Who are the main players in public broadcasting?

• Public Broadcasting Service
• National Public Radio
• The Corporation for Public Broadcasting
• The Association for Public Television Stations

How are these organizations connected?
This map (pdf) explains the connections between each of these organizations.

What is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting?
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is a private, nonprofit corporation whose formation was authorized by Congress in 1967 to promote noncommercial broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,000 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations nationwide.

The nine members of the CPB Board serve six-year terms and are appointed by the president with the consent of the Senate. The CPB’s principal function is to receive the annual federal appropriation from the Treasury Department and to disburse it to public radio and television stations.

What is the history of public broadcasting funding?
The practice of annual congressional appropriations for the CPB continued until the passage of the Public Broadcasting Financing Act of 1975. This bill set up a “public broadcasting fund” and authorized appropriations for the period of 1975-1980. Actual appropriations came separately, with yearly appropriations bills providing funding two years in advance. This practice of two-year advance appropriations continues today.

How much does the CPB give to public broadcasting?
The CPB’s operating budget for Fiscal Year 2007 was $412 million. This funding was distributed to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), National Public Radio (NPR) and more than a thousand public radio and TV stations around the country.

How much does the federal government spend on public broadcasting?
In 2004, all federal spending for public broadcasting amounted to approximately $500 million. This is about $1.70 per person in the United States. This amount is very small in comparison to what is spent in other countries.

How are stations funded?
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting receives funding from Congress and then distributes the funds to each public television and radio station directly. The amount each station receives is determined by the 1981 amended version of the 1967 Public Broadcasting Act according to a complicated formula that takes into account the number of public stations per market and the number of viewers per station. On average, stations receive 15 percent of their funding from CPB, but some receive more and some less.

What is PBS?
PBS is a private, nonprofit corporation, founded in 1969, whose members are America's public TV stations. PBS provides quality TV programming and related services to 355 noncommercial stations serving all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. 168 noncommercial, educational licensees operate the 355 PBS member stations.

How is PBS programming acquired?
Programs are obtained from PBS stations, independent producers and sources around the world. PBS does not produce programs. The National Programming Service is the major package of programs that PBS distributes to its member stations. With the addition of digital channels, PBS will be seeking additional programming.

How many people watch PBS?
In an average week, some 80 million people in almost 50 million households watch public television. Most American households (67%) and more than 133 million people tune into public television each month.

What is NPR?
National Public Radio produces and distributes noncommercial news, talk, and entertainment programming. It is a privately supported, not-for-profit membership organization.

How many people listen to NPR?
NPR has an audience of more than 26 million Americans each week in partnership with more than 860 independently operated, noncommercial public radio stations.

How does PBS rank for trustworthiness?
Compared to commercial broadcasting or cable networks, Americans consider PBS news and public affairs programming the most trustworthy and objective. More than 40 percent of Americans polled by Roper ranked PBS as the most-trusted source for news and public affairs programs. In another poll, 90 percent found that PBS provides “high quality programming.”

Do Americans view public broadcasting as biased?
In another poll, 80 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that PBS was “fair and balanced.” 55 percent found the same to be true of National Public Radio (NPR).

How do Americans feel about the cost of PBS?
The cost of public broadcasting (TV and radio) for the entire year is $1.70 per person. By comparison, the average cable bill is over $481 per year, with premium channels and digital packages costing even more. According to a recent Roper poll, the majority of the public (51%) believe the amount of federal funding PBS receives is “too little.” Most Americans (82%) believe that public and private funding given to PBS from government, corporations and individuals is “money well spent.” The American public considers PBS the second-best use of tax dollars, ranking below only military defense.