It might seem a little odd that public television, a medium that relies heavily on taxpayer donations, would do something as "commercial" as create its own blend of coffee, but that's exactly what it's doing. Some argue PBS is inching dangerously close to commercialism, but as PBS ombudsman Michael Getler writes in this column, PBS has sold videos and DVDs of its programming at a profit for years, and government funding and public support simply aren't enough. In fact, the government has asked PBS to make efforts to find new ways of raising money outside the usual means.

I don't see too much to get excited about here. PBS has always touted itself as quality television for viewers who are willing to shell out some cash for worthwhile programming, but the network has never been without corporate support, either. PBS has managed to survive in a capitalist marketplace, which makes it somewhat of an anomaly. Nevertheless, it can't exist in a vacuum, and if "commercial" endeavors like these are what it needs to survive, I'm not sure I can find fault with that.

Thanks to Bob at our sister site TV Squad.