For more than 50 years, PBS has been a trusted, educational source for millions of Americans — especially children.
Formed in 1969 by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a nonprofit authorized by Congress in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, PBS has been a staple for American families for decades.
From its earliest days airing Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and Sesame Street to iconic shows from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s like Electric Company, Reading Rainbow and Bill Nye the Science Guy, PBS programming has taught children to understand and express their emotions, and helped them build foundational literacy, math and science skills. And since 1999, PBS Kids has brought beloved characters like Daniel Tiger and Arthur into American homes and classrooms through shows and digital games.
This isn’t the first time public broadcasting has been under threat. In the 1990s, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, led efforts to defund public broadcasting. In 1969, Fred Rogers testified before Congress to protect $20 million in federal funding for the newly formed Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which the Nixon administration proposed cutting in half.
“I’m constantly concerned about what our children are seeing, and for 15 years I have tried, in this country and Canada, to present what I feel is a meaningful expression of care,” Rogers told then-Senator John O. Pastore. Rogers contrasted his approach with the animated “bombardment” and gun violence he saw on other networks.
“… If we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health.”
Fred Rogers, testifying before congress in 1969
Underscoring the importance of programs appealing to social emotional learning and mental health, Rogers won Pastore over. “Looks like you just earned the $20 million dollars,” Pastore concluded.
Over the years, PBS has remained a trusted media source among Americans, especially for its children’s programming. As of 2024, more than 130 million people watch PBS via traditional television; nearly 60% of all U.S. television households watch PBS over the course of a year; and PBS Kids reaches 15.5 million monthly users and 345 million monthly streams across PBS KIDS’ digital platforms.
Here’s a visual history of the milestones and iconic moments from the organization that has served generations of learners — as well as a glimpse into efforts to protect it over the years:
1969
Fred Rogers testified before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Communications to oppose proposed cuts to federal funding for public broadcasting.
Sesame Street airs its first episode in November 1969.
1970
The photos below capture behind-the-scenes moments from the first season of Sesame Street.
A young girl stands beside Carroll Spinney, who played Big Bird, and Matt Robinson, who played Gordon, on the set of Sesame Street during its first season. (Getty Images)Puppeteer Jim Henson (out of frame) and an unknown puppeteer (out of frame) entertain children with muppets Kermit and Oscar the Grouch backstage during rehearsals for an episode of Sesame Street. (Getty Images)Actress Loretta Long, who played Susan Robinson on Sesame Street, talks to the photographer’s son, Oliver Attie, during a break in taping. (David Attie/Getty Images)Matt Robinson (who played Gordon) with a young girl during the taping of Sesame Street’s very first season, taken for America Illustrated Magazine, in March 1970 in New York City. (David Attie/Getty Images)Children with Big Bird, played by Carroll Spinney, and Bob McGrath on set. (Getty Images)A photo montage, made by layering several negatives, from the filming of an episode of Sesame Street. (Getty Images)
1971
The cast members of The Electric Company, Lee Chamberlin, Bill Cosby, Rita Moreno, Judy Graubart, Skip Hinnant and Morgan Freeman. (Getty Images)
1973
Fred Rogers, creator and host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood entertains children during a Mister Rogers’ Day celebration at the University of South Dakota. Several thousand children from surrounding states attended the event. (Getty Images)
1986
LeVar Burton, host of Reading Rainbow, on stage at a fundraiser for a literacy campaign, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Feb. 20, 1986. (Getty Images)
’90s and Early 2000s
U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno reads to a group of children during the 10th anniversary celebration for PBS’s Reading Rainbow in 1993. (Wally McNamee/Getty Images)LeVar Burton at the 26th NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, California on Jan. 5, 1994. He won the Best Performance in a Youth or Children’s Series or Special for the educational children’s series Reading Rainbow. (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)Former Sen. Chris Dodd, Barney and former Sen. Joe Lieberman at PBS promotion in Hart Senate Office Building in 1993. (Getty Images)LeVar Burton speaks during a discussion on how to improve the quantity and quality of children’s programming in Washington D.C. Former President Bill Clinton had recently announced that he was asking the Federal Communications Commission to require broadcasters to air a minimum of three hours of childrens educational programming. (David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)Former first lady Laura Bush and former President George W. Bush at an event in the East Room of the White House to launch a PBS national campaign to promote children’s literacy. Laura Bush served as the honorary chairperson of the campaign. (Getty Images)Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood endorsing the PBS television show for children Between the Lions in the East Room of the White House, flanked by former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and former first lady Laura Bush. (Getty Images)LeVar Burton, executive producer and host of Reading Rainbow wins the TCA award for Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming. (Getty Images)
2005
After a draft bill to decrease program funding was approved, lawmakersSen. Hillary Clinton and Rep. John D. Dingell; Clifford the Big Red Dog and other PBS characters; and representatives of Action for Children’s Television, National Parent Teacher’s Association and Children NOW, rally in support of public radio and television. (Getty Images)Eve Martin, 7, left, and her sister Lily, 4, hold signs supporting PBS characters during a rally to protect the public media from $100 million in funding cuts proposed for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images)
2008
The cast of The Electric Company speak during the PBS portion of the Television Critics Association Press Tour on July 12, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)Sid The Science Kid seen at a Television Critics Association event hosted by PBS and The Jim Henson Company on July 12, 2008. (Mathew Imaging/WireImage)
2009
Sesame Street turns 40.
Sesame Street puppet characters Zoe and Cookie Monster pose next to a street sign at West 64th St. and Broadway, in New York City, on the eve of the show’s 40th anniversary. (Getty Images)
2011
From left, Arthur, the aardvark from PBS KIDS, and former House representatives Sam Farr, Earl Blumenauer and Edward Markey, hold a news conference to announce efforts to oppose defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (Getty Images)
2012
A Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood graphic on display during a PBS panel for the 2012 Summer Television Critics Association Tour in Los Angeles.. The animated program was inspired by Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. “Through imagination, creativity and music, Daniel and his friends learn the key social skills necessary for school and for life,” PBS.org states. (Getty Images)
2013
Actor LeVar Burton attends the Reading Rainbow 30th anniversary celebration at Dylan’s Candy Bar on June 14, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Ben Horton/FilmMagic)
2017
People gathered near the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2017, to show their support for PBS and urge against defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)People rally to urge Congress to protect funding for U.S. public broadcasters, PBS and NPR outside the NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 2025. A day earlier, President Donald Trump said he would “love” to cut funding for the U.S. public broadcasters. (Getty Images)
2025
The fight to fund continues.
People rally to urge Congress to protect funding for U.S. public broadcasters, PBS and NPR outside the NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 2025. President Donald Trump said on March 25 that he would “love” to cut funding for the U.S. public broadcasters. (Getty Images)The star of Sesame Street’s Big Bird is seen on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, on Aug. 1, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon/Getty Images)A child plays a PBS Kids game Lyla & Stu’s Hairdos on a tablet. (Image courtesy of PBS Kids)More than two decades later, PBS Kids continues to captivate children in 2025. (Left: Photo courtesy of Lucie Bulois. Right: Photo courtesy of Amy Honigman)
