For the 16th consecutive year, PBS and its member stations have been named #1 in public trust among American institutions in a nationwide annual survey.
According to the findings released today, Americans rank PBS as more trustworthy than institutions such as courts of law, the federal government and Congress, as well as media sources such as digital platforms, commercial broadcast and cable television, newspapers and social media. Respondents also said that PBS was their most trusted source of news and public affairs programming.
Among those surveyed, 71% feel that local PBS stations provide excellent value to communities. Further, when asked about value for tax dollars, PBS ranks only below our nation’s military defense, and ahead of social security, infrastructure, environmental protection and other vital services.
PBS KIDS is also viewed by parents as the most educational media brand, substantially outranking other cable and commercial networks: 66% said the brand is their top choice for children. The survey results also affirm that parents view PBS KIDS as a leader in preparing children for success in school, modeling positive social and emotional behaviors, and as the most trusted and safe source for children to watch television, and play digital games and mobile apps.
“For the 16th year in a row, Americans continue to place their trust in PBS and our local stations. Public television is a trusted destination for high-quality news and public affairs programming, and parents turn to PBS for educational media that prepares their children for future success,” said Paula Kerger, President and CEO, PBS.
“We build trust by staying true to our founding mission – being a beacon of thoughtful and thought-provoking content that both educates and inspires.”
Survey Highlights:
For the 16th year, Americans rank PBS and its member stations the most-trusted institution among a consideration set that includes courts of law, commercial cable and broadcast television, newspapers, digital platforms and others. Twenty-nine percent of respondents said they trust PBS “a great deal,” compared with lower-ranking perceptions of other institutions, including courts of law (17%) digital platforms (15%), commercial cable television (14%) and commercial broadcast television (12%).
Americans rate PBS highly in terms of value for tax dollars.
As in previous surveys, PBS ranked second in terms of taxpayer value, with 67% of respondents calling it a “good” or “excellent” value, behind only the country’s military defense (77%). PBS rated higher on this measure than other taxpayer-funded benefits such as oversight of food and drug safety (57%); Social Security (53%); and environmental protection (45%).
Seventy-one percent agree that PBS stations provide an excellent value to communities. When asked if the funding for public broadcasting was adequate, nearly 90% said funding was either about right or too little.
When asked which networks they trust most when it comes to news and public affairs programming, respondents ranked PBS #1, ahead of the major broadcast and cable news networks.
PBS Kids was ranked the #1 educational media brand for children, compared with a host of other children’s media providers.
66% of parents surveyed named PBS Kids the most educational media brand, substantially outscoring the second-most highly rated kids brand, Disney Channel, which was considered most educational by 8%, followed by Universal Kids (7%).
83% of parents agreed that PBS Kkids helps prepare children for success in school, ahead of Disney Jr. (65%), Nick Jr. (60%), and Universal Kids (59%).
86% of parents agreed that PBS Kids is the most trusted and safe source for children to watch television and play digital games and mobile apps. The brand outranked other choices such as Disney Jr. (75%), Disney Channel (75%) and Nick Jr. (70%).