14 Comments
I too am upset about the decision to drop PBS. The News Hour is the best, most balanced and comprehensive news program on the air. And some of the other PBS shows --Frontline, NOVA-- are fabulous, as well. I just received a fundraising phone call from KCET. For the first time in decades, I'm thinking about dropping my membership.
I will not be donating to KCET again until PBS is back. The NewsHour is the best national news on TV. The idea that BBC and So-Cal Connected can fill the void is absurd. KCET's downhill slide has been occuring for many years. The larger Val Zavala's role in the programming, the further downhill it has gone -- duller, more conservative. The decision to drop PBS for more programming of her choosing or design is the end for our household.
PBS is an inspirational network, with some of the greatest programming for all tastes on earth. I have faithfully pledged and watched for nearly 47 years.If KCET wants to develop a rival public network to PBS, that spans the globe developing original programming, I am all for supporting it. Until then, I will not support a network that provides "Lidsville", a 36 yr kids program from NBC, that has no educational or entertainment value, re-runs of 35 yr old British comedies, or old travelogues. If this is what you plan on running Mr. Jerome you are in deep trouble. I have already tuned to KOCE to get all of the fine PBS programming I am used to seeing.I am in no way making a judgement on your business decision,but I don't see how you are going to compete.
The first two days of your new programs have been even worse than I feared. After some 25 years it's goodbye until KCET rejoins PBS.
After watching the new program line-ups I am disgusted. Granted there are a few interesting new programs but this does not offset
the loss the PBS programs. Listening to the rational for this by Al Jerome is like listening to a broken record. And also, I agree with
dessnk (above comment), get rid of Val Zavala; whatever she has to offer is vapid. And as far as So-Cal Connected goes it's a little lightweight.
After seeing the new kcet line up I have decided that you now have nothing to offer me as a long time viewer..No Charlie Rose no News hour no anything. Now all I see is third rate programing at best! Looks like its time to reset my digital box and remove this no longer a station to grow up to! YOU BLEW IT!!
Charlie Rose!!!
I need Charlie Rose!!!
Mr. Jerome and Co., How could you possibly imagine that you could run a viable nonprofit TV station without the PBS content that you have been broadcasting? In particular, MHz World is total crap compared to PBS World, and your ploy to trick viewers by mimicking the name is pathetic. You suck, and you have lost yet another viewer and longtime supporter!
I agree with the reviews above. I am extremely disappointed with the new lineup, particularly in the children's programming. Until you rejoin the PBS family, I'm afraid to report that I will discontinue my membership.
Wall-to-wall condemnation, above. Why am I not surprised. Without PBS, the new KCET is an awful TV broadcaster that no longer deserves its license, which it originally obtained as a PBS affiliate.
This is to let KCET know that I have deleted them from the programming on my TV system. I will check back every now and then in case they have regained their senses and returned to PBS before going belly-up and off the air.
i came on here to find out what happened to charlie rose.... and now i also know why kcet has been completely awful lately!
For 20+ years I've contributed $75/year to KCET because I watched PBS programming. I've just now changed my contribution to KOCE. Mr. Jerome, you forced me to "vote with my checkbook".
The new programming on KCET is horrible. I was surprised and confused by the announcement while watching the News Hour, but tried to keep watching. I have been a loyal KCET viewer since childhood (30 years now) and cannot understand who on earth thought this was a smart move. Fire Mr. Jerome and get rid of all the board of directors. Two thumbs down to all the programming I have seen thus on the new and NOT improved KCET. I will take my donations somewhere else.
Abby Robyn says :
I urge you to resume negotiations with PBS. Both PBS and KCET need to come to a rational and reasonable solution to this situation. It is deplorable that we will be left without PBS in Los Angeles. I wish KCET would have been more upfront with its viewers and not so precipitous in rejecting PBS.