Positioning for PBS

PBS' President sees an opportunity for growth in presenting documentaries and the arts. Paula Kerger's vision is that public television can offer more of what is being abandoned by commercial cable channels.
In an interview with The Salt Lake City Tribune she outlines her ideas for the future of public television.
Kerger says, "So, again, it’s another opportunity if we’re really interested in making sure our country’s stories are being told. I think we need to be there."


Public radio has been doing that by providing services long abandoned by commercial services including in-depth news, intelligent entertainment programming, classical music and other music services. So has public TV. Kerger wants to do more. The difference is that the public television network does not create its own content. The stations are the primary provider of content for PBS.  NPR, PRI and APM provides content for member radio stations, most of public radio's most popular programs.

She's right. There is an opportunity. It will be interesting to see if the opportunity can be affordable and self-sustaining.