Public television in the United States: PBS as an alternative to commercial broadcasters

Abstract

PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is formed by a huge number of local stations, which are an alternative to commercial broadcasters. These channels have been an alternative power to commercial television to solve the gap between the media system and the needs of a democratic society. Public television offers cultural, educational and quality information, a production funded primarily through private donations. However, the system of public television in the United States is very fragmented and of a minority nature, due to the lack of a generalist channel to the whole country and the absence of a common mission among local providers. This research project analyzes the model of
public television in the United States focusing on information, based on a research stay made at the University of Illinois.

KEYWORDS: PBS, public television, local channels, United States, information, proximity.