PBS proposes to interrupt primetime shows with promo and underwriting credits

[Newsjock]

Source: Current.org

PBS will begin breaking into programs with underwriting and promo spots four times per hour on an experimental basis beginning this fall, it told station members at the PBS National Meeting here.

The move could be controversial for the network, which has traditionally prided itself on offering uninterrupted programming over its 40-year history.

In the trial run of the proposed format change, Nova and Antiques Roadshow will have breaks at approximately five, 20, 40 and 55 minutes after the start of an hourlong program. National underwriting will run at five and 55; national or local spots promoting programs or other pubTV services will be inserted at 20 and 40. Sources say the shows were selected as they are the most easily segmented to accommodate the interruptions.

The immediate purpose of the proposal is not to squeeze in a significant amount of underwriting time.Program content time will remain unchanged at 50 minutes, 10 seconds. PBS says its objective is to clear away underwriting and promo spots from the beginning and end of programs so that viewers are more likely to see a little of the next program and stay tuned rather than tuning away to catch the start of programs on other channels.

Read more: http://www.current.org/pbs/pbs1111interrupt.html

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Why don't they just sell ads, let the moneybags corporations ENTIRELY

dictate their programming, and be done with it?

[Romulox]

4. I see the same commercials on PBS that I do on CNBC et al.

The only difference USED to be when they were run (at the beginning and end of programs.) If they intersperse the commercials with the programs, they'll be hard to differentiate from commercial stations.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. .

:thumbsdown:

[Romulox]

3. Hmmm...4 interruptions an hour to view commercial messages.

In other words, just another channel. :shrug:

[PotatoChip]

5. Not a fan of this idea.

However, I can't help but wonder if they are proposing this in light of the R attack on State funding of PBS stations. In Maine, Tea Party backed Gov. LePage is attempting to strip 4 million dollars worth of state funding from PBS. 4 million may not sound like much, but it is a sizable portion of their budget.

This may be happening in other states as well. If so, it wouldn't surprise me if we see a change in the way they operate.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. Oh, I'm sure you're right about the causes here.

But selling your soul to the commercial interests doesn't seem to be the right answer. PBS is already pretty hamstrung and conservative.

[damntexdem]

6. I've already stopped listening to my local NPR station.

Although I listen to two other public stations (jazz and classical) that are not NPR. Now it looks like my minimal watching of PBS will cease altogether.