An Essential Service 

I’m often asked how much federal funding we rely on here at WTVP PBS. The answer is about 30%. Which means 70% of our operational funding comes from member donations. That’s right, 70%!  I am constantly amazed by the generosity and support shown to us by our members and viewers. You believe in the power of meaningful and purposeful content. And at WTVP we believe that now, more than ever, we provide an essential service to our community.  

The average American spends 7 hours daily in front of screens (Backlinko.com). And the content that is constantly popping up and vying for our attention, often has no “nutrients” in it. It is not designed to help us learn something new, connect with our local community, or grow to be our best self. Rather, it distracts us and takes us down an unhealthy rabbit-hole of reactivity, cheap laughs, and emotional highs and lows.  

Mainstream entertainment knows that what we offer is better. Last week I nostalgically revisited a sitcom episode from about 10 years ago. The older brother in the family was realizing he desperately needed to start learning how to “be smart” if he wanted to make it through college. The younger brother promised to help him, and began by sitting him down on the couch, turning on the TV, and saying “Let’s start with PBS.”  

We start with PBS – because for over 50 years, it has provided the American people of all ages with the very best in educational programming, period. Thank you for continuing to support WTVP!  We are here because of viewers like you.  

 

JENN