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2mo ago

Congress Cuts All CPB Funding Through 2027, Public Media Outlets Scramble for Resources

A nationwide funding rollback has spurred stations to establish multimillion-dollar resiliency funds to keep emergency broadcasts and children’s programs alive.

Houston Public could lose $2.2 million a year if the House follows Senate in approving funding clawbacks.
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People participate in a rally to call on Congress to protect funding for US public broadcasters, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), outside the NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 2025. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)
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Overview

  • Congress approved the rescission package on 51–48 Senate and 216–213 House votes, stripping $1.1 billion in CPB support and ending all public broadcasting funds through 2027.
  • Houston Public Media launched a $4.4 million Resiliency Fund to offset a $2.2 million annual budget shortfall, equal to about 10 percent of its operating revenue.
  • Northern California Public Media and KQED announced layoffs, budget cuts and program reductions after losing roughly 9 percent of their funding.
  • Smaller rural stations warn that the clawback imperils Emergency Alert System transmissions and children’s educational shows, with some outlets facing potential closure.
  • Public broadcasters say they will lean heavily on listener donations, local underwriting and community partnerships to sustain news coverage and core services.