Arkansas Becomes First State to Axe PBS Programming

"The end really began back in May, when Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to cease all federal funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Citing concerns of taxpayer money subsidizing what he called "biased media," Trump's order specifically targeted both NPR and PBS. The order not only meant no more funding for these institutions, but Trump even directed the FCC to investigate both for "potential unlawful discrimination.""

"In response to these developments, the CPB shut down after six decades. (The organization began in 1967, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Public Broadcasting Act.) This move came after what the CPB called the "extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding." But with a $1.1 billion deficit to overcome, there was seemingly no way through for the CPB."

"Which brings us to this week's announcement from the Arkansas Educational Television Commission. Per the commission, the maintenance of Arkansas PBS was deemed "simply not feasible" after the enterprise faced a $2.5 million reduction in annual funding (in addition to the cost of PBS membership fees). The programming change will go into effect on June 30th, 2026, but the branding change from Arkansas PBS to Arkansas TV (or ArkansasTV) seems to have already taken place."

Donald Trump signed an executive order in May to end all federal funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, citing concerns that taxpayer money subsidized what he called "biased media," and directing the FCC to investigate NPR and PBS for "potential unlawful discrimination." Congress passed legislation in July to withdraw federal funding, creating a $1.1 billion shortfall that led to the CPB's shutdown after six decades. The Arkansas Educational Television Commission reported that maintaining Arkansas PBS became "simply not feasible" after a $2.5 million annual funding reduction plus PBS membership costs. Arkansas PBS will rebrand to Arkansas TV on June 30, 2026, and pivot toward locally produced children's, food, and history programming.

Read at Consequence