The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a non-profit public broadcasting television service with 354 member TV stations in the United States, with some member stations available over the air and by cable in Canada. While the term "broadcasting" encompasses both radio and television, PBS only covers TV; public radio the United States is served by National Public Radio, as well as content providers American Public Media, and Public Radio International.
PBS was founded on November 3 1969, at which time it took over many of the functions of its predecessor, National Educational Television (NET) (which merged with station WNDT Newark, New Jersey to form WNET). It commenced broadcasting on Monday, October 5, 1970. In 1973, it merged with Educational Television Stations.
PBS is a non-profit, private corporation which is owned collectively by its member stations. However, its operations are largely funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a separate entity funded by the U.S. federal government. Its headquarters are in Arlington, Virginia.
