PBS Should Stop Showing Concerts

Published on August 7, 2006 By Ionolast In Movies & TV & Books

They only show concerts during pledge breaks. Sometimes they even interrupt songs. To purchase a copy of a concert from them costs at least $100 which includes the price of becoming a member. Why should anyone pay that much when they can buy the DVD for about $30 in a store? Every concert they show has been or will be released on VHS and/or DVD.

If you want to become a member, fine. Some shows are perhaps worth it, (and aren't released) such as "Nova" and "Frontline." So if you want them to be able to continue to show those programs, then by all means, do your part if you can.

Comments

jesseledesma

on Aug 07, 2006

With all do respect my following comment are not because I like PBS. I am glad that the federal govenment stopped subsidizing PBS, which I consider to be very anti-Christian.

However, during three days of my life when things were going real bad PBS had broadcasting during the early morning hours (3am central). In El Paso, Texas this about as rare as Angelina Jolie leaving pretty boy Brad for me.

I saw stories on gangs in latin america, sharks, and a Bruce Springstein concert.

Let me tell you that this programing pacified me enough to be able to comfront life.

In addition, I enjoyed Bruce's concert so much that I think the song he closed with should become the Taxi drivers anthem.

It was "Pay Me".

terpfan1980

on Aug 07, 2006

I'm not a fan of the PBS pledge drives at all as I think they go overboard on their begging and pretty much hold programming hostage during the drives (such as you point out in your article here), but for the most part they do it because they have to. If they don't, then they are basically ignored and forgotten about when it comes time to make donations with your few disposable dollars.

I've been in discussions before with some PBS employees that tried to trip me up on the amount of time that is really used for pledge drives -- the public impression by someone like me that isn't constantly watching PBS channels is that PBS has pledge drives approximately 25% of the time, when in reality they those drives for a total of approximately 2 - 3 weeks during the year and even then they only really "beg" for money during prime time hours, which reduces the number of hours of pledge time down to a fairly small amount of total programming time.

Still, they are not too wise on when they cut into programming they are showing. Some stations are much better than others, but either way they worry more about getting those pledge breaks in than in actually showing the entire event that you might be tuned in for.

Your point on the availability of the programming via different means isn't bad, but do keep in mind that anything you pay PBS is a donation, and that the items you get as gifts for your pledges are just that - gifts for the pledges. You aren't buying anything from PBS, you're making the donation and they are giving you something as a token of appreciation for the donation.

As you said, if you wanted to just buy whatever programming you've been watching you can do that much more cost effectively by looking elsewhere.

Dr Guy

on Aug 07, 2006

I got a better idea.

Just stop watching PBS! With all the cable channels, they really are useless these days.

bakerstreet

on Aug 07, 2006

Nova and Frontline are not only released on DVD, and available through PBS, but a lot of what they air is available to WATCH online, for free. They also show quite a few concerts throughout the year, along with Austin City Limits and other music shows.

"Just stop watching PBS! With all the cable channels, they really are useless these days."

Who are "they"? PBS? Hardly useless, given the utter drek that's on 99% of the cable channels. I think you have it backwards, frankly. With the drought of decent TV even WITH all those cable channels, PBS is just as valid as ever. Granted, you may like watching Paris Hilton and Queen Eye and the like...

I'm conservative, but I'm a snotty conservative. If you leave it to the unwashed they turn Bravo into a channel that shows Law and Order reruns. It can't hurt to fund public radio and television, so long as the money is well spent. I really don't think anyone can make an argument at this point that is isn't.

Ionolast

on Aug 07, 2006

a Bruce Springstein concert.

Was it on one of their regular shows such as "Soundstage" or "Austin City Limits?"

the public impression by someone like me that isn't constantly watching PBS channels is that PBS has pledge drives approximately 25% of the time, when in reality they those drives for a total of approximately 2 - 3 weeks during the year and even then they only really "beg" for money during prime time hours, which reduces the number of hours of pledge time down to a fairly small amount of total programming time

More like 2-3 weeks every 3 months and from 8p.m. to 1 or 2a.m.

anything you pay PBS is a donation, and that the items you get as gifts for your pledges are just that - gifts for the pledges. You aren't buying anything from PBS, you're making the donation and they are giving you something as a token of appreciation for the donation.

That's just the opposite way of looking at it. Who makes a pledge during a show they don't watch and want? You wouldn't want a copy of a show you don't care anything about, would you?

I got a better idea.Just stop watching PBS! With all the cable channels, they really are useless these days.

Maybe, but at least they don't have commercials (except in the last 10 years or so they've been having commercials between programs.)

Ionolast

on Aug 07, 2006

They also show quite a few concerts throughout the year, along with Austin City Limits and other music shows.

That reminds me: They delay some regular programs because of special programs during pledge breaks. It's too damn hard to keep up. Monty Python's Flying Circus is delayed until 2a.m.

bakerstreet

on Aug 07, 2006

I think those breaks are undertaken by your local PBS affiliate. They wouldn't be the same for me or someone from somewhere else. My local drive hasn't seemed to be disruptive, at least from what I've seen. Maybe your problems at present are more about your local channel than PBS as a whole? I haven't noticed how they break from major network programming, but the shows that are syndicated don't seem disrupted to me.

I watch late at night a lot, though. I think a lot of what they decide to show is up to them, too, so maybe the people in charge of your channel prefer not to show as many concerts. PBS is really like most other channels, where the main network is only for part of the programming. A lot of the concerts and such are broadcast and paid for by local affiliates, aren't they?

MasonM

on Aug 07, 2006

If you leave it to the unwashed...

I had a fair amount of respect for you until now.

Ionolast

on Aug 07, 2006

so maybe the people in charge of your channel prefer not to show as many concerts.

They show a lot of concerts. Last night was Pink Floyd's "Pulse" which is 12 years old. Running time 90 minutes including pledge breaks. Tonight is the "Concert for Bangla Desh." Also 90 minutes including pledge breaks. Pretty pathetic.

A lot of the concerts and such are broadcast and paid for by local affiliates, aren't they?

I don't know.

Two affiliates are available here, since we're on the border with Georgia.

bakerstreet

on Aug 07, 2006

"I had a fair amount of respect for you until now."

Wait...

... wait...

...nope. Can't strain out a tear.

MasonM

on Aug 08, 2006

#10 by BakerStreet
Mon, August 07, 2006 11:37 PM

[BakerStreet]
"I had a fair amount of respect for you until now."

Wait...

... wait...

...nope. Can't strain out a tear.

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