PBS Slashes Budget

PBS is slashing its budget by 21% to address Congress's decision to cut nearly $500 million in federal funding for public TV and radio, according to CEO Paula Kerger. 

The announcement, made in an email to station managers, follows a congressional vote that eliminated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

Paula Kruger

The NY Times reports PBS’s board also approved a $35 million reduction in member station dues, further straining revenue as local stations face their own budget shortfalls. Kerger noted that “hard choices” lie ahead despite efforts to stabilize finances.

The funding cuts have hit the entire public broadcasting system, including NPR, which is cutting $8 million from its budget. NPR’s CEO, Katherine Maher, described the reductions as a “first step” toward operating without federal support. PBS, more reliant on federal funds than NPR, is also losing $23 million from the Department of Education for children’s programming. 

The impact on daily operations is unclear, but popular shows like “Sesame Street” and “PBS NewsHour,” produced by third parties, may face funding gaps. Public media analyst Alex Curley predicts staff reductions as a likely outcome.