FORA TV: The Internet Season 4 Episode 8

Ep 8. Paula Kerger: Can PBS Survive a YouTube World?

  • TV-NR
  • January 14, 2008
  • 63 min

In this episode of FORA TV: The Internet, host Fara Warner sits down with Paula Kerger, the President and CEO of PBS, to discuss the challenges facing public television in the age of YouTube and digital media. Kerger shares her insights about the role of public broadcasting, its value to society, and the ways in which PBS is working to stay relevant in a rapidly changing media landscape.

Kerger explains that although PBS has diverse content, audience demographics, and funding sources, the network's mission remains the same: to inform, educate, and inspire viewers of all ages. She notes that PBS is committed to providing programming that is high-quality, trustworthy, and commercially free, but also acknowledges that the public broadcaster needs to adapt to modern viewing habits and technological advances in order to remain competitive.

One of the key challenges facing PBS, according to Kerger, is the need to reach younger and more diverse audiences. She points out that while PBS has a loyal following among older viewers, it has struggled to attract millennials and viewers of color. To address this issue, Kerger says PBS is investing in more diverse programming, including shows like "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr." and "America By The Numbers With Maria Hinojosa." She also notes that PBS is working with online platforms like YouTube and PBS Digital Studios to create content that is more engaging and shareable.

Kerger also discusses the importance of public funding for PBS, noting that federal support has declined in recent years. She defends the role of public broadcasting, arguing that it is a valuable public service that provides content that cannot be found elsewhere. She also notes that PBS has a strong track record of leveraging public funding to attract private sector support.

The conversation also turns to the political tensions around funding for public broadcasting. Kerger notes that while there has been some legislative pushback against funding for PBS, she is heartened by the fact that the American public continues to support public broadcasting and its mission. She also highlights the importance of local stations in providing programming tailored to local audiences and the role that these stations play in promoting civic engagement.

Throughout the interview, Kerger maintains a positive outlook about the future of PBS, noting that the network has a long history of resilience and innovation. She believes that PBS can continue to thrive in a YouTube world by remaining true to its mission, embracing technological advances, and engaging with audiences in new and meaningful ways.

Overall, this episode of FORA TV: The Internet provides a thoughtful and engaging discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing public broadcasting in the digital age. Kerger's insights and experiences as the head of PBS provide a valuable perspective on how the network is navigating these challenges and adapting to changing viewer habits and preferences.

Description
Watch FORA TV: The Internet - Paula Kerger: Can PBS Survive a YouTube World? (s4 e8) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
FORA TV: The Internet, Season 4 Episode 8, is available to watch and stream on FORA.tv. You can also buy, rent FORA TV: The Internet on demand at Amazon online.
  • First Aired
    January 14, 2008
  • Content Rating
    TV-NR
  • Runtime
    63 min
  • Language
    English