I Pledge Allegiance…(A Little Too Often Maybe?)

Don’t look for an end anytime soon to the interminable pledge drives on PBS. PBS president Pat Mitchell says it’s reality: “We know we are creating issues with pledge in terms of interrupting the schedule, and that some of our most loyal viewers don’t appreciate the programming that is often seen during pledge periods,” she said. But honestly – put yourself in the shoes of the station manager who is looking at a budget that has only 17 to 19 percent of guaranteed income each year. Period. That’s all that comes in from the government. The rest of it, you have to raise somehow.”