About UNC-TV's Mission, Governance and Funding:

UNC-TV's Mission

UNC-TV has a written strategic plan that is a public document, which includes this mission statement: Television has the power to change lives. Public Television has the responsibility to change lives for the better: a child far from urban resources is inspired to become a scientist, a high school dropout earns a GED, a homebound senior remains connected to the world of arts and culture, the family of an Alzheimer’s patient finds strength and support. UNC-TV’s unique programs and public media services provide people of all ages with enriching, life-changing television.

Fulfilling The Mission

UNC-TV receives feedback from viewers every day letting us know how much they appreciate our programs and services. More specifically, UNC-TV is watched by more than 4 million viewers each week, and more than 65,000 members send in their contributions each year to keep UNC-TV on the air. Each year, UNC-TV produces more than 400 hours of original local programming, making it a leader in the public television industry in that respect. In fiscal year 2009, 13,028 adult learners took advantage of broadcast courses that helped them earn their GEDs, and some 25,000 individuals took advantage of UNC-TV’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs. UNC-TV has received numerous regional Emmy Awards and many other honors for its programming and services over the years, including the 2010 Spectrum of Democracy Award from the North Carolina Center for Voter Education.

UNC-TV's Governance Structure

UNC-TV has a well-defined governance system that assures ample oversight that is both transparent and representative of the diverse views and interests of North Carolinians. As part of the University of North Carolina system, UNC-TV is ultimately responsible to the University’s Board of Governors, which owns UNC-TV's licenses to broadcast granted by the Federal Communications Commission. The Board of Governors is primarily appointed by the North Carolina General Assembly. In addition, UNC-TV’s Board of Trustees serves in a direct advisory capacity, assuring that public involvement and perspectives will have further influence on UNC-TV operations. The Board of Governors appoints 11 Board of Trustees members, the governor appoints four and the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house each appoint one. Five serve ex officio: the president of the University of North Carolina; the president of community colleges; the superintendent of public instruction; the secretary of health and human resources, and the secretary of cultural resources.

Public Broadcasting Funding

In the United States, public broadcasting is funded by a unique combination of public and private support, and that includes UNC-TV. Some have questioned this model and asked if there are better alternatives. In other countries that have some form of public television – the BBC in Great Britain and the CBC in Canada are probably the most familiar examples – public television and radio broadcasters are fully funded by the national government, removing the need for any form of fundraising, underwriting from private sources, or funding from local governments. Most countries in the world have adopted this model for funding public broadcasting.