On Friday, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced it will begin winding down operations, leading to a complete closure, after the passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025 (H.R. 4) and the release of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
NPR President & CEO Katherine Maher has responded with the following statement:
“For over 50 years, the CPB has been a pillar of U.S. public broadcasting, providing critical funding for local stations, championing educational and cultural content, and supporting independent journalism. It has enabled NPR and others to deliver vital news and cultural programming nationwide. By upholding the Public Broadcasting Act’s values—amplifying diverse voices, fostering excellence, and serving underserved communities—CPB has empowered journalists, producers, and educators to create impactful content that informs, connects, and holds power accountable. The closure of CPB, triggered by H.R. 4, will reverberate across public media and the communities they serve, marking the loss of a vital institution and decades of expertise. We thank CPB staff for their dedicated service. NPR remains committed to our mission, partnering with Member stations to sustain local journalism, uphold independent reporting, and deliver cultural programming to the nation.”
CPB informed employees that the majority of staff positions will be eliminated with the close of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025. It said a small team would remain until January to "focus on compliance, fiscal distributions, and resolution of long-term financial obligations including ensuring continuity for music rights and royalties that remain essential to the public media system," according to the CPB statement.