Kerger Calls PBS Hopeful of Increased Federal Funding
PASADENA, Calif. -- PBS CEO Paula Kerger indicated she’s hopeful that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting may get an increase in federal funding. Public broadcasters are “still working through our appropriation process … and it appears that we are advanced-funded,” Kerger said on the summer TV press tour. “So we know what our funding is for next year, which was a slight increase.” She said the funding is at $430 million. “We are hoping 450 million. Public radio and public television have gone to the Hill to make a request for some funds to go directly to the stations over the course of the fall to try to help stations stabilize.”
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Kerger said many stations showed increased their fundraising during annual drive in June. “I think that’s a positive sign, but I think none of us are crystal ball gazers.” Acknowledging heavy competition for federal dollars, Kerger said she’s hopeful of a slight increase. “And if we get some funding for emergency purposes for the stations, I think that will be tremendously helpful.”
Kerger said the same downsizing uncertainty facing the newspaper industry is affecting PBS stations. “Whether these are, in fact, cyclical or, in fact, the world has changed is, I think, very much an open question,” she said, adding that some stations have cut jobs and PBS reduced its staff 10 percent a month ago. She said some stations’ state money has been cut, and some stations are affiliated with universities whose endowments have decreased. Corporate funding is difficult for everyone, and public TV isn’t exempt, and philanthropy has been challenged in many markets, she said.
Kerger expressed concern that the arts would be a victim of economic pressures. “I do worry that in tough economic times, there are people that think the arts are dispensable.” She noted that some of the greatest art was created in the era coming out of the Great Depression.
PBS and other broadcasters continue to adjust to audience fragmentation, Kerger said. PBS content is offered on almost 20 platforms, including the iPhone and the PBS online video portal, which has more than 500 hours of free content from all the signature series, she said. Of great concern to Kerger was children’s programming. “I'm concerned about the implications of the Discovery-Hasbro partnership. I'm pleased that Julius Genachowski, the FCC’s new chairman, wants to revisit the Children’s Television Act.” The act requires broadcasters to air at least three hours of educational children’s content per week. According to Kerger, PBS stations air no fewer than seven hours of commercial-free, educational kids TV each weekday.
PBS is also using the Internet to advance local stations, Kerger said. “We're working with our local stations to create an environment so they can put local programming alongside the national programming and link them together.” She announced that that PBS’s Web site will relaunch next year. “We're looking for ways to really take the great work that has been developed and bring it to a much wider audience. These programs should have a life more than a single television broadcast.”