Zombies on Sesame Street

The Muppets are under attack, and the attacking monsters aren't fuzzy and plush. Last week, the Corpoation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced that it will be winding down business over the next couple of months.

You may ask what that means and how CPB impacts you. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting distributes funds to organizations like various PBS and NPR stations. Remember how PBS shows like Sesame Street have the tagline "Brought to you by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and viewers like you"? While PBS may have corporate sponsors that get a mention between programs, they do not have commercials during the show like other television channels and streaming services. They run on donations and funds distributed by CPB. In communities that are unwilling or unable to afford donations (think rural areas with low populations or places with lower income levels), the need for CPB funds is necessary for survival.

In our current hellscape, some PBS stations may survive while others fall and leave a void in the media landscape. There may be other outlets that offer so-called educational programming, but as we've seen with networks like The Learning Channel (TLC) and The History Channel, profits rival integrity. Shows like Honey Boo-Boo and Pawnstars will win out against genuine content.

It is now up to us to hold back the darkness.