PBS Beats Out Commercial Networks on Web

Authored by Jay Baage on January 9, 2009 - 10:01am.

Arlington, Va. - The web site of Arlington-based PBS outdrew all commercial broadcast network sites in 2008, according to new figures from Internet measurement service Hitwise. PBS.org received a larger percentage share of U.S. visits more often than any network site, ranking No. 1 among those sites for 19 weeks. All told, the site was either first or second among the
broadcast network sites for 35 weeks in 2008, 11 weeks ahead of NBC, the
closest commercial network. And during the 2007-2008 TV season, PBS.org's
market share of visits among the six broadcast networks increased 25% over
the previous season. Jason Seiken, the senior vice president of PBS
Interactive, credited the traffic gains to search engine optimization and
the launch of new products, such as an online video player for kids. "Last
year was just the beginning of our major drive to attract new audiences,"
said Seiken, adding that the network is planning to launch a complete
redesign of its web site, as well as a new video player.