Hey, it's Al. Friday is the birthday of Fred Rogers, the incomparable host of the TV show, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, and a true public media icon. And to celebrate his life and work, we're bringing you a special bonus episode. It was originally part of a show that came out last November. I hope you enjoy it. Okay, here it is.

From the Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, this is Reveal. I'm Al Leighton.

Let's go back to 1961. Television is blowing up. 90% of Americans have TV sets in their homes. People are hooked,

especially kids. The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission at the time is a guy named

Newton Minow, and he's concerned. So at an annual meeting of the national broadcasters, he gives

a fiery speech and challenges them to watch their own stations for a day.

Without a profit and loss sheet or a rating book to distract you, keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off.

I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland.

Minow thinks bad TV is bad for people, especially children.

Is there no room for a children's news show explaining something to them about the world

at their level of understanding?

He says, sure, TV can entertain, but let it teach something too.

As you may have gathered, I would like to see television improved. But how is this to be

brought about? By voluntary action, by the broadcasters themselves, by direct government intervention,

or how? The how came seven years later when Congress created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,

or CPB.

It was the start of an era that would lead to decades of award-winning children's television,

shows like Sesame Street,

The Electro Company,

Reading Rainbow,

It's in a book, reading rainbow Reading Rainbow Reading Rainbow And of course Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood

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