(Bloomberg) – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has announced its plans to conclude operations after President Donald Trump finalized a budget cuts deal that stripped away its federal funding.
Patricia Harrison, the CPB’s President and CEO, stated on Friday, “Despite the dedicated efforts of millions of Americans who reached out to Congress to keep federal funding for CPB, we now confront the tough reality of winding down our operations.”
She emphasized that the organization remains dedicated to its fiduciary responsibilities and will work closely with its partners throughout this transition period.
In a move that affects many, CPB has informed its staff that most positions will be terminated by the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025. The corporation had a workforce of 105 people as of last year.
Recently, Congress reclaimed $535 million that had been allocated to CPB up until 2027. This cut forms part of a larger $9 billion budget reduction strategy associated with Elon Musk’s initiative to promote government efficiency. Notably, Musk left this oversight position back in May.
This legislation marks the conclusion of over fifty years of federal funding for the CPB, which plays a crucial role in financing both the Public Broadcasting System and National Public Radio (NPR). These networks typically rely on government support alongside funding from sponsors and private donors. Advocates of public broadcasting express concern that this cut to CPB will lead to the shutdown of many smaller stations in rural areas across the nation.
Jason Phelps, a representative for PBS, remarked, “For more than half a century, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has collaborated with PBS and its member stations to serve communities throughout the country. As CPB winds down, PBS is committed to upholding its legacy and continuing our service to the American public in the future.”
Katherine Maher, NPR’s President and CEO, voiced that the closing of CPB symbolizes the loss of a major organization that has embodied decades of knowledge and experience.
She added, “We intend to meet this challenge by bolstering locally owned, nonprofit public radio stations and journalism across the U.S., ensuring we maintain public media’s commitment to universal service as well as the highest standards for independent journalism and cultural initiatives for our nation.”
The most recent tax records for the nonprofit CPB reveal that an enormous 99.8% of its revenue originated from government grants.
Importantly, more than 70% of this federal support is channeled directly to over 1,500 local public radio and television outlets. For many stations, this funding accounts for approximately 13% of their total income.
For more than thirty years, public broadcasting has been criticized by both cultural and fiscal conservatives, who often claim that its national programming and news lean to the left.
In March, Trump commented, “The kind of money that’s being wasted, it’s a very biased view. And I’d be honored to see it end.”
