PBS: Public Broadcasting Service (2024)

FAQs

Is PBS a trusted news source? ›

PBS and Member Stations Named “Most Trusted” Media Organization for 19 Consecutive Years. ARLINGTON, VA; March 17, 2022– According to a nationwide survey, PBS was named the most trusted media organization for the 19th year in a row.

PBS empowers individuals to achieve their potential and strengthen the social, democratic, and cultural health of the U.S.

“PBS SoCal and KCET merged in 2018, and since then, we have grown into a strong public media entity serving Southern California that reflects the diversity of our region and provides a full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS programs,” said PBS SoCal prexy/CEO Andrew Russell.

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), private, nonprofit American corporation whose members are the public television stations of the United States and its unincorporated territories.

PBS NewsHour is one of the few commercial news sources to avoid instances of inaccuracies and controversies. When it comes to left or right leaning politics, their coverage focuses on both sides of an issue.

PBS and our member stations are America's largest classroom, a trusted window to the world, a reliable partner in public safety, and the nation's stage for the arts. As communities face a new challenge, PBS remains a critical source of timely and trusted information.

Public broadcasting stations are funded by a combination of private donations from listeners and viewers, foundations and corporations. Funding for public television comes in roughly equal parts from government (at all levels) and the private sector.

PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise owned by its member public television stations. PBS distributes programming to approximately 350 locally controlled and operated public television stations across the country. It is funded principally by these member stations, distribution revenue, and underwriting support.

PBS can be used for a range of individuals with different needs – it is recommended for individuals who display (or are at risk of displaying) challenging behaviour. PBS is suitable for individuals with mild to severe learning disabilities, as the strategies used are always tailored to the person.

Viewers can watch their local PBS station's livestream on the PBS website and app without needing to donate or pay a fee. To watch the PBS livestream, please click here. For legal reasons, you must be in a station's immediate area in order to watch their livestream.

Is PBS good for kids? ›

Throughout the process, research ensures that PBS KIDS shows, games and activities are developmentally appropriate, safe and effective learning tools.

Funding from corporate sponsors supports PBS KIDS' mission to use the power of media to open worlds of possibilities for all children. Corporate sponsors provide critical funding that helps PBS KIDS offer free programming, games and activities to all of America's children on the many media platforms that they use.

Major corporate funding for the PBS NewsHour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and American Cruise Lines. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.

In a survey held in April 2023, 13 percent of Americans said that they found CNN to be a very trustworthy source of news and information. Opinions regarding the network's trustworthiness varied, with 21 percent of respondents saying that they did not trust CNN at all.