ABSTRACT
In October 2001, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Report and Order clarifying the rules for the use of digital television (DTV) channel capacity by public television (PTV) stations (Report and Order 2001). While PTV stations are required to use their DTV channels for noncommercial educational programming, they may also use the excess channel capacity that all digital stations will have for moneymaking purposes. This chapter begins with a review of public broadcasting’s original mission and then moves to an analysis of the FCC’s Report and Order. Specifically, it contemplates whether a public television system that makes money through advertisements will necessarily “lose its soul.” This issue will become more important (in years to come?) because of the diverse programming needs of a U.S. population that is undergoing rapid demographic change.
