Why does PBS have almost no insighful documentaries any more?

[bobweaver]

Such as "Cadillac Desert" or "The Great Depression" or that special about the Johnstown flood, or that Frontline episode that showed the Gingrich - Limbaugh relationship, for 3 examples. What has happened to PBS that they only put on the most timid nature specials and avoid political stuff, even if it is about events that happened decades ago?

[Lautremont]

1. I would guess the word "funding" would be involved in any explanation

The so-and-so corporation wouldn't like their logo opening up for a "controversial" exposure of right-wing wankery.

[Liberal In Texas]

2. Not enough money and afraid of rocking the boat

with the corporate donors.

[punpirate]

9. I'm not sure money is the primary problem....

Every once in a while, a years-old email begins to circulate about the Gingrich bunch jerking CPB's funding and CPB always says, no, that's old, between all sources of funding, we're in good shape.

It's much more likely political and corporate.

The other issue might be what programming local stations can afford to pick up. PBS continues to offer POV, for example, but a number of smaller stations don't carry it due to cost.

Cheers.

[Liberal In Texas]

16. Yes, I think the politics has had a chilling effect as well.

The barrage of RW hate against PBS can't help to make them think twice before they fund a cutting-edge investigation and similar projects.

It's a shame, because the main-stream media is either afraid to do their jobs, or is controlled by large corporate interests who are more interested in the bottom line.

TRUTH remains obscure, hidden, or repressed. It's a shame.

[BiggJawn]

3. Afraid of pissing-off their underwiters (advertisers) and Congress.

Congress has made it plain to PBS: Piss-off our campaign contributors, and we'll jerk a knot in your oxygen hose.

[lenidog]

4. Maybe people got tired of it.

or your standards for what a documenatary is are too high. I even I who constantly read about what is going on in politics today (and of the past) sometimes get burned out. Your statement makes me think of the book I finished yesterday called "What If" its the third in a series. The first dealt with world military history, the second with world social and political events and the latest with American history. OF them all the American one was in my opinion the poorest of the series. The writers especially as we got closer to the modern age seemed less interested in "what if" and more interested in their own personal views on politcal figures. The other books were thought provoking these were just down pathetic. EVEN when I agreed with them.

[poe]

5. pbs board of directors

the primary reason i would suggest is who sits on the board of directors of the CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING. this outfit dictates the agenda for pbs radio and television. pbs has always been a rather milquetoast affair but look into a chap named kevin kloss (sp?) who was the head of this CPB board last time i checked. he was the driving force for the american propaganda outlet radio free europe and other u.s. military radio outfits, a real PR schlepp.

[imenja]

6. Frontline still does some good programs

I liked the one "Chasing the Sleeper Cell" on the Buffalo terrorism suspects. The election piece, "The Choice 2004" was also good. They did a similar one in 2000.
PBS in general has gone downhill. For one thing, my local time spends an enormous amount of time fund raising. They run the same canned programs and preempt what I normally like to watch, like "Charlie Rose," in favor of some tired show on Bee Bob or the Wrinkle Cure.
Apparently NOW has been demoted to a half hour show since Bill Moyers left. At least it was only 30 minutes last week.
I expect part of the absence of good programing is that documentary film makers today have more venues for their work, like HBO and even theatrical release. Funding must play a role in it, since government subsidies have been cut considerably.
You'll notice that PBS also doesn't do the good dramatic specials that they used to.

[lenidog]

8. Good point

I mean with all the channels out there devoted to nothing but documentaries and who will show documentaries (like HBO) PBS is kinda losing its niche in the world. Even its series like "Mystery" and all that encompasses most of them can make it on BBC American since most of them were made by the BBC.

[BrklynLiberal]

7. CPR isgetting totally overrun by the rightwing. Tucker Anderson now has a

show called Unfiltered on PBS!! They are being totally rightwinged.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Look for P.O.V, Wide Angle, Independent Lens, and Frontline

These all produce good documentaries. Finding them on the schedule can be a challenge, though. I enjoy Nova, too, except when it gets on its military kicks.

These days, the best documentaries are on HBO and the Sundance Channel. Neither of these is basic cable, though, so relatively few people see them.

Have you noticed how the basic and extended basic stations have been steadily dumbed down over the years?

[BiggJawn]

14. Those are the "after midnight" programs...

Like "Now!" used to be. Bill Moyer used to run at 11:00 on Friday night. I ain't young like I used to be...

[anitar1]

11. PBS Is being Slowly Taken Over

by the right wingnuts. Haven't you noticed?

[Ron Green]

13. They now have full-fledged commercials, not just the "underwriters"

announcements they had in the past. It's not quite to the point of screaming "No money down!" yet, but that can't be too far away.

[AngryOldDem]

15. A lot of people have

and have been protesting long and loud to the local PBS affiliate here, who is pleading ignorance. I look for contributions to drop off significantly this year.

[bobweaver]

12. So then why don't they change it to "Private Broadcasting System."