And despite the fact that PBS offered them so many options (Based on this interview), they still split based on a few things. 1. They needed more flexibility in their programming, (as if a former full-service PBS station couldn’t be flexible). 2. They could serve the Southern California community better (they got like tons of subchannels they could place an LA local channel on, if they weren’t so focused on keeping a completely redundant KCET Orange subchannel (people watch KOCE in Orange County) which luckily has been replaced by kids programming.)  and 3. The obvious reason, they wanted more money. It seems reasonable that you’d  get people in the news talking, otherwise people wouldn’t be interested in this new independent KCET now would they? Obviously, they should of waited until the god damned Fall to launch the New KCET. Sure they’d still be paying dues but at least KCET would have something that would be unique, local and independent as Al Jerome said… Which brings me to these points.

If your board of members decided to split from PBS then shouldn’t they take into account the PBS show they produce, shows such as Sid the Science Kid and WIRED Science, which currently airs on PBS, the very network they split from. Lord knows what’d happen to Sid the Science Kid… They should of taken into account how they rebranded themselves, take their new logo.

Yup, that’s their new logo. The old logo with a shade of gray, oh and it’s in 3D. Apparently if you’re independent then you should dump your shades of blue, add a lot of squares and you should also add font that is grabbing and bold and brand yourself with the phrase “rethink TV”, though I do admit how much better it looks, but I generally dislike it. Anyways, how can I rethink TV when the scheduling is poor. It’s like PBS but without actually using the PBS name or branding. If somebody promises me something then they’d better deliver, otherwise all they’re offering are empty promises. Case in point, most of these shows you can catch on other public TV stations (especially ones from around here.), hell some shows you can even catch on a national TV network. (I am not joking, you will see why in a moment.) So without further to do, the line of programs KCET has to offer.

• Raggs – Airing on KCVR on Saturdays and KVCR DT3 on weekdays. At least KCET will be airing it weekdays on a signal which is available at more homes. Plus for them.
• Construction Site – Haven’t seen this before, score 1 for KCET offering something unique.
• Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss – Ran on Nick Jr., KCET is the first one to air this terrestially, though with 40 episodes, kids will get bored of this quickly (It’s being aired on Weekdays.)
• Wild Animal Baby Explorers – It’s airing on tons of local PBS stations, probably other stations then KCET I’m guessing based on the fact that it says “Now on your Local PBS Station”
• Peep and the Big Wide World – Not unique to KCET, coming to other local TV stations in January. (Why do I keep mentioning the unique part, because it was promised that we’d get programming we have never seen before (even on other Public TV stations).)
• Mustard Pancakes – Aired on RTN before, probably still does. KCET is probably the first TV station in California to air this (because we don’t seem to have an RTN affiliate around).
• H.R. Pufnstuf – Old show from 1969, I consider this a good choice from KCET, as barely anybody has seen this except for some people on the internet or people who own the DVD. Though it’s short, I’m guessing that kids and families would enjoy watching it.
• Lidsville – Same as H.R. Pufnstuf.
• Busytown Mysteries – A Canadian animated television series. Airing on… CEEEEE-BEEEEEEE-ESSSSSSSSS Oooh Hooooo! *bark*. Seriously, this is airing on Saturday Mornings on CBS, C-B-S. This airs on every CBS affiliate in the country, and worst of all is that if Cookie Jar TV ever moves this to PBS Kids then KCET wouldn’t have this show because technically it’d become a part of PBS. At least they’re airing it weekdays, that’s nice of Cookie Jar to let them do that.
• GardenSMART - It’s on other PBS stations, including KOCE, KVCR and KLCS.
• America’s Heartland – KCET has it everyday, KVCR has it only on the weekends. One more unique thing KCET has.
• Smart Travels – KCET has this all to itself after January 1st, though I’m not wild about Travel programs.
• Journeys In Japan – Unique in the sense that only KCET airs this on it’s main signal. KVCR might air it on it’s DT2 signal.
• Burt Wolf: Travels & Traditions – Airs on KLCS and KVCR (mainly on various subchannels) KCET and KLCS air this sporadically on it’s main channel.
• McLaughlin Group – One word, common on all public TV stations.
• British Sitcoms – KOCE is planning on airing some, why is KCET still keeping these on? Maybe because they think these are programs people have not seen.
• MI-5 – KCET is keeping this one so it’s definitely unique programming (but only to SoCal)
• Hustlers – So far, KCET is the only one I know that has this british drama (there may be more but I’m not sure).
• Nature of Things with David Suzuki - A Canadian science series, their replacement for NOVA but interesting and unique because I and nobody has seen this yet.
• Globe Trekker – Airing mostly on KCET but airs on KOCE, KLCS and KVCR, not something people have not seen before.
• BBC World News – KCET distributes this program, but also airs on KVCR. I’m guessing KCET will prevent any SoCal public TV stations from having this, due to some crazy conspiracy theory about how they want to feel like they want to bring you the news other TV channels do not. (I’m guessing they’re also counting for their viewers to not have cable, since BBC America also airs BBC World News, therefore aren’t they contributing to their own demise?)
• Barbecue University With Steven Raichlen – Unique to KCET, even though it’s a cooking show.
• Your Japanese Kitchen – At least they’re doing their part to cater to the Asian cooking community, also on KSCI.
• Avec Eric – Airs on the main KCET channel but also on KLCS and KVCR on one of their subchannels, is it me or does KCET have too many cooking shows, LA isn’t just about the food, you should know that by now.
• The Write Environment – Unique to KCET, but should of been scheduled on Sunday.
• Tommy Tang’s Easy Thai Cooking – Unique to KCET, but not everywhere else, another asian cooking show…
• Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge – Also airs on KLCS but nowhere else.
• The Aviators – KLCS and KVCR also air this, and on their main channels. This was one of the early signs this schedule was poor, this commonly available show airing on most public stations around SoCal, and at probably the same times too!
• The rest of the cooking & travel shows – Most are not unique to KCET (the ones that are, you know what they are) and make KCET look like mostly every public television station since those have loads of programs dedicated to travel and cuisine.
• That Canadian talk show who’s name I can’t remember – unique to KCET but feels like a replacement for Charlie Rose and Travis Smiley.

From the Long List above, most of these shows are not even unique to KCET and most of these make the independent channel feel like PBS without the PBS name, some of you might disagree but it’s my opinion and I feel like if KCET can’s offer what it has promised then why bother with them. They do got some programs but they will not make you watch the channel longtime, which is essential to it’s success. There are also no attempts to tap into LA’s artistic district (except for the Classical Arts Showcase (which plays classical music) and the movies but the CAS airs when people are likely to be sleeping 12:30 AM to 5:30 AM (bad choice for people who love classical arts) and the movies, that’s Hollywood son, give us some independent flair once in a while instead of blockbusters that cost a lot of money (I’ve watched Free Willy when they were still a PBS station, it was fucking amazing that they had the balls to display the KCET PBS logo all throughout the movie, makes me wonder why they’re airing movies when these movies cost a lot of money) Additionally, even when they were a PBS station, they still didn’t tap into the local community as evident in this piece here.). At least the corporate sponsors (that give KCET it’s name) and a very small number of the public will keep that going but from the eyes of the public, it’s an admirable move. Also troubling is the fact that if they wanted to focus on the local stuff then they should of expanded SoCal Connected to weekly (there are a lot of stories in Southern California). After all, if it is the hard hitting show that it is, shouldn’t it focus more on the local community?

There’s also the problem of the channel promoting that you have the chance to change the channel and control what’s on it, like KCET was giving the power to you. Well not exactly, if they wanted the public to have the chance then they would give the channel to the community. It’s like one of those E! owned stations claiming to be the <blanks> very own only to be owned by a big shady corporate guy, in fact all of these people seem to come from major broadcasting outlets like NBC and CBS, I’ll get to that later. Right now, the new branding.

Look at all the buzz words being thrown around. Better, smarter, independent, free-thinking, eager for new programming. This advertising campaign makes you believe that you can change the network, that they are willing to listen to all of your comments, but apparently it’s all smoke and mirrors. You can submit new programming but they require you to have a registration number (either a US Copyright or a Writer’s Guild Number, both of which are not as easy to get and keep as they seem.) Apparently they’re aiming for producers, not the general public. It really shuts out the public side of things because of numerous issues. First off, your show must be distributable in any form, apparently there a social media company and as is the case they have to distribute programming that other people make so they can stay true to their promise. I get that there are many ideas out there but if the public is shut out of creating TV shows then what is the use of the word public, especially in an independent TV station.

Also, I fear that even though Al Jerome is personally asking for comments about his programming, I feel like the comments to Al Jerome will face a large amount of uncertainty, especially as the emails don’t go directly to the president. Instead they go to someone who screens the comments and then forwards them after days of deliberation. Now I appreciate that they read some of my email but not all of it, they assumed I was just someone who was sad that KCET was leaving PBS (so their sad that their leaving PBS but at the same time excited to be independent, which is it KCET?). Apparently they forgot to look over the parts about programming suggestions which could make their station truly independent and live up to the catchphrase “Rethink TV.” Cause at this point, the station does not make me want to rethink anything, despite being the biggest independent public TV station (which is mainly due to it’s studio and large coverage area). The only statement this independent TV station seems to scream is “Hey look at us, we’re not a PBS member station anymore. This is so interesting.” Instead of, “I’m bringing change to the Public TV landscape, and it starts here at KCET.” Especially since there is an uncertainty of whether or not the CEO/President will actually read your comments. (Most of the comments on the KCET site go mainly unanswered.) and that scares me if the station wants to be an independent public TV station.

Moreover this TV station seems to be run by corporate big shots who think just because they were with NBC that means they can manage a public TV station. Sure they might of had some interesting ideas but mostly they’ve manage to run KCET into the ground so much that people feel alienated by it. Poor business decisions do not make me want to watch KCET at all, if anything I’d avoid the channel and watch another public TV channel or something. How you treat your viewers is important, it’s what determines your income since you rely mostly on donations and pledge drives. (Economy is not an excuse, if it was clear that you’d not be able to pay your dues then I’d be more sympathetic but as it is, $37 million dollars does not scream trouble for a TV station.) and right now people seem to revival KCET more then support it and have their kids watch it. Let’s face it, corporate big shots ruin everything they touch. I mean just look at the TV networks now, they are clearly struggling to attract viewers and produce decent shows that I want to watch, save for a few. And let’s face it, if I haven’t been watching TV that much then they’ve failed at their job. Especially when your channel number is being moved back on both Charter and Cox cable. (as far as 100-300 channel numbers back, I laughed out loud when I saw this, I didn’t know losing PBS would result in the channel numbers being pushed back… And yet their praising it as a good thing… I am officially confused.)

There’s also the problem of whether or not they can convince the viewers to give them money to make their vision a reality, here’s what Gordon Bava said in a psuedo press-release.

“Will our aspirations be fully realized on January 1, 2011? No. While we believe our new schedule will be well received, we do not currently have the full array of content we intend to offer.  But with sufficient funding, over the next three years we will produce locally-focused content with national and international appeal, curate quality content produced by others, distribute this content on-air, on-line and on mobile platforms, and engage our viewers in communities in which they reside both on and offline. While cynics may question the practicality of this plan, KCET’s uninterrupted string of Peabody Awards, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, and Emmys for its originally produced programming should offer some confidence with viewers and supporters that it can be accomplished.”

Well Emmy produced programming isn’t going to be enough to make us stick around.  We want that programming now, not in three years but now, forget about distributing it worldwide, what about the people in Southern California? that you praise so much? Another quote.

“We are unaware of any major public television station that has transformed itself in the manner we plan. But few have the advantages of the rich cultural diversity, the abundant supply of world-class cultural institutions, theatres, actors, writers, artists, musicians, scientists, engineers, technicians, and the millions of potential viewers that Southern California offers.  By fully integrating and collaborating with this creative economy, we believe the New KCET will be able to produce and present programming to our community that is truly special and unique.”

KCSM disaffiliated with PBS before you, people are taking notice because you are a full service PBS station. You have this “rich cultural diversity”, the “abundant supply” the “people”. Use them to create shows that we will watch. We don’t want to wait 3 years for these shows to appear, you got the studios, you got the sets, if the people like the show then they will donate. Then, you will be able to achieve the vision the New KCET set out to do, which is to serve the local California area in a way nobody has ever done. However, telling us to donate and then hope that this programming will be produced is an empty promise in itself. We already know what California has to offer, why don’t you show it to us, on KCET, instead of telling us your plans for the future. Make us rethink TV damnit!

Right now, KCET is a stillborn failure. Not doomed to failure but placed in a tough spot where it’s goals will be very difficult to achieve but I’m sure that tons of federal and local funding will slow it’s death considerably, if it wants to survive then it will have to advance it’s plans, it will have to use California to it’s fullest, it will have to make it easy for the general public to “build this network”. Comments, submitting shows, whatever. They will have to regain trust of people KCET has alienated and the hardest of all, they will have to prove they can sustain themselves without standing behind their various awards. Winning awards for your shows doesn’t make the plan gold in anything, it just proves that you can make quality television the people love. How you plan as a network is what matters and the various awards don’t mean shit for the future if you can’t plan properly.

EDIT: Okay, 8 days after I posted this (any actions forthcoming, I am not responsible for). Al Jerome appeared on NBC 4 Los Angles to discuss the new KCET (and whore out his dedication to NBC, which was one of the bullet points.) The video is below.

While I agree that he does make some points, acknowledge the people who commented on the website before December 31st and post some pretty good ideas. He also says stuff that contradict what KCET has shown to me on the TV screen and the internet. While he says that he likes to make it a local station (explains all of the cooking shows now that you think about it, apparently it was a tradition back then and it’s a tradition now.), we’re being led to believe that KCET is leaving PBS to make a point about other public broadcasting stations and as such, is trying to do things such as prove that maybe PBS membership is not a priority and maybe people should think of public television in a new way. It’s kind of Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekel wants this station to be LA’s greatest local station while Mr. Hyde is like “Look at me, look at me, look at me, look at me, we don’t have PBS membership anymore because we said screw them and we’re going to change public TV in a special way. Come on, rethink TV!” If he wanted the station to go in a local direction then maybe he should of used branding that was relevant to LA (even though it would feel cliche as like mostly every other TV station does this type of branding), it would of got across the message he intended rather then the twisted message that is out there right now.

I do have some comments about having more local news then all the other stations. While it is a nice idea, he has to do something that can draw us to them. I don’t care much about SoCal Connected’s constant human interest stories and slightly different angles of coverage of issues other news networks (Meters for example.) as such I don’t watch it as much, so they’re going to need a pretty big draw if they intend to draw me and thousands of other LA locals to this station. I’m hoping that they remain dedicated to Southern California with their news coverage and break news events before they happen. Again, Al’s vision is admirable but he has a long road ahead if he wants to make it a reality.

Additionally, I forgot to mention this in the main article so I’ll mentioned it here. The article I linked to before mentioned that “KCET had every avenue open for them” for the production of public TV shows. This bugs me, if WGBH realized that they could make shows outside of the PBS network (they’re one of the biggest PBS stations by the way.), why couldn’t KCET when they were still a PBS affiliate. I mean there are outlets to distribute them and they would of constituted some extra cashflow, so why didn’t they do it. I get that they claimed that PBS was trying to block KCET from being successful but I’d hardly believe that lie for a second, I’m guessing PBS sent their guards to ensure that very few PBS shows gets made, therefore ensuring PBS’s secret plan of having it’s East Coast stations earn lots of money so they can take it and buy some junk that costs 10,000x more if not more or less.

Now, I wonder whats in the news today…

Mostly he is insane, the reason being is that it’s censorship, meaning that anything objectable, or anything that could be harmful, dangerous to children or might promote terrorism is immediately blurred out or removed as soon as possible. I understand that there are many guides on the internet that show people how to do these things and mostly 30% or more of the internet is potentially offensive, but the fact that anything could be considered a threat to terrorism is partially stupid. The reason why I use partially stupid is because there are mostly some things that could be used for terrorism that we don’t know about yet but come on, we’re mostly prepared for a terrorist attack that hasn’t happened yet or possibly will not happen. I understand the safety of everyone and the thought of preventing terrorism once and for all and this might have a very, very small chance of working but I think the bill is stupid and the guy doesn’t have an idea how it works, though I do applaud his bravery.

Think about it, if a normal people were to be looking for a hospital of some sort, let’s say that they’re sick or that they need urgent attention. They would find that the hospital is blurred out for some reason, prompting some confusion as to why an average hospital would be blurred out. Or if they needed directions of a school of some sort, they would find it blurred and would also prompt confusion as to why the school is blurred out. I don’t know why a hospital or a school would need to be blurred out considering that as said above, it’s a top down map only and Street View does not allow you to view the campus or the back of a hospital. Furthermore if there were an impeding Terrorist attack, they would most likely be able to evacuate everyone safely and be able to defuse the bomb or shoot down the missile or whatever the terrorists might be doing. Also they would need blueprints of some sort because they would not know the interior or the structure of the building as Google Maps and mostly other map programs only show the roof.

Also, because the governor issuing the bill might not know that the bill applies to the US only, which means that the aformented things listed above will only be blurred in the United States and any other potential terrorist targets outside of the US will not be blurred. If the governor realizes that Google Maps may be used to plan Terrorist attacks in the US may be used to plan attacks in other countries such as Asia, Africa, South America, Russia, and other foreign countries. I’m not saying that I support the attacks on other countries but I’m pointing out a minor flaw in his bill. It would be that America is potentially safer and the other countries are even more vulnerable and valuable since it would be easier to plan out using Google Maps or any other mapping program that he might mention. Additionally, this would lead to some invasion of some other country or a crippling of another country of which a terrorist group could do for some reason or another.

More importantly, the plan of blurring out parts of a map is considered censorship to some. Let’s say that you liked something, something that was enjoyable, influential and risky, something that was released long ago. Let’s say that you saw the same thing a few years later, your favorite parts of the book are either changed, toned down or removed entirely. That’s what censorship is like, forcing people to remove or change the things they say in order to appeal to people who are either overreacting, are offended or believe that what they’re saying aren’t right at all. Mostly this feels wrong because people are going to be in a uproar because the government or a bill forced Google or Yahoo to blur out or remove any offensive, inappropriate or classified content, people feel that the way the internet delivers content is screwed up because companies and groups are confused by how they should deliver it and how it might cause an uproar or something.

I appreciate what he’s trying to do but I don’t think this bill is ever going to work. For one, it’s forcing companies to censor their content which people will complain over because the internet is supposed to be a free way to express opinions, two is that how is this going to help prevent terrorism since mostly Google doesn’t have any serious terrorism planning abilities, the blurred out areas are going to be obvious to terrorists, and it’s limited to companies located in California, which means that a company like Microsoft will have clear shots of those areas and it may be used as a terrorist tool itself, and it only covers the US which means other countries are not covered as described above, also the terrorists could use paper maps and phone books to find out places to strike. Three is that it’s poorly planned out, I mean if he truly wanted to prevent terrorism, he would want to take the issue to the United Nations and let them make a decision of whether to blur their terrorist targets or not.

I’m not saying that I support the bill, but with the emphasis on censorship and the fact that it’s poorly planned, I don’t think that it will ever work out. I personally think that there is no probable way to stop terrorism without causing a panic or some controversy but I think that some places are properly prepared after 9/11 to be ready to face this threat should it ever become a reality again, though I do hate the censorship that did come after 9/11 what with shows cutting scenes that involve buildings crashing and all that and that was a major blow for TV shows and media altogether. But I don’t think that maps should ever have to blur out anything just because it might cause some potential harm, mostly all censorship has done was sprout up paranoia and other kinds of fear because what they’re hiding or what they’re doing to free speech or it could be inappropriate for children or whatever insane reason there is and it’s brought no good for everyone except the people who think that it’s right.