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Commercials suck. Well, there are some funny ones, but most of them suck. However, the constant asking for money on PBS annoys me more. It goes on and on and on. One person after another saying exactly the same thing. Trying to bribe you with 'free' gifts.
As a result, I only watch PBS if there is absolutely nothing else on TV.
How does everyone else feel about that? Public member supported or commercial TV?
Years ago, I used to donate to PBS regularly. But they got so bad in sending me begging letters in the mail too often, and calling me on the phone for money, I totally quit supporting them. I don't watch often now, seems every time I do, they're having a beg fest.
I didn't mind donating, but they seemed to be getting awful greedy, which really turned me off.
To me, if theres nothing on tv, and its THAT bad, I'll turn it off and find somethin else to do. PBS SUCKS. come to think of it, I dont even GET that station.
It's rare PBS has anything worth watching, and yes I agree it's the most irritating channel ever. I can't stand it - it seems that every ten minutes, they're begging for five minutes.
The Cream reunion concert shown last week was awesome, though - that was one of those rare occasions.
As a graduate student at Mizzou, my wife and I would donate to PBS to obtain the "supporting member" status which allowed us to purchase tickets to shows and speakers at a discounted price. We figured it out and the $100 donation saved us nearly $300 in reduced tickets!
I haven't given since I left Columbia MO as the local PBS station does not off as nice of a benefit and I don't support most of their political leanings.
The local PBS station has no financial problems. They produce most of the commercials seen on our local commercial stations, as they have the best production facilities. I like the idea of PBS and I enjoy some of their programming, but the one in Rochester sure ain't in need of my money, so I don't send 'em any.
Oh, they ask, even though they tried something a few years ago that WORKED, but they never did it again: they simply ran an ad now and then stating that if we all mailed enough money by a certain date, then they wouldn't go on the air and beg. They met their goal, but they never offered to do it again. I'm thinking the on-air egos had something to do with that....
The only way I support broadcasting is by paying my monthly Directv bill. There's plenty of stations to watch that don't beg for my money with them. Actually the shows I would watch on PBS I can find on other stations anyway. I'm not anti-PBS, I just have no use for it. To be honest, I'm supprised there is still a use for it at all.
I am with OSin86 on this one. As long as I send my check to the cable company, I feel that my duty is done. Especially since I hardly ever watch t.v. anyhow, much less PBS. My wife got all "charitable" a couple years ago and I still have cards in the mail from them begging for money, though the phone calls have stopped.
I can't complain about PBS. For a long while, the only times I saw Monty Python on television were on various PBS stations. PBS/NPR fund raising is no more annoying than commercials. (the bright side, if you want to annoy your mother-in-law, send PBS a donation in her name - make sure you include name, address and phone number on the money order)
I use to support PBS (NH) to the tune of $240+ a year mostly for the Dr.Who shows. There was a time where I allowed my children only to watch PBS. But, after watching and hating some of the slanted stuff that goes on (especially Arthur and Sesame Street) I pretty much ditched PBS and just watch TV on the commerical cartoon stations with my kids to police what they watch.
About the only kid's show on PBS I like is Cyber Chase.