But not everyone agrees that public TV remains valuable in a world where dozens of cable channels mimic the cooking, nature, history and educational children's programming that used to be PBS' almost exclusive bailiwick. That question persists, even though PBS programs are typically better financed and researched and can be seen in almost every household vs. cable's 60 percent to 70 percent reach. The Death of Public Broadcasting in the United States . Mr. Jarvik, like many conservatives, has accused PBS of having liberal leanings. At various times, he has called for selling the system to the highest bidder or forcing it to become self-sufficient.
Defenders point out that most of that revenue goes to the toy and game manufacturers.
Most of what's left is pumped back into the programs, and PBS has become better about getting its share. Mr. Ledbetter, a critic from the left, believes PBS has given in to right-wingers such as Mr. Jarvis by avoiding potentially controversial dramas and documentaries in favor of nature shows and by giving programs to such conservatives as Peggy Noonan, a former speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan. He also argues that corporate underwriters have had an undue influence on PBS programming. It has been at the forefront of TV technology, including the development of closed-captioning, and is going whole hog into the digital future. But it doesn't air enough independent productions, particularly documentaries, which has forced the government to create alternative sources of money for those projects, including the Independent Television Service.