As a result, they produce almost no hard-hitting documentaries or daring dramas. Even Sesame Street now has a corporate sponsor. The result is that Americans almost never see a television program that takes a hard, critical look at any of our society's dominant institutions. If you can remember as far back as the 1960's, you will recall that there was a time when even CBS, ABC, and NBC occasionally produced some outstanding public service programs, including some powerful documentaries on exploited migrant workers, civil rights, and poverty. The CBC produces some marvelous programs, including Fifth Estate and The Passionate Eye.
CBC radio is a gem.
Well, back to that government funding argument. These are the costs of soliciting advertising, producing the ads, and maintaining an entire department of people whose sole pursuit is to persuade corporations to put their ads on the air. All of that money becomes part of the cost of every product you buy. And that cost is not insignificant. The CBC, on the other hand, spends almost no money soliciting advertisements for their commercial-free programming.