Public Broadcasting Service

Public Broadcasting Service (abbreviated PBS) is the largest American non-commercial television network, which was founded in 1970 . The network delivers programs to 349 local television stations that are members of the network.

PBS is funded by a combination of voluntary contributions from viewers and sponsors, and a Government grant through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The Government contribution In 2005 was about $ 370 million. The Board members of the CPB are appointed by the u.s. president and must be approved by the U.s. Senate. As a result of the current balance of power in Washington is the CPB dominated by the Republican party. This has led to complaints from the PBS that the CPB is trying to influence the programs used by the PBS distributed.

The network does not have its own production facilities, but distributes programs produced by the associated television stations. The local drives combine the programs from PBS with their own programs. PBS is also distributed through a large number of satellite and cable systems.

There is often criticism from conservative corner uploaded from on the apparent left-wing programs that produces the PBS. So was a program on PBS Kids where a boy went to visit at his gay father criticized by conservative organizations and television networks.

Due to the general economic situation in the United States in recent years, many local PBS station had problems in order to maintain the voluntary contributions from viewers.