The commission shall develop and support a statewide policy to encourage the orderly growth and development of public broadcasting service responsive to the informational, cultural, and educational needs of the people of California.

The commission may make grants to public broadcasting stations in order to aid in the improvement of their broadcast operations, programming, and capital facilities and equipment.

The commission may cause to be established, managed, and operated systems of interconnection and other methods of statewide distribution of public television and radio programs. At least two audio and one video channel of such interconnection system shall be reserved at all times for priority use by public broadcast stations.

The commission may, taking into account the advice of the radio committee or the T.V. committee, as appropriate, make grants for the development, production, and acquisition of public broadcast programming.

The commission may apply for, receive, and distribute federal funds, state funds, and other public or private funds from any source for all or any purposes of this chapter.

The commission may conduct, through grants or contracts, research and demonstration activities in matters relating to public broadcasting.

The commission may enter into contracts, leases, and other arrangements, and shall do all things necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this chapter, consistent with state and federal law, and may promulgate rules and regulations relative thereto.

The commission shall perform its duties under this chapter in a manner that will assure the maximum freedom of the public broadcasting stations and systems from interference with or control of program content, scheduling, or other activities.

The commission shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature, on or before December 31 of each year, covering the commission’s activities, financial condition, and accomplishments under this chapter for the preceding fiscal year ending June 30, as well as such recommendations as the commission deems appropriate.