Based on data collected by several individuals in recent years, this report is intended to provide an overview of American public broadcasting and its audiences. The size, characteristics, and viewing patterns of public, noncommercial television viewers are described. Among the findings cited in the report are the following: (1) 80 percent of American homes with televisions were within the signal reach of one or more public broadcasting stations; (2) about 30 percent of all television households tuned to a program on public television at least once during the week; (3) major national children's programs on public television reached almost 27 percent of the nation's television households during a four-week period; (4) most persons who view public television programs in the evening watched only one such program per week; and (5) although the evening programs on public television were more successful in reaching higher socioeconomic households, the total audience included large numbers of minority and lower socioeconomic viewers. A series of comments on the future of public broadcasting, a bibliography, and a list of American public television stations are also provided. (Author/DGC)