As public media becomes increasingly interactive, the U.S. Public Broadcasting System (PBS) wants to build subscriber relationships, streamline donations, and offer special “members only” features when subscribers visit PBS-related websites. PBS can do this with the public media trust framework illustrated below.

This trust framework will enable public television viewers to register with their local PBS affiliate station, such as WGBH in Boston, WTTW in Chicago, or KCTS in Seattle, and sign up for a PBS OpenID or Information Card. This credential will then make it easy to login to any PBS-affiliated sites, prove you are a paid-up member, personalize the site, access special features, and make donations. It can even make it easier for children to prove they are PBS kids for safe access to popular PBS children’s show sites such as Sesame Street®, Arthur®, and Curious George®.