PBS Is Good For You!

[Mr.Bee]

PBS has the best truthful news from around the world, BBC, DW(Germany), France 24, NHK Newsline(Japanese public broadcaster NHK), and of course DemocracyNOW! with Amy Goodman.
It allows you to get a perspective of what the world sees of us rather than inside the confines of corporate commercial US TV.
It gives you a broader perspective without advertiser interruption.
Need your cooking shows?
PBS has some of the best cooking shows, makes me hungry!
What about dramas?
Great British dramas and mysteries without commercial interruption. (They will let you know who's sponsoring at the beginning and end of each show, but they do not push the 'buy this right now' I see trying to get through my local news).
British dramas? History will show some of Americas best-loved dramas and sitcoms originated in Britain!
My PBS just started a replay of Downton Abbey. I had never seen it. Now I see what everyone was raving about years ago!
Star Wars was produced in Britain! Need I say more??
Music Programming?
Austin City Limits for one, plus a myriad of other music shows like Bluegrass Underground, Song of the Mountains, and others.
Historical Programs?
Are you really sure what's in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights? the Declaration of Independence? The Civil War?
Travel Shows?
Who could forget Rick Steeves, who will give you an inside look at why and how European nations are so prosperous while taking care of their citizens! But he's only one, there's also Samantha Brown, Joseph Rosendo, Baratunde Thurston, many different travel guides produced in many different countries. Too poor to travel? With DTV now you can.
Everybody is so upset with CBS60 minutes.
Have you ever seen FRONTLINE?? Absolutely the best in TV news journalism.
I have weaned myself off commercial TV. You should to, for your sanity.
So cut your cable. Tune in to PBS. You'll save a bunch of money and you too will see why the right is trying to squelch it!
A well informed public is the foundation of a healthy democracy.

[PatSeg]

1. I agree

[SuzyandPuffpuff]

2. Love this

Thanks... been a follower for decades ... PBS is very underrrated. I find it a breath of fresh air

[hookaleft]

3. love PBS

but I do find that their segments are short and don't cover the whole of situations

[allegorical oracle]

4. Good and valuable. Watched an interview on MS NOW yesterday, where a group of

former djt voters explained why they now regret their votes. One woman said that she "didn't know" about Jan. 6 -- until she watched a PBS documentary. It resulted in her no longer supporting t-rump. Maybe there are others like her.

[Mr.Bee]

7. On PBS

we watched live uninterrupted live coverage while it was happening as well as the hearings afterward.
No doubt those (Jan 6er) people weren't PBS viewers.

[Beartracks]

37. "Didn't know" about the Jan 6 attack on American democracy?? Yikes.

There's some mighty powerful ignorance being fostered among conservative voters.

================

[Mr.Bee]

5. Folks, I'm Not a Rich Man

by any means.
I've never sold a car in my life, but my last three cars I had about 30 years each, I donated to my local PBS.
Thank You, PBS!

[SheLiberal]

6. Passport is Amazing

I love Passport and being able to watch all the programs I love. Well worth the donation!

[Mr.Bee]

8. I don't know

what passport or streaming is except I don't have it. I'm rural with an antenna.

[deRien]

19. Passport allows you

access to more of the programming that comes from sources like Walter Presents or Masterpiece Theater, etc. For just a small donation of $5.00 a month you can become a member. If you are able to, you can increase that to any amount that you like.
A lot of the programs on Public Broadcasting System (PBS) are free. They ask for donations because of the cuts done by this administration and to provide additional programming.

[GoCubsGo]

13. Yup, and they have a lot of the regional programming that's available to everyone.

Shows that are produced in, for instance, Minnesota generally air only in Minnesota. But, folks outside of that viewing area often don't get to see them. However, anyone with Passport can watch them on demand.

[flvegan]

9. And MotorWeek, with John Davis!

I never miss an episode.

[haele]

10. PBS YouTube is amazing and very accessable

They often team up with the really good science podcasters, YouTubers and other reputable science, history, and humanities bloggers or online journalists to create mini- documentaries and series.
Crash Course, Eons, and PBS Sci-Show are staples at our house, whether or not the Grandkids are here.

[ananda]

11. PBS is great!

That's the only channel I stream.

Their ads and shows are really good too!

[summer_in_TX]

38. Actually, those are not ads. They are underwriting spots. Those follow strict rules by law.

Noncommercial stations are not allowed to run ads. Those can be defined as content that pushes or pulls viewers (or listeners in the case of noncommercial radio) to be motivated to spend money that benefits the advertiser.

Underwriting spots are required to be free from any push or pull and short. The idea is to just name those supporting the station and its content. They usually tell the name of the business and how to find them online or in person. No superlatives, no inducements like "free" or "one of a kind."

Pledge drive donations are separate from underwriting, but if a business donates the station must publicly identify the donor on the air, but only for a short period of time so it doesn't end up perceived as a promotion.

Interestingly NPR paid for research to find out public perception of their underwriters. Turns out the public tends to trust those that support the station they value without strings attached or trying to sell them something. In the case of local NPR radio affiliates, listeners really seem to look for the companies they hear support their station and spend their money with them.

[Figarosmom]

12. Have watched PBS since I was child

As have my daughter. I am a legacy contributor. Just got next months Tune In guide and am excited to see what's coming up.

And I love streaming Passport.

[GiqueCee]

14. "A well informed public is the foundation of a healthy democracy."

Which is why, when fascist elements of society attempt a hostile takeover, their first target is public media. Control the message, control the minds. Look at the owners of the M$M in this country. Now do the math.

[mdbl]

15. PBS isn't part of the Idiocracy media

[CousinIT]

16. AGREE. I donate several times per year and am a Passport member.

I LOVE PBS! (You can also name them as a beneficiary for your various financials if you choose)

[h2ebits]

17. And. . . .if you donate, you will get to see entire seasons of shows before they show on regular network tv

PBS has such an excellent setup and their "Passport" is the best. I love PBS. I've never had cable--just use an antenna and a ROKU stick.

[DBoon]

18. Watch Heull Howser to find out all the great things to do in California

From the Yosemite Valley to the best donut shop.

[BaronChocula]

20. What do you have against the Antiques Roadshow?

Just kidding.

I give a humble sum monthly to PBS and for some time they continued to waste paper by mailing me solicitations. So I called them and told them to stop with the mailers or my donation would stop. I have so far saved a fraction of a tree.

[Texin]

21. Mr.Bee, I totally agree. I've loved PBS/NPR and our local affiliate since I was about 15 - and I'm pushing 72 now.

I listen(ed) to the local NPR station KERA in the mornings for the BBC News Hour and it presented information about the war in Gaza and everything else that one can't get on any commercial broadcast stations, whether local or nationwide. KERA doesn't air the BBC News Hour at its regular time slot (or any other that I'm aware of), but chose instead to replace it with a locally produced news roundup primarily about North Texas area news and events. It's a fine program, but I am sort of tired of only hearing local things. It's like staring into one's own belly button all the time. I liked the international perspective.

[Mr.Bee]

23. Me Too

Pushing 72!

I turn it on in the afternoons to watch those great shows from Sunday Night.
Grantchester, Downton Abbey, Bookish

[SergeStorms]

22. I've been a sustaining member....

for over 30 years. I get to watch nearly everything on demand, and with the dearth of quality programming on the rest of television, I take advantage of it, believe me.
When I turn on the television PBS is my "home" channel.
It's a great investment, and when The Big Orange Baby cut their funding I doubled my monthly pledge. Up yours, Trump.

[Mr.Bee]

24. Okay, we have to get the word out to those NON-Viewers!

[SergeStorms]

28. Just about everyone....

knows what PBS is. What most don't realize is how incredibly necessary it is for underprivileged kids.

I'm 77 yrs. old. I watch NOVA, Frontline, Nature, Masterpiece, Independent Lens, Antiques Roadshow etc. and so many local PBS productions. But it's the children's' programming for which I actually subscribe.

There are so many kids that only get local channels by antenna, and PBS programming is sometimes the only educational childrens' shows they see.

I consider it an investment in our country's children, and - after all - they're the future. It's really a small price to pay. You can give as little as you can afford, or as much as you want. But it all makes a difference.

That's my take on it anyway.

[allegorical oracle]

34. I especially like Frontline's deep dives. Earlier this season I watched the segment on

RFK Jr. Geesh...it blew my mind. He was selling heroin and cocaine while he attended Harvard -- sold speedballs, which combines both drugs. Plus, the program delved into the suicide of his second wife (she hanged herself) and his sex addiction. He didn't come out of that program looking very good at all.

[summer_in_TX]

39. Good point - and it's the only children's program not trying to sell them something.

All children's shows on commercial television are aimed at selling them on something. Then of course the kid turns to their parents to beg for the sugary cereal or toy they just saw.

[KPN]

25. Wow, coincidentally, I just became a sustaining member via my local station within the past hour after

watching a documentary on line about the life of a human rights activist whom I just happen to have had an association with many years ago.

I agree with you 100% Mr.Bee -- I've been meaning to do this for quite some time, and watching that documentary finally pushed me to action.

[SamuelAdams]

26. I love PBS!

They have great home improvement shows This Old House and Ask This Old House. You can save a lot of money doing your own repairs.

[Mr.Bee]

27. Yes! Yes! Yes!

I'll Have What He's Having!

[synni]

29. I began donating to PBS when I was in my early teens

As a child, I grew up with educational programming like Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and Villa Allegre. PBS should be a big part of the life of every educated person.

[catchnrelease]

30. One of my favorite things about PBS

I've been a subscriber for many years, but just recently have done more searching through their lesser known programs. I've started watching shows that are about the environment and today's world. What I love is that a lot of their new programs are positive and encouraging, not just doom and gloom. (we have enough of that already!) Things like Shared Planet--how humans can share the planet with other species, Wilding--about a British couple that are returning their 400yr old estate to a natural state to be able to keep it running, and Human Footprint. That has biologist Shane Campbell-Staton, a most delightful host, who travels the world examining the impacts that our species has on the world, and things individuals are doing to improve the impacts.

Always the classics like Masterpiece, Mystery and other UK offerings. But yes, someone mentioned the Walter programs! Some great things there if you can do sub-titles or speak a foreign language.

[summer_in_TX]

42. The absolutely most fascinating show my husband and I ever saw on PBS is "My Life as a Turkey."

It's an episode of Nature from back in 2011. Gorgeous scenery beautifully filmed. It follows a naturalist named Jim Hutto who has a local farmer leave a bowl of eggs for him on his porch. He'd been interested in animal imprinting, so he decided to hatch the eggs and ensure that the hatching chicks imprinted on him. He takes on the challenge of being a good and protective turkey "parent" and to help them learn to forage and protect themselves. A lot of funny experiences in the process. The experience was transformative for him and just the most amazing, awesome documentary I've ever seen. My husband and I keep recommending it.

It should be available through Passport or the PBS app until late November.

https://www.pbs.org/video/nature-my-life-as-a-turkey/

[Sedona]

31. Wolf Hall

Season 1

?si=DkS41iD4OAqeahMh

Season 2

?si=9j1UcZ0SdllqtAR3

[allegorical oracle]

35. That series was fantastic.... nt

[MLAA]

32. I'm currently streaming the British series Patience on PBS app. It's excellent.

Recently watched the remake of The Count of Monte Cristo and it was extremely well down. I haven’t seen a PBS series yet that wasn’t extremely well done.

[murielm99]

43. Patience is a good one.

I stumbled onto it by accident.

[catchnrelease]

44. If you can handle sub titles/captions

Check out the original French series Astrid. Patience is the English language version. I loved Astrid, the main actress is phenominal imo. I couldn't get into Patience myself, but I know lots of people like it. I think Astrid is one of the 'Walter' shows.

[pansypoo53219]

33. NPR too. tho i have to go online too delete preznit asshat.

[4bonhoffer]

36. yes, BUT

been supporting PBS since it's inception & will continueto do so. However, over the years with more & more corporate funding I've seen PBS lie by omission. That trend continues, they are still bending a knee where they never used to. I still support them because what they do say is reliable & they are an excellent starting point for news. At times they can be really good., but they are only a starting point for news where they used to be a place to get the whole story..there are numerous stories that in the past they would have covered in depth that they barely cover, if at all.

[Karasu]

40. Fuck the GQP for defunding it.

[summer_in_TX]

41. I've been pleased that PBS and NPR both have had numerous segments on propaganda, fascism,

and the erosion of our liberties.

A year or so ago here on DU I read a thread about how untrustworthy NPR was. I guess their station doesn't air the shows and segments I hear regularly.

My husband and I absolutely love NPR and always are asking one another if they heard what the other just heard. I've driven up and down my street before going home because I just had to listen to the rest of a fascinating story. So I couldn't understand why there was such negativity here on DU then.

I've started to wonder though if there might be an active campaign to undermine trust in reliable news sources like PBS and NPR. There has certainly been a campaign to undermine trust in other media, so it seems likely.

My libertarian son thinks NPR is full of propaganda – but he follows Joe Rogan and used to follow Alex Jones. Not sure he'd recognize real propaganda from trustworthy content at all.

Not that PBS and NPR are perfect, but they do present a fuller picture and ensure viewers/listeners hear points of view from a range of sources. And they carry far more than news of course, so much rich, fascinating stories.

[Historic NY]

45. I regularly watch PBS for all thing especially their liove coverage of political stuff.

Masterpiece is sanity.