PBS Logo History

The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is the largest provider of public television in the United States, consisting of over 350 member stations. The network distributes educational programs, including Nova, PBS NewsHour, and Sesame Street. Being a non-profit organization, the network is co-funded by its member stations, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and from citizens of the United States. PBS was founded on November 3, 1969; first launching on October 5, 1970. It served to be the replacement for National Educational Television, which at the time was being threatened by its parent company—Ford Foundation—along with the CPB to have its funding cut unless it merged with New Jersey-based station WNDT, in which NET decided to agree to the merge deal. WNDT was changed into WNET on October 1, 1970, with NET ceasing operations on October 4; PBS began broadcasting the next day. Chapters: intro 0:00 Section one National Educational Television 0:46 Section two Public Broadcasting Services 12:32 Outro 30:40