I agree...great programming.
But why not start an educational channel and go for sponsorship that is commercial free? It can be done!
PBS was for the days when people didn't have access to cable and everyone had four channels. Apparently, we are subsidizing cable now for the poor, so access solves that problem...
I really don't agree with subsidizing cable. It's welfare for the cable companies, and it's welfare for the people getting cable.
However, I like the fact that PBS isn't simply an educational programming channel either. The fact that they don't have to rely on advertising and sponsorships means that they can take some chances on programming, and ideally it should cost less for a show to get themselves on PBS as compared to another channel. Ideally, this means that we would get more creative ideas out there.
Of course, you can always argue that the free market will promote good creative ideas, but considering the glut of reality TV we have right now...