The Enduring Legacy of Arthur and the Threat to Public Media
On a bright April day in 1993, as I put the finishing touches on the artwork for "Arthur’s New Puppy," another installment in my series of children’s books, the telephone rang. On the other end was Carol Greenwald, a producer from WGBH, the esteemed Boston-based public media powerhouse responsible for countless award-winning children’s programs on PBS. Carol explained that after she and her children had attended one of my talks at the local library, she had been struck by an idea: to transform my "Arthur" books into an animated television series aimed at igniting a passion for reading in young minds.
The notion was exhilarating. Little did I know that nearly three decades later, "Arthur" would not only still be on the air but would also be celebrated as one of the longest-running animated children’s programs in television history, a testament to its enduring appeal and the critical role it plays in the lives of children and families.
Kids’ programming is the lifeblood of PBS. An overwhelming majority of parents, around 90%, consider PBS Kids content a reliable and secure haven for their children to engage with television, digital games, and mobile apps. This trust is well-earned. PBS Kids is committed to providing educational, enriching, and age-appropriate content that fosters learning, creativity, and social-emotional development. Furthermore, PBS Kids channels are accessible to an astonishing 98% of U.S. television households, ensuring that nearly every child in the nation has the opportunity to benefit from its programming.
However, the future of this vital resource is now under threat. The Trump administration, on May 1, signed an executive order with the intention of directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and all federal executive departments and agencies to cease funding PBS (and NPR). This decision poses a significant danger, not just to "Arthur" but to the entire landscape of educational programming for children across the country.
The potential impact of these funding cuts cannot be overstated. It is estimated that approximately 50% of children in America do not have access to preschool. In a world where the unregulated digital environment for children can be toxic, perilous, and driven by profit motives, with advertisers bombarding them with messages promoting unhealthy snacks and toys that their families may not be able to afford, public media stands as a vital safe space for our children.
PBS Kids’ shows, supported by Ready to Learn grants from the Department of Education, grants that are now at risk, are meticulously crafted with the input of child psychologists and education experts. These professionals ensure that the content is not only entertaining but also contributes to the overall well-being and development of children. The programming is designed to promote critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional intelligence, preparing children for success in school and in life.
Moreover, PBS Kids is noncommercial and freely accessible through broadcast television, even in remote areas. This ensures that every child, regardless of their family’s financial situation or geographic location, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and be entertained. It provides a level playing field, offering access to quality educational resources that might otherwise be out of reach for many families.
One of the qualities that has consistently distinguished "Arthur" is its ability to reflect real-life situations without bias, providing children with the tools they need to navigate the joys and challenges of growing up. The show addresses a wide range of topics, from friendship and family dynamics to more complex issues such as having a parent deployed in the military, understanding autism, and welcoming a new sibling into the family.
In one memorable episode, Buster, the beloved bunny character, even takes viewers on a tour of his lungs to help them understand what it’s like to live with asthma. These episodes have a profound impact on young viewers, helping them to develop empathy, understanding, and a sense of connection with others.
Over the years, I have received countless thank you letters from "Arthur" fans. Parents have shared how the show has helped them initiate important conversations about values and ideas with their children. Children, now grown into adults, have written to express how "Arthur" inspired them to pursue their dreams or helped them feel like they belonged.
One letter, in particular, will always hold a special place in my heart. It came from someone who was a second-grade student in New York City on the morning of September 11, 2001. He recounted how, witnessing the horrifying events at the World Trade Center from his school bus, he clutched his Arthur plush animal, which he had brought for show and tell. Arthur, in that moment of unimaginable fear and uncertainty, provided him with comfort, a sense of security that sustained him throughout that day and throughout his entire childhood.
Without federal funding, programs like "Arthur" may cease to exist. The consequences would be felt across the nation. All of America’s 356 local public television stations would be affected by funding cuts, but those serving rural, island, and tribal communities would experience the most devastating impact.
A 2023 study conducted by Protect My Public Media revealed the stark reality of these potential cuts. The study found that without funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 26 stations would be forced to go off the air, and an additional 23 stations would need to reduce their coverage areas, effectively cutting off rural audiences due to the high costs of reaching these communities.
This could mean that as many as 46.1 million Americans would lose access to public media, a resource that plays a critical role in public safety, education, and connecting communities. Public media provides essential information during emergencies, offers educational programming for children of all ages, and fosters a sense of community by sharing local stories and perspectives. It is a vital service that benefits everyone, everywhere, every day.
I simply cannot imagine Elwood City, the fictional town where Arthur and his friends live, without the presence of public media. And I cannot imagine a nation without access to it.
Marc Brown is the Emmy and George Foster Peabody award-winning author of the "Arthur" children’s book series and the co-creator of the PBS Kids series of the same name.
