Image used under a Creative Commons license courtesy videocrab.
In addition to the work I do for them already, the folks at The Atlantic were nice enough to ask me to contribute to their Ideas Report, a special project to discuss ways to shake up the way we live now. Lots of my colleague came up with smart, practical things, like ending close reading in schools or embracing speed cameras. Not me. I said we should turn PBS into the BBC:
And because there's a convincing case that PBS no longer needs to act as a counterweight to three dominant privately-held networks, why shouldn't that makeover be fun? Instead of grinding out high-minded educational fare, PBS should hold on to its excellent children's programming, keep doing news work, and devote the rest of its programming to intelligent fictional series, much like BBC One does.
Making smart, captivating shows with shorter runs than the standard 22-episode network order would be great for PBS for several reasons. First, it would give the network relevance and cachet among smart young audiences who are far too old for playtime, but not yet ready to settle down and fill a house with antiques. Much as National Public Radio shook up its brand by aggressively covering and streaming music from indie bands, and Public Radio International drew in young, discerning audiences with This American Life, even just a few smart shows could lure a new generation of viewers towards PBS.
Second, the audience for British-style fictional programming already exists on PBS. Doctor Who, Red Dwarf, and Monty Python's Flying Circus have all aired on the network. Those audiences could be enticed into watching original shows with similarly creative worldviews and executions (and lower production budgets) if PBS created them. In a world where millions of people ironically tune in to SyFy Saturday Night creature features, there's a definite market for smart. PBS should step in, and step up their game.
I really think this makes a lot of sense. Not everybody can afford access to HBO or Showtime. But everyone deserves access to great, daring, even eccentric television.