Seekers of knowledge, lovers of wholesome TV programming: The end is upon us. According to a new report from KNWA/KFTA (via The Hill), Arkansas will become the first state to end its affiliation with PBS beginning in July 2026.
The end really began back in May, when Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to cease all federal funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Citing concerns of taxpayer money subsidizing what he called “biased media,” Trump’s order specifically targeted both NPR and PBS. The order not only meant no more funding for these institutions, but Trump even directed the FCC to investigate both for “potential unlawful discrimination.” Congress followed suit by formally passing legislation clawing back federal funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in July.
In response to these developments, the CPB shut down after six decades. (The organization began in 1967, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Public Broadcasting Act.) This move came after what the CPB called the “extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding.” But with a $1.1 billion deficit to overcome, there was seemingly no way through for the CPB.
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Which brings us to this week’s announcement from the Arkansas Educational Television Commission. Per the commission, the maintenance of Arkansas PBS was deemed “simply not feasible” after the enterprise faced a $2.5 million reduction in annual funding (in addition to the cost of PBS membership fees). The programming change will go into effect on June 30th, 2026, but the branding change from Arkansas PBS to Arkansas TV (or ArkansasTV) seems to have already taken place.
While programming prior to the changeover will remain the same, the new station will eventually focus on “locally produced programming” that emphasizes “children’s, food, and history series currently in development.” It will also be supplemented by “favorites from the last 60 years.” (As much as 30 percent of the programming will come from the likes of the American Public Television and the National Educational Telecommunications Association.) Come next summer, Arkansas residents should still be able to access content via the PBS Passport app, which costs $60 per year.
In a statement, station CEO/executive director Carlton Wing maintained that their overarching mission will not change. “Public television in Arkansas is not going away,” Wing said. “In fact, we invite you to join our vision for an increased focus on local programming, continuing to safeguard Arkansans in times of emergency and supporting our K-12 educators and students. We are confident that we can secure ongoing and increased support from individual donors, foundation partners, and corporate sponsors who see the value in investing in new local programming that serves our state.”
And right now, there’s at least some upside. Speaking with Little Rock Public Radio, Marge Betley, CEO of the Arkansas PBS Foundation, said that organization does, in fact, expect an upswing in donations courtesy of backlash from the change.
“We are always temporary stewards of the organizations and the missions that we serve, and in order to do that job well, not just for the present but for future generations, we look at both our mission and our long-term sustainability,” Betley said.
And while Arkansas likely won’t be the last state to disaffiliate from PBS, it almost wasn’t the first, either. Per additional reporting from The Associated Press, Alabama had been planning a similar move, but decided to maintain its PBS contract following “backlash from viewers and donors.”
Stay tuned as more states either axe their PBS contracts or find ways to make up funding shortfalls and maintain membership. For what it’s worth, things are looking up at least somewhat for NPR. Back in November, the outlet reported that CPB had agreed to fulfill a $36 million, multi-year contract despite pressures from the Trump White House.
