Inside PBS Blog

John Boland, PBS' Chief Content Officer, oversees PBS content from television to the web and beyond.

Here are his answers to your questions about local TV schedules, teenagers, a pony, and more.

1. In light of financial cutbacks - across the board- can we look forward to the addition of more important, cutting edge, non-fiction programs like Frontline and Independent Lens? Mari

Although finances are tight and it is difficult to forecast the precise degree to which this will impact the budgets of PBS and our member stations over the coming months, PBS remains committed to bringing the best in documentary films to the American public. Through award-winning series like Frontline and Independent Lens, plus P.O.V., NOVA, American Experience, Nature and Wide Angle - not to mention special mini-series from great producers like Ken Burns - PBS broadcasts more documentary films than any other television or cable network. Last year we presented more than 850 hours of new documentaries, many created by independent producers. We will certainly have many more new programs in the year ahead, but just how many will depend on available financial resources.

2. I think what I, and others, desperately want to know is whatever happened to Living Doll, the pony Mr. Boland won in a contest when he was a child? Mary Kate

Wow, that's ancient history! I think I was 10 years old when my brother and I submitted a joint entry to an essay contest and won a Shetland pony. The name in the contest was Living Doll, but when we actually went to pick up our prize, he was a young stallion named Don and he had never been ridden. He was the perfect size bucking bronco for my friends and me. We kept him at a stable near our tract house in New Jersey and after a couple years we gave Don to a family that had a farm where they could keep him. I needed to clean stalls at the stable as part of his boarding costs - and I had gotten too big for such a small pony - so I was fine parting with him.

3. How is your organization planning to sustain revenue when people like me don't watch over the air broadcasts anymore? I moved several years ago to Tivo and have never looked back. Jean

Well, when you watch a program using Tivo or any other DVR or cable on-demand service, you are still viewing a PBS program that is provided by your local public television station. Most of the support for public media comes from individual contributions to local stations. So, if you enjoy the programming - regardless of how you view it - I encourage you to contribute whatever you can to support your local station. In terms of online streaming of programs, we provide opportunities for both individual citizens and businesses to support public media online. In the United States, citizen support is critical for a healthy public media service and the need does not change just because we are serving audiences on new platforms.

4. Teenagers (12-17 year olds) in the US are estimated to have over $150 BILLION worth of buying power. How is PBS targeting, connecting, and serving that audience (if at all)? Jim

First, while the buying power of the teenage audience may be important to commercial broadcasters, it is not a critical factor for PBS. We exist to serve the public with content and services that inform, educate and entertain - programs that empower people to reach their full potential, to "be more." We aren't here to sell anything so buying power is not a significant factor. Teenagers do watch PBS, but not as much as younger children and adults. However, we do serve teenagers in education. PBS is the #1 provider of educational video to teachers and schools. And our online audience at pbs.org skews much younger than our television audience so we are serving a lot of teenagers online as well.

5. We love PBS! At least, the programming that we have received in years past in other cities.. Do you have no control over local programming? Caroline

We're glad you love PBS programming and most, if not all, of your favorite programs should be available on any of our 356 member stations in every community in the country. PBS member stations are independent, locally owned and operated non-profits. Since every community has different needs, local programming is controlled locally.

Stay Engaged. Get our blog by email.