In Tight Times, PBS Leans on Pledge Drives

Since 2005, the average amount of time PBS member stations devote to on-air pledge drives has increased by 9 percent, according to PBS. Some stations now devote a full 10 weeks a year to the special shows.

Driving the expansion is the same theme weaving through much of public television: money. Financially troubled state governments are rapidly cutting and sometimes eliminating subsidies for public media.