You’ve seen the logo flashed before PBS shows, but the Corporation for Public Broadcasting got its start with an act of Congress, which was signed by Lyndon Johnson 47 years ago on November 7, 1967. The CPB is organized as a non-profit corporation funded almost exclusively by government dollars. Following its creation, the CPB helped establish the Public Broadcasting System in 1969 and National Public Radio in 1970.

Contrary to popular belief, PBS and NPR aren’t government-sponsored broadcasters. While their affiliate stations do receive money from the CPB, the majority of their budget comes from donations solicited from their audiences (a.k.a. “Viewers Like You”). CPB grants make up on average 15-20% of the costs to run a public broadcasting station.

Still, the presence of any government funding has opened public broadcasters up to charges of political bias. The usual claim is that PBS and NPR programming leans too far left, but not always. In 2002 and 2003, audiences of both NPR and PBS were polled and reported that they mostly saw no bias in the programming…and those who did were split over whether the bias was liberal or conservative. (For what it’s worth, the CPB’s board of directors can’t have more than five of its nine seats filled by presidential appointees from the same political party.)

Whatever might be said about news and commentary, there’s little controversy to be found around public broadcasting content like “Sesame Street,” “Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood,” "This American Life," or “A Prairie Home Companion,” and the fact that they’re all brought to you commercial-free makes for a nice change of pace from the rest of the radio or TV dial. Except during pledge drive season…but hey, life’s full of tradeoffs. Having Cookie Monster beg for a few dollars every now and then is just part of the deal.

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