The Arkansas Educational Television Commission has voted to sever ties with the national PBS network, making Arkansas the first statewide public television system to disaffiliate following Congress's summer decision to strip more than $500 million in annual funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The move, effective July 1, 2026, will remove popular PBS shows such as “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Sesame Street,” “Nova,” and “Antiques Roadshow” from over-the-air broadcast in Arkansas, though many programs may remain accessible online or via streaming.
The network is rebranding immediately to Arkansas TV, with plans to significantly increase locally produced content focused on the state's people, places, history, cuisine, and community issues.
“We were forced to choose between keeping PBS or losing public media in Arkansas altogether,” Wing said, emphasizing essential services like severe weather alerts for tornado-prone areas remain a priority. Currently, only about 5.5% of aired content is locally produced, a figure he vowed to “multiply in short order.”
A PBS spokesperson called the disaffiliation “a blow to Arkansans who will lose free, over-the-air access to quality PBS programming they know and love,” noting a June YouGov survey found over 70% of residents view PBS as providing excellent community value.
Wing expressed openness to alternatives, including reconsidering ties if PBS reduces fees, adding that the network anticipates growing support from donors, foundations, and sponsors for its new Arkansas-centered focus.