If you want a good example of the value public broadcasting provides, compare the travel show of Rick Steves with those of the ad-backed Travel Channel. In Steves you have an honest, passionate, knowledgable host who provides immense value for any potential trips you might take, without any corporate filter pushing you in a certain direction.

With the Travel Channel you get shows like “Cruising 101, Sponsored by Carnival,” “Top 10 Sexiest Beaches, sponsored by the Miami Board of Tourism,” and “Check out these bull testicles I’m eating!”

There’s something to be said for information and entertainment that doesn’t have an agenda backed by ad dollars. I suppose people will argue that NPR is the same, only it has an agenda backed by tax dollars. I would counter by arguing that the only agenda that Rick Steves appears to have is for you to have an enjoyable vacation. That, and legalizing weed.