Corporation For Public Broadcasting To Shut Down After Congress Eliminates Funding

Corporation For Public Broadcasting To Shut Down After Congress Eliminates Funding

By MinneapoliMedia Staff - August 1, 2025

Washington, D.C. — The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the nonprofit that serves as the primary federal funder of National Public Radio (NPR), the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and more than 1,500 local public television and radio stations, announced it will begin shutting down its operations following the complete elimination of its federal funding.

This dramatic decision follows Congress’s passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025, a broad spending rollback package that stripped approximately $1.1 billion in appropriations from CPB for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The legislation was signed by President Donald J. Trump in late July 2025, marking a significant shift in federal support for public media.

CPB’s Role and History

Created by the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, CPB was established to promote noncommercial educational broadcasting across the United States. CPB distributes federal funds to public media outlets, enabling stations to produce and deliver educational, cultural, and news programming to millions of Americans daily.

CPB funding helps support iconic programs such as:

• Sesame Street
• PBS NewsHour
• Frontline
• All Things Considered
• Morning Edition

Beyond national programming, CPB grants sustain thousands of local stations that provide news, emergency alerts, and educational content tailored to their communities — particularly in rural and underserved areas where commercial media is limited.

Impact of Funding Loss

CPB estimates that roughly 90% of its staff will be laid off by September 30, 2025, the close of the current fiscal year. A skeleton crew will remain until January 2026 to manage grant wind-downs, royalty payments, and legal compliance.

For many local stations, CPB grants represent between 10% and 90% of operating budgets. The loss of federal funding threatens closures or severe cutbacks, especially for small-market and rural broadcasters.

Stations like KCUW-FM in Washington, which relies on CPB for about 85% of its funding, have already announced plans to scale back local news coverage, educational programming, and community outreach.

Political and Legal Context

The funding cut followed several months of intense political debate. Conservative lawmakers, backed by President Trump and aligned Republicans, argued that public broadcasting is a “liberal propaganda machine” and that federal funding is no longer justified.

In May 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order removing three CPB board members, prompting legal challenges. CPB and public media entities such as NPR and PBS filed lawsuits alleging violations of First Amendment protections and due process under the U.S. Constitution.

The lawsuits claim that the administration’s actions were politically motivated and unlawfully targeted independent public media organizations.

Response from Public Media Leaders

Patricia de Stacy Harrison, CPB’s President and CEO since 2005, expressed profound regret over the funding loss:

“The rescission of federal support for public broadcasting threatens the very fabric of an informed democracy. We remain committed to serving the American people as long as possible, but these cuts will have devastating consequences for millions of listeners and viewers.”

NPR President Katherine Maher called the decision “a critical blow” and vowed to explore alternative funding sources but acknowledged the difficulty of replacing lost federal funds.

PBS President Paula Kerger stated:

“PBS is deeply grateful for the decades of support that enabled us to educate and inform. The loss of CPB funding will have a profound impact on the programs and services trusted by millions.”

What’s at Stake for Communities

• Educational Programming: Millions of children use PBS content daily in classrooms and homes. Shows like Sesame Street play a crucial role in early childhood literacy and development.
• Local Journalism: Many rural areas depend on public radio stations for credible local news, especially where commercial outlets have declined.
• Emergency Communications: Public stations are vital conduits for weather alerts and emergency information.
• Cultural Access: CPB-supported stations deliver arts, music, and cultural programming that reflects America’s diversity.

Congressional Outlook

Some members of Congress, including Democrats and moderate Republicans, have called for restoring CPB funding or finding bipartisan solutions. However, with the current Republican-controlled House and President Trump’s administration opposing such moves, the future of federal support for public broadcasting remains uncertain.

Conclusion

The shutdown of CPB marks an unprecedented contraction of the public media ecosystem in the United States. Millions of Americans, particularly in underserved and rural communities, face the loss of vital educational, cultural, and civic programming.

MinneapoliMedia will continue monitoring the situation and providing updates as this story evolves.

MinneapoliMedia