Remember a time not too long ago when PBS ONLY did a pledge drive ONCE per year???

I watch a lot of PBS, and there seems to be now a "continious" pledge drive going on.

Last night an "oldies" program of "The British Invasion" was on from 8-10PM. A program hosted by Petula Clark (love her btw ) with vintage clips from Top Of The Pops, Hubabaloo, Ed Sullivan, Jukebox Jury, American Bandstand...... along with current interviews, recent performances.....a fun documentary right???????

WRONG.

Five minutes into it, they cut and go to the local PBS station and GUILT me terribly about PBS needing "your donation" in order to continue to bring us, the American public....great shows like this.

This went on for about fifteen minutes, then.....back to the show. 32 minutes later as the same thing.

PBS NEVER does this when "PBS Newshour" is on, or with "Nature"

The show was actually about an hour, and with all the "breaks" for fundraising it took two hours. I was mad.

They did the same thing with "Inspector Lewis" last week on Masterpiece Theater as well. They never do this when "Keeping Up Appearances" is on.....

just annoyed by it that's all.

I made the mistake of pledging a donation to WTTW Chicago one time because I really wanted to see Peter Paul and Marry at the World music theater, fifth row center, they were great, but the incessant hounding to pledge more was unbearable.

It's getting now out of hand. I'm already a "sustaining member" of my local PBS station (they deduct 100 bux a month from my bank account)

A bit peeved to hear that the CFO of PBS in California makes over 750K per year....

I’m not old enough to remember when PBS only did pledge drives once a year, but they do seem to have gotten more frequent in the last few years. Plus, it used to be called “pledge week” – now it’s pretty much pledge month. This current one is only two weeks, but a lot of the recent ones have stretched for three weeks. I only ever watch American’s Test Kitchen, Austin City Limits, and the occasional music program, so it doesn’t really affect me all that much. PBS broadcasts too much programming geared toward old people anyway. I’m pretty sure everyone who would’ve watched The Lawrence Welk Show is either dead or enfeebled, yet they continue to broadcast that program every week. Don’t get me started on Rick Steves’ Europe either: I’m glad that douche is able to enjoy free trips to Europe paid for by donors and taxpayers.

This is what happens when the right comes into power.

That's funny youngagegroup....PBS in its current form was setup by the Nixon administration in 1969. Nixon a Republican, and called "far, extreme right" at the time......

PBS needs to start trimming salaries, benefits and "perks" to help streamline costs. The "right" so to speak only controlls congress......the Democrats control the White House and the Senate........

the blanket statement you made really isn't appropriate for this situation.

PBS does have a tough job....they have to cater to a very large "public" and their tastes vary, and their markets vary.

It's supposed top be "commerical free" but between programs and station id's....before a program it's now a few minutes of "Nature is brought you by the Ford Motor Company, at Ford quality is job one; and AMD corportaion. AMD feeding America and the world; additional sponsorship from Wells Fargo Bank. It's today's multinational economy, and Wells fargo is there with you...........and....the list goes on, and finally the acknowledgement from PBS with the line "by viewers like you"

Not even ten years ago, there was maybe ONE short statement, or just a list of the companies that helped sponsor the show. Today it's turning into a three to five minute block of commercials in some cases. Call it what it is. Commercials.

The right back then was more left than the LEFT today.

Nixon "left"?

because you are "young" I'll just let that statement pass........

Did you look at the chart I posted?

That's no joke. Nixon was a right-wing asshole. PBS is a liberal outlet for all the lefties these days.