countless documentaries, mystery programs, and comedies would most likely not be seen if not for public television. There are many children who have learned their numbers and alphabet from programs on PBS. Viewers have learned how to paint. People have visited remote lands without ever leaving their homes. Others have discovered animals, plants, and insects they did not know existed. This all took through public television programming.

Public television is a place where viewers can get quality programs that are not attempting to keep up with pop cultures’ fads or temporary fascinations.

While we all understand the government is over extended financially and there are times any budget must be streamlined, let’s consider what would be lost by discontinuing government funds to public television networks. Items that enrich, educate, and empower should not be purged.

The public television stations get lots of local attention. This is why people need to advertise through their local public channels. A local business has much greater chances of building a local audience this way. People that put up different advertisements on the web will need a fan base. This involves directing traffic to a website. People that choose television advertising don’t have to worry about bringing customers to a site. All they have to do is get the money together. This is the many reason that television advertising costs more. There is no work required on your part. Want to know more? Go ahead: Stars and Stripes Quilt for QOV