The original theory behind state-supported television was that it would give voice to those excluded from the marketplace. After all, commercial television’s interests are not necessarily in line with the national interest. What about the millions of the poor, benighted Americans who don’t fit into the few demographic targets that commercial television serve in order to maximize profits? Now comes the news that the Public Broadcasting Service will replay three original HBO films after they have completed a month-long run on the premium cable channel. Could someone explain what market failure argument justifies the use of tax dollars to provide a (so-called) good that is already being produced by the market? How is it in the national interest to provide HBO films to the segment of the population that might like to see them but who otherwise choose not to pay the subscription?
In truth, public television is first and foremost about maintaining support for the federal government that funds it. In a TV-drenched society, socializing “premium content” TV is one way to accomplish this goal. As one who gave up the tube back in the mid-1990s, I find it amazing that now the viewing of HBO films are now considered not only a consumption good, but a civil right.
