PBS has now partnered with a coffee company to create the “PBS Blend.” PBS should `smell the coffee’ and realize that such for-profit ventures threaten to undermine the rationale for taxpayer support. Securing more commercial alliances is a short sighted and short-term strategy for the so-called non-commercial network. It is inappropriate for PBS to engage in commercial ventures, something it increasingly is doing. Why should the public fund a TV network that is just another competitor to Starbucks? PBS should be working to strengthen its non-commercial capacity at this pivotal moment of transition to a fully interactive digital media environment. But the new PBS management is clearly stoked on a caffeine rush, and are blinded about the implications of their “let’s make another deal” approach to securing revenue.”
PS: We just learned that there is also an “NPR Vintage Collection” of wines. Both PBS and NPR need to develop a comprehensive plan regarding their future sustainability. Slowly stocking gourmet sections of markets isn’t going to do it! But what a combination. You need to drink lots of PBS Blend so you can drive home safely after imbibing too much NPR vino!
