In an environment where many can access more than 300 television stations, why do we need PBS and Valley Public Television? It’s really a four-part answer: access, localization, quality and public service. Together, they provide the value that is the hallmark of PBS and Valley Public Television.

Access

Despite the proliferation of channels, the U.S. General Accounting Office estimates that nearly 20 percent of U.S. households rely exclusively on free, over-the-air television. In the Central San Joaquin Valley, that number increase to more than 30 percent.

Statistics also tells us that nearly half of these households have incomes of less than $30,000. While the annual per capita cost of public television is about $1.50, the average annual cable bill is about $600.

The Valley Public Television signal is there for those without access to satellite or cable service.

Localization

Valley Public Television and other local PBS stations produce an amazing array of programs on local and regional history and culture that may not otherwise garner enough national interest to warrant duplication by cable outlets. KVPT also routinely provides locally-focused public affairs programs, including timely coverage of local candidate debates and forums – a niche that has nearly disappeared from local network affiliates and is seldom offered on cable channels.

Quality

Public television is still unmatched in quality, particularly in the areas of children’s programming, news and documentary fare. PBS consistently receives more Emmy awards for children’s programming than all cable outlets combined.

Locally, KVPT is the most watched children’s channel, and one the parents trust. We provide a “safe haven” for children, free of commercials and violence. Our children’s programs are aired without interruption or advertising, making PBS the number one television and video resource for classroom use.

In-depth news coverage on crucial issues is consistently provided by such “gold standard” series as the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, FRONTLINE and NOVA, which cannot be matched by commercial networks where the relentless drive for ratings and advertisers means more superficial coverage and formats that feature confrontation rather than engagement.

Public Service and Outreach

Serving our audiences is at the core of everything we do. Providing information to engage the public is our mission. Many of our on-air offerings are extended by services and local outreach that national cable networks simply do not provide.

• Ready to Learn and Ready to Lead in Literacy are outreach programs that encourage parents and caregivers to limit TV time for their children, watch with the children and use our programs as a learning tool, along with related books and activities. KVPT conducts dozens of workshops annually for parents, teachers and caregivers, impacting thousands of children.
  
  

• PBS.org is the most frequently visited K-12 web site. Educators visit it more often then those from CNN, The New York Times, The Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institute.
  
  

• PBS.org features TeacherSource, an online one-stop resource for teachers to obtain more than 3,000 free lesson plans and activities, based on national and state standards.
  
  

• Valley Public television is currently involved in a Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign, including the airing of three programs on this subject and outreach services.