Happy Anniversary, KCET!

KCET, the public television station for Southern California, celebrates its 25th anniversary today, and there is much to celebrate.

Channel 28 was mired in a $5.5-million debt just a few years ago. Local and national programming fell by the wayside. The staff was decimated and demoralized.

Today the station is debt-free. Under William Kobin’s leadership, the budget, largely supported by individual and corporate donations, has swelled to $44.4 million. The ranks of subscribers have grown to 325,000. More families--an estimated 2.6 million households--are tuning in to fine fare such as the serious and intelligent “MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour” and the stimulating children’s show “Sesame Street.”

KCET can also take pride in locally produced shows. “By the Year 2000” focuses on the future challenges for Southern California. “American Playhouse’s” gripping play about an imaginary meeting between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, “The Meeting,” aired nationally on the public broadcasting system. But the station only produces one hour a week of local programming. There is certainly room for growth.

KCET serves a hugely diverse region. The station should produce more regularly scheduled programs that reflect the rainbow range of the human e x perience. Located in the nation’s entertainment and production capital, Channel 28 should lead the vanguard in arts, entertainment and drama productions for public television. All that will take is much more money.

A stronger commitment to local news is also warranted. KCET offers 2 minutes of locally produced news a day. WGBH, Boston’s highly rated public television station, offers a thoughtful news program at 10 p.m. every weeknight. Stations in New York and Chicago produce similar news shows. It is an expensive proposition, but worth emulating here when the money is in hand.

Public television, at its best, provides enlightening, provocative and engaging programs. Channel 28 is among the best. Tune in as KCET celebrates its 25th anniversary.