I'd think one of the coolest things about Mr. Rodgers as a parent would be the complete lack of merchandising surrounding his "brand," or lack of. If I had a kid, I wouldn't even want to have a TV in the house because of all of the consumption messaging that kids are inundated with. It seems that every bit of educational programming is just stealth marketing to get you to pony up. That's not the worst part. The worst part is the values it teaches kids, and the fetishisation of consumer goods, -at least as I see it. Anyway, I'll see your red sweater and raise you a glove.
We got rid of cable several years ago. Our kids are older so there it's not like that are being saved from anything but the only reason the TV is on is so we can watch a movie or something similar as a family. It's turned out to be a really good thing.