Texas PBS is a non-profit association of the 11 Texas public television stations. The stations work together to sustain public media and produce content relevant to Texans.
Mission
Texas PBS builds a vibrant public broadcasting platform throughout Texas by:
• Cultivating financial resources for local affiliates,
• Spearheading collaborations among stations,
• Illuminating public issues through relevant program content, and
• Advocating for policies that support robust public media.
Public media, through its community-based programming and services, continues to be a unifying force in Texas culture, a lens through which we can view and understand our diverse nation and world. In 2020 — for the 17th consecutive year — the Roper Media poll shows that Americans view PBS stations as the most trusted organizations among all nationally known institutions.
Impact
Every month over half of all Americans use public media. Public television has a monthly broadcast audience of 121.9 million people. Texas PBS stations reach more than 90 percent of Texans and potentially 25 million viewers, including multicultural and rural communities, families, kids, teachers and engaged Texans. (Source: Nielsen NTINPower October 2014 Total Day 6a-6a Reach US Persons 2+)
What is public media?
Public broadcasting is local. Stations are locally licensed and governed, locally programmed, and locally staffed. In rural parts of Texas, public broadcasting is the only source of free local, national and international news, public affairs, and cultural programming.
Public broadcasting supports lifelong learning for all Texans. Investments in children’s educational, cultural, public affairs and news programming, digital classroom resources, teacher training, and distance learning have made public broadcasting a leader in lifelong learning.
Public broadcasting engages more than half of all Americans every month. 170 million Americans connect nationally through 368 public television stations including 12 stations in Texas, 934 public radio stations, hundreds of online services, and in-person events and activities(1).
Public broadcasting is a great investment. Unlike public broadcasting systems throughout the world, America’s public broadcasters do not rely upon the government as their primary source of funding(2). On average, federal funding amounts to less than 14 percent of a station’s budget, with the remaining 86 percent coming from local sources(3).
Public broadcasting is one of the most effective public/private partnerships in America. Annual federal funding amounts to only $1.35 per American and is leveraged by local stations to raise six times that amount from other sources.
Public broadcasting is more important than ever. The rapidly changing media environment is making public broadcasting more and more vital as a source of unbiased news, local cultural programming, and non-commercial educational programs designed to enhance the quality of life of our local communities. Public broadcasting is a source of children’s programming, public affairs, music, and culture information that is often not provided by other sources.
Public broadcasting strengthens our democracy. The free flow of ideas and debate helps us participate in the political process as informed citizens.
Public broadcasting provides vital programming for parents and children. While certainly there are other media options for parents and children, only public broadcasting offers children’s programming free from commercial messages. Public broadcasting has the best interests of children as its sole objective. This is one reason why parents and teachers trust public broadcasting, and why maintaining our public broadcasting system is so important.
Public Media embraces the digital future. Public broadcasting content is now available through broadcast, cable, satellite, satellite radio, the Internet, and wireless devices. Public broadcasting is committed to a multi-platform presence, to be available anywhere at anytime to the public it serves. Local stations partner with museums, libraries and other community organizations to make great content available to the public for free on mobile devices and online. They are teaming up with start-ups and innovators to break new ground in educational and informational materials.
(1) SOURCE: http://valuepbs.org/communities/220-million.php
(2) However, this federal support is critical seed money for local stations which leverage each federal dollar to raise over six more dollars from local sources in order to provide the American public with the highest quality programming and services.
(3) SOURCE: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Public Broadcasting Revenue, September 2009