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Judge Denies NPR’s Bid to Block CPB’s $57.9 Million Transfer for Public Radio Infrastructure

The decision allows CPB to move forward with a five-year grant to Public Media Infrastructure during its congressionally mandated wind-down.

Local NPR affiliates have been cutting staff and programming to make up for budget shortfalls since the Republican-led Congress clawed back funding for public media.
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, DC, on March 26, 2025. President Donald Trump said on March 25 that he would "love" to cut funding for the US public broadcasters, which reportedly will be reviewed by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency this week.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss declined NPR’s request for a temporary restraining order on Tuesday, clearing the way for CPB to fund a new distribution consortium.
  • CPB approved up to $57.9 million over five years for Public Media Infrastructure, whose founding partners include New York Public Radio, American Public Media, and PRX, to provide interconnection and related services.
  • NPR’s filing argued CPB unlawfully redirected congressionally appropriated PRSS funds, citing the Public Broadcasting Act and noting NPR’s four-decade stewardship of the Public Radio Satellite Service.
  • NPR warned of irreparable harm because its PRSS grant expired September 30 and said any transfer could be unrecoverable as CPB winds down after Congress rescinded about $1.1 billion in funding.
  • The ruling lands as stations grapple with cuts and cancellations across the country, with CPB distributing a final $7.1 million and larger outlets offering temporary fee relief to help smaller broadcasters.