The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is shutting down after nearly six decades, hitting public media hard. With federal funding cut off, they’ll wind down operations and preserve what they can.
After 58 years of serving the American public, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Board of Directors has officially voted to dissolve the organization. This decision follows Congress’s withdrawal of all federal funding, a move influenced by President Trump.
The CPB Board concluded that carrying on as an unfunded entity wouldn’t benefit the public and could put the organization at risk for political abuse and legal issues. Instead, they plan to execute an orderly closure, allocating remaining funds according to congressional intent and partnering with the American Archive of Public Broadcasting and the University of Maryland to safeguard their archives.
Founded by the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, CPB played a significant role in establishing a national network of over 1,500 locally operated public radio and television stations. Throughout its history, public broadcasting earned a reputation as a trusted service, providing educational programming, sharing vital emergency information during crises, and supporting local journalism that fosters community engagement and enhances civic involvement.
Ruby Calvert, Chair of the CPB Board, expressed her dismay, stating, “What has happened to public media is devastating. After nearly six decades of valuable service, Congress has eliminated all funding for CPB, leaving us with no means to continue our mission or support the public media system that relies on us. Nonetheless, I remain optimistic that public media will endure and that a future Congress will recognize its importance for our children’s education, our culture, and the health of our democracy.”
The loss of CPB funding has led to immediate layoffs at various public radio stations and forced urgent budget evaluations across the country. Tensions heightened between NPR and CPB during this period, culminating in a legal dispute over control of the Public Radio Satellite System. CPB had redirected $57.9 million in funding to a consortium known as Public Media Infrastructure, which included organizations like PRX and American Public Media Group.
NPR accused CPB of yielding to political pressure from the White House after the executive order aimed at defunding NPR and PBS. However, CPB defended their decision as a necessary step to modernize public radio distribution and meet the needs of diverse stations, dismissing NPR’s claims as unfounded.
The two parties reached a settlement in November, with NPR receiving $35.96 million to maintain satellite system operations while Public Media Infrastructure obtained its funding for technological advancements. Both parties declared victory, although NPR continues to challenge the constitutionality of the executive order in court.
Patricia Harrison, CPB President and CEO, reflected on the organization’s mission, stating, “For over half a century, CPB existed to ensure that all Americans—regardless of geography, income, or background—had access to reliable news and educational programming. With the loss of federal funding, our Board faced a monumental responsibility: we had to preserve the integrity of the public media system by dissolving rather than leaving the organization defunded and vulnerable to further attacks.”
“Public media is vital to a robust democracy,” Harrison added. “We hope that future leaders will recognize its significance, safeguard its independence, and continue the work of providing trustworthy, educational, and community-focused media accessible to all Americans.”
