Fifty years ago, on Nov. 7, 1967, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Public Broadcasting Act, ushering in a new era of independent, non-commercial media dedicated to public service, education and, in his words, “satisfying America’s appetite for excellence.” Buffalo Toronto Public Media joins America in saluting this national treasure.

The legislation created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which serves as the linchpin of a unique public-private partnership that today sustains nearly 1,500 local public television and radio stations across the country by distributing federal funding amounting to roughly $1.35 per citizen, per year. At Buffalo Toronto Public Media, this investment is critical to our operations. We leverage federal funding – many times over – to provide a welcoming space for childhood education and lifelong learning, the arts and culture, history, science, and civil discourse in Western New York and Southern Ontario.

At a time when local news coverage is dramatically reduced, public media stations are expanding their journalism network, innovating in their storytelling and reaching audiences on platforms they prefer, anytime, anywhere.

Today’s public media offers a rare space for award-winning content from trusted children’s programming to in-depth public affairs, science, history, performing arts, and culture. Fifty years of public broadcasting is something we can take pride in, and it would not be possible without the public’s support. Thank you.