US Public Broadcasting Shuts Down After $1.1B Congressional Defunding

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a key supporter of PBS, NPR, and over 1,500 local public television and radio stations, announced it will shut down following a Congressional decision to cut approximately $1.1 billion in its federal funding, marking the first time in over 50 years it has been excluded from receiving federal funds. This funding cut, championed by President Donald Trump and reinforced by the Senate Appropriations Committee, was based on claims that public media spreads politically biased views and is an unnecessary expense. CPB's closure will significantly impact public broadcasting, especially in rural communities, as many local stations rely on its financial support for operations and educational programming, including iconic shows like "Sesame Street" and documentaries by Ken Burns. CPB plans an orderly wind-down, ending most staff positions by September 30, with a small transition team remaining until January to manage final operations. Public media leaders have expressed concern over the shutdown's effect on serving audiences and maintaining trusted programming and emergency alert services nationwide. Despite millions of Americans petitioning Congress to preserve funding, CPB faces closure after nearly six decades as a steward of federal investment in public broadcasting.