Defunding of PBS

Written By: Leah Oake

Thumbnail and Banner Photo by Peter Geo on Unsplash

Warning: this article will cause some nostalgia, so prepare yourselves!

PBS, a public broadcasting service, has announced that due to the United States Government withdrawing its funding, the service will have to make the hard decision to shut down. The non-profit has been recognized for creating inspiring children's shows and high-quality media. The public broadcasting service is responsible for funding PBS, NPR and local public radio and TV stations. You may now listen to NPR for its Tiny Desk Concerts, which have featured artists like Doechii, Chappell Roan, and Harry Styles, to name a few. Public broadcasting services are vital resources. The rise of these services coincided with a heated period of political and social unrest (the Reagan-Thatcher era). It is notable to point that out in case the defunding resulted from this turmoil. These public broadcasting services were established in 1967; their influence and media have been prevalent in North America for three generations. The amount of media coverage that will be cut and gone after this defunding is completed is significant. In this article I will focus on the childhood shows that PBS provided and why they were important. PBS did not just produce generic media for children to consume; instead, their content focused on life lessons and well-constructed plot lines that helped cultivate young minds. Without channels like PBS, the value of children’s media would have lost an essential educational tool.

Some of the main aspects that PBS children's shows focused on were literary skills, interpersonal skills, and science skills. Many of the shows taught life lessons while incorporating diversity to help children be exposed to other cultures in meaningful ways.

The following shows focused on delivering the importance of literary skills in fun and engaging ways: Super Why, Word World, and Martha Speaks. Super Why ended in 2016, but it still airs on the television station. Each episode focused on a different fairytale and urged viewers to look for letters during the scenes to help figure out what the word they were searching for meant. The revelation of each word correlated to a message the episode was trying to convey. For example, if the word were kindness, the meaning of the episode would relate to kindness. Next, Word World, which ended in 2017. Like Super Why, it focused on the characters, who were made out of words, building words to solve problems. It empowered children to make connections between letters, sounds, and meanings that are crucial for developing reading skills. Word World was not only an engaging show but also raised relevant issues in tackling childhood reading. Then, Martha Speaks, which ended in 2014, focused on a dog (Martha) who gained the ability to speak after eating alphabet soup. The show focused on synonyms, phonics, and vocabulary, helping (like the other two shows) children develop reading, writing, and overall comprehension skills. All three of the shows listed focused on providing youth with fundamental skills to expand their reading, writing, and vocabulary. This would allow them to succeed in every aspect of their lives.

Science is a fundamental aspect of society, whether in a career or in social life. Learning about basic science ideas and concepts is crucial for living a well-rounded life. The most popular science shows were Bill Nye the Science Guy, Sid the Science Kid, and The Magic School Bus. All of these shows taught varying science concepts. Bill Nye the Science Guy was a documentary-style show, with each episode focusing on a specific topic (friction, volume, etc.), presented in a variety of ways (songs, skits, experiments). The show was often shown in schools because it allowed teachers to teach science concepts in a way that kids would be receptive and interested in. Sid the Science Kid was a show that highlighted scientific concepts (for example, the water cycle or the senses). Sid was an aspiring stand-up comedian and used his humour to help answer scientific questions with the help of his friends Gerald, May, and Gabriella. The show is focused on exploring cognitive learning theory, national science learning standards, and the preschool science curriculum. Finally, The Magic School Bus, which was, like Bill Nye the Science Guy, also a staple in classrooms. This show aired from 1994 to 1997 and was rebooted on Netflix in 2017. Its relevance and significance within society have been exceptionally well received. Every episode of this show immerses viewers in various scientific scenarios (e.g., the human body), allowing kids to be introduced to science in an engaging and interesting way. Science education is needed for a child's upbringing, and without it, there will be an evident lack of intellect. An honourable mention of a science PBS show is Wild Kratts, which showcases real animals in the wild and their environments!

Interpersonal skills are fundamental to a child's upbringing. PBS has countless shows that promote these skills while elevating diversity and human rights. The organization has a long history of inclusion and of recognizing diversity in its content. The majority of the PBS catalogue relates to these skills, so I will provide a condensed list of the most notable shows and then go into detail on only a select couple to highlight their importance. Some shows are still airing, and others have been completed for over 20 years! PBS shows that those focused on interpersonal skills are as follows: Molly of Denail, Arthur, Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood, Barney & Friends, Sesame Street, Timothy Goes to School, The Big Comfy Couch, Elinor Wonders Why, Lyla in the Loop, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Thomas & Friends, Angelina Ballerina, Curious George, and the Berenstain Bears. I would be shocked if you did not know any of the shows on the above list. These shows (some more than others) have gained widespread popularity and are considered among the best kids' shows to date. Sesame Street is arguably one of the most popular shows to come out of PBS. They not only have celebrity cameos but also talk about intense issues that most children's media stray from. One example I can think of is Andrew Garfield talking about his grief regarding his mother's death in an episode with Elmo. Kids' shows often focus on bright colours and notable characters. Sesame Street has those elements, but it mainly focuses on its message: helping children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Those traits will only emerge with exposure to various forms of education. Daniel’s Tiger Neighbourhood is an animated series based on Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood. The shows are both based on promoting equality. Having these sorts of shows accessible to the general public and youth is crucial for the betterment of society. They promote ideals that every person should adhere to.

The PBS shutdown is awful. The media created by this platform is one of a kind and essential for the morale of humanity. It teaches crucial life skills that will help kids grow into well-rounded adults. Children are arguably the most important to depict. What are we using to teach children crucial skills like humility, grace and compassion? Basic skills that stem from science communication will be lost if other creators do not step up to fill the void that will be apparent once PBS disappears. The content that will be lost in time is truly a shame. Hopefully, shows like this will still find a way to make an impact.

Jacob ButlerNovember 18, 2025