OPB Programming Balance

Prime Time: 7 - 11PM, 7 days per week, 28 hours total.

Percent of Schedule

Program Type

Symbl

Hrs/wk

Description of Programming Category

25 %	British	B	7 hr	British imports - mystery, comedy, history, drama
21.4 %	News	Nz	6 hr	National political, business, economic
18 %	Nature	N	5 hr	Wildlife, science, travel, outdoors
14 %	Performance	P	4 hr	Music, dance, theater
11 %	Other	O	3 hr	Cooking, hobby, remodeling, sports, humor
7.1%	Documentary	D	2 hr	National public affairs, political, social
3.6 %	Local	L	1 hr	For, by, about Oregon - public affairs, environment, community

A simple programming analysis of one week* of OPB television reveals that only one hour is regularly scheduled local programming (for, by, about Oregonians.) Whatever else the schedule, its all imported, national focus shows. On those special occasions when OPB has shown adequately promoted Oregon productions, they have proven to be very popular with viewers, becoming some of their most watched programs. It is hard to justify spending 25% of prime time on British originated entertainment. And, just about every type of programming offered on OPB is available on other cable or satellite channels such as Arts & Entertainment, Discovery, Life, CNN, etc. Where is their civic and cultural obligation to their own people?

* It is difficult to define a typical week on OPB. The schedule shifts often with some programs that appear almost monthly, others are one-time specials. Pledge drive weeks totally alter the programming routine. And then the ever present sweeps months where, three times a year, Nielsen and Arbitron ratings are conducted and programmers go all-out to attract viewers.