It's a commonplace view that audiences don't want educational or other quality TV shows, but I wonder about the accuracy of that premise. Advertisers give people what they want. But first advertising persuades them to want it. All the great commercial successes of American business history reflect an underlying vision that people will want something they didn't then have and didn't necessarily ask for.
Government can provide certain structures that can jumpstart the process.
Making that impossibility and inevitability and then a commonplace would be the act of genius. Perhaps you will form partnerships between advertisers and production companies to put real resources into developing high-quality kids' shows. Perhaps you'll set aside quantifiable amounts of advertising dollars to underwrite educational shows, or develop ethical guidelines for kids' shows. I'd like to see broadcasters come to Washington not to be woodshedded or jawboned. I'd like to see them come to Washington for awards as teachers of the year.