Survey: U.S. public television and NJTV

The survey below is to solicit feedback about the status of U.S. public television and New Jersey Public Television, (NJTV), as they face funding issues. Public television has a specific role in journalism as it seeks to localize programs and provide safe content for families and other viewers.

NJTV features various local programs on its broadcast schedule that include: Public Broadcasting Service, (PBS), series such as Charlie Rose, American Masters, Nature and BBC World News America. The station also airs various local or state-centric news such as Reporter’s Roundtable with Michael Aron, and NJToday with Mike Schneider. These newscasts show stories from around New Jersey, the Garden State.

However, public television stations are usually in jeopardy whenever Federal and State governments are facing budget crises. Thus, public television stations have to try to pick programs that will earn syndication revenues and also try to generate some back-end revenues from the sale of books, videos, toys or clothing.

NJTV replaced New Jersey Network, (NJN), when it emerged July 1, 2011, after the governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, determined that the State would no longer fund NJN. Several public broadcasting stations in the United States face similar fates.

Recently, PBS and National Public Radio, (NPR), had a campaign called 170 Million Americans For Public Broadcasting, where they sought to save federal funding for Corporation for Public Broadcasting, (CPB).

The House, Labor Health and Human Services, (LHHS), Appropriations Subcommittee wanted to gradually phase out and eliminate all federal funding for public broadcasting in America. Public broadcasting has been negotiating and soliciting support to remain on the air and carry out its mission that includes entertaining and educating.