New PBS Channel Has Ads

PBS has a new channel on the air – it’s called PBS Sprout and it’s aimed at kids. But it also has advertisements. “Three weeks after its launch, Sprout has only one sponsor, Kimberly-Clark, the maker of Huggies diapers. The ads are aimed at parents and don’t interrupt shows — though the shows last for only 15 minutes. But the mere idea of a PBS-branded product with ads hit like a bombshell in the public television world. And so far, many stations have refused to affiliate with the new service. Out of 177 licensees, only 90 have joined with Sprout for content and marketing arrangements.”