Opinion : Letter to the Editor: PBS and NPR

To The Editor,

It is not surprising that the Editor does not know what is on PBS and NPR. You would have to be willing to want to learn something to turn on the channel.

The beginning of public television started with government support to provide quality programming without the intrusion of advertising dollars interfering with the content. The agreement was that PBS would be prohibited in selling commercial advertising and to provide programming to remote areas that were not receiving commercial stations. This was the deal that was struck. The stations raise money through memberships, corporate, nonprofit, and individual support. Several years ago, the government allowed PBS to sell advertising but that advertising is only allowed at the beginning and end of programs. As a regular viewer of PBS & listener of NPR, I as well as many others, appreciate not watching 5 minutes of programming followed by 6-7 minutes of ads. Despite what you think, there are areas in the remote west where access to TV stations is limited. Public broadcasting provides those areas with information critical in times of disasters.

I am one of the millions who do watch PBS. Depending on what programs are airing, there are times when my entire evening will stay on the PBS station. The vast array of options provides quality programming and laughs. The British comedies are some of my favorites. Who can resist Mrs. Bucket, (that is pronounced Bouquet) and her continual plans to impress her neighbors. Or the wacky characters on The Vicar of Dibley, As Time Goes By, or Last of the Summer Wine. My all-time favorite laugh came from Vicar of Dibley when during the marriage ceremony of the really wacky couple, a woman busts through the door and yells, "Stop this wedding. The groom is my husband." The groom turns around and the woman totally embarrassed says, "Sorry, wrong church." The bride has to be scooped up from the floor from fainting, as the congregation looks stunned. It was hilarious.

But there is a lot more to PBS, excellent documentaries, drama, music and more. If you are not a regular view of PBS then you are missing a lot. Here is a list of just a few of the options, all without the annoying advertising breaks for things you do not need or want.

PBS' programming includes:

PBS News Hour- an hour-long news program much the same as the network's daily news programs, Investigation journalism Frontline-an awarding program that provides in depth information on a variety of topics, Washington Week in Review, Iowa PressAmerican Experience-documentary of topics important to American history including, Eyes on the Prize-multi episodes detailing the fight for Civil Rights, The Building of the Brooklyn Bridge, The Dust Bowl, Woodstock, Chasing the Moon and many, many more,

Ken Burns Collection including the award-winning Civil War, World War II, Vietnam War, Baseball, American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin, Country Music, Prohibition, Jackie Robinson, The Statue of Liberty, The Roosevelts, Muhammed Ali, Thomas Jefferson, National Parks, Jazz to name few.

Science: Nova, Nature, Walking with Dinosaurs

Drama: Masterpiece Theatre, Downton Abbey, Upstairs/Downstairs, Poldark, Grantchester, All Creatures Great & Small, Doc Martin, Call the Midwife, 6-part Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, Broadchurch and many more.

Finding Your Roots-Genealogy research on notable people, Antiques Roadshow, Austin City Lights, American Masters, Father Brown, Great Performances, original French Chef Julia Child, variety of other food shows, Midsomer Murders

Programming on various programs about Iowa and our people

Children's programming

Sesame Street, Wild Katts, The Odd Squad, original Mister Roger's Neighborhood, Arthur, Curious George, The Magic School bus, and many, many, more.

Rosemary Schwartz