GMAT Sentence Correction (SC) | Re: Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite

Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like nonfiction
books, seems to be on the rise.

like nonfiction books
as nonfiction books
as its interest in nonfiction books
like their interest in nonfiction books
like its interest in nonfiction books


here how can ITS refer to PUBLIC's

there is no reference to pronoun here right so how can E be the answer

E



can anyone please explain