6811289 g

Public Television: The Early Years

By spauleavey

  • Education Television and Radio Center founded

    Education Television and Radio Center founded
    Funded by a grant from the Ford Foundation,the center distributed educational television programs produced by local stations. It eventually became known as National Educational Television in 1963.

  • Publication of Public Television: A Program for Action, a Carnegie Commission on Educational Television

    Publication of Public Television: A Program for Action, a Carnegie Commission on Educational Television
    The report concluded that a " well-financed and well-directed educational television system, substantially larger and far more pervasive and effective than that which now exists in the United States, must be brought into being if the full needs of the American public are to be served."

  • Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 is signed by President Johnson

    Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 is signed by President Johnson
    This law defined the purpose of and provided federal funding for the operation of public television, as well as established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

  • The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is incorporated.

    The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is incorporated.
    Comprised of public television stations around the United States, its mission is to provide "the American public with programming and services of the highest quality, using media to educate, inspire, entertain and express a diversity of perspectives."

  • Children's educational television program Sesame Street debuts.

    Children's educational television program Sesame Street debuts.
    Using a combination of live actors and Muppets, this classic educates children on a range of topics, from the alphabet, numbers, and colors to social issues, such as cooperation, sharing, and diversity.