PBS

Filmmaker Ken Burns has produced and directed historical documentaries for more than 30 years. In March, 140 documentary filmmakers signed a letter to PBS executives, suggesting the service may provide an unfair level of support to white creators.

Arts

PBS And Ken Burns Vow To Do Better On Diversity But Critics Aren't Convinced

1:57pm August 12, 2021

by Eric Deggans

PBS has announced $11 million in grants to boost diversity among documentary filmmakers months after an open letter accused the service of unfairly favoring white creators.

Tavis Smiley Ordered To Pay PBS $1.5 Million For Violating Network's 'Morality' Clause

7:03pm March 04, 2020

by Vanessa Romo

Smiley, who was fired in 2017 amid sexual misconduct allegations, had sued the public broadcaster contending that he was dropped as a talk-show host because of racial bias.

Gwen Ifill, one of the nation's most esteemed journalists, will be the face of the U.S. Post Office 43rd stamp in the Black Heritage series.

National

Journalist Gwen Ifill Honored With Black Heritage Forever Stamp

10:18pm January 29, 2020

by Vanessa Romo

The veteran reporter, who died at the age of 61 after battling cancer, will be memorialized on a new U.S. Postal Service Forever stamp.

Jim Lehrer joined PBS in the 1970s and went on to moderate 12 presidential debates and write some 20 novels, three memoirs and several plays.

Politics & Government

Jim Lehrer, Longtime PBS Anchor, Dies At 85

5:59pm January 23, 2020

by Elizabeth Blair

Lehrer chronicled such weighty events as John F. Kennedy's assassination and the 1973 Senate Watergate hearings. For years, he and lifelong friend Robert MacNeil co-anchored The MacNeil/Lehrer Report.

PBS Host Tavis Smiley Suspended After Sexual Misconduct Investigation

10:46pm December 13, 2017

by Richard Gonzales

Variety reports Smiley had sexual relationships with subordinates who were afraid their jobs were on the line. Smiley is the second PBS talk show host suspended in the wake of misconduct allegations.

New Documentary 'Farmer/Veteran' Traces Long Road To Recovery From PTSD

5:36am May 26, 2017

by David Ford

In the United States, the average principal farm operator is nearly 60 years old, according to the most recent

Queue Listen Now

Fireworks explode over the National Mall during the 2015 July 4 fireworks show in Washington, D.C. For its 2016 Independence Day show, PBS used stock footage from previous shows, due to bad weather in the capital.

Should PBS Have Shown Old Fireworks Footage In Its July 4th Show?

12:08pm July 05, 2016

by Bill Chappell

One commenter called it "the Milli Vanilli of fireworks"; another stated, "current mood: disbelieving moon landing."

"The potter has used an impressive array of techniques to come up with this extraordinary texture," an Antiques Roadshow appraiser said of this piece — which turned out to be a high school art project.

Arts

'70s High School Art Project Mistakenly Valued At $50K On 'Antiques Roadshow'

2:34pm May 11, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

A grotesque vase covered in multiple faces: late 19th century, Picasso-inspired Mid-Atlantic art worth five figures? Well, maybe not.

These familiar faces will soon be appearing on another channel.

Sesame Street's New ABCs: On PBS And Now HBO

6:16pm August 20, 2015

by Laura Wagner

For the next five seasons of Sesame Street, episodes will air first on HBO before they're made available to PBS for free nine months later.

National

After Ben Affleck Scandal, PBS Postpones 'Finding Your Roots'

9:54am June 26, 2015

by Sam Sanders

The show came under fire after leaked emails revealed that the actor asked the show to hide the fact that one of his ancestors owned slaves.