PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)

Is PBS still operating?
Yes, PBS remains operational. Despite the loss of all federal funding through CPB and CPB's dissolution in January 2026, PBS has continued to distribute programming to its approximately 350 member stations. The organization cut its budget by 21%, reduced station dues, and laid off 15% of its workforce, but remains committed to serving the American public.

Is PBS publicly traded?
No, PBS is not publicly traded. It operates as a private, non-profit corporation governed by its member stations. PBS is funded through member station dues, corporate underwriting, foundation grants, philanthropic donations, and distribution revenue.

Who owns PBS?
PBS is not owned by any individual or commercial entity. It is a private, non-profit corporation governed by its member stations. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which was created by Congress in 1967 to channel federal funding to public broadcasting, was dissolved in January 2026. CPB was a separate organization from PBS and never "owned" PBS.

Who is the CEO of PBS?
Paula Kerger is the President and CEO of PBS. She has led the organization since 2006, making her the longest-serving CEO in PBS history. Kerger has guided PBS through the expansion of digital platforms, the launch of PBS Passport, and the most significant funding crisis in the organization's history.

What happened to federal funding for PBS?
On May 1, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14290 directing CPB to cease funding for NPR and PBS. On July 24, 2025, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, rescinding all federal appropriations for CPB for FY2026 and FY2027. CPB announced on August 1, 2025, that it would wind down operations. On January 5, 2026, CPB's board voted to dissolve the organization. Federal funding previously provided approximately 15% of PBS and station revenues.

How is PBS funded now?
PBS is funded through member station dues ($197.7 million proposed for FY2027), corporate underwriting, foundation grants, philanthropic donations through the PBS Foundation ($38 million in private grants plus $16.9 million in operating support for FY2027), distribution revenue from PBS Distribution ($77.5 million content investment), and viewer contributions. The Public Media Bridge Fund provides targeted support to stations with the greatest funding gaps.

What is PBS Passport?
PBS Passport is a streaming service that provides PBS members with on-demand access to PBS programs. PBS is working to expand live linear streaming options and improve the Passport user experience. Passport is available to donors who contribute to their local PBS station.

How many PBS stations are there?
PBS has approximately 350 member stations across the United States. Following the defunding crisis, PBS lost only a few member stations, primarily due to mergers rather than closures. In some states, state-subsidized networks threatened to drop PBS programming but have not done so.

PBS was founded in 1969 by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as a successor to National Educational Television (NET). The network was established to provide high-quality educational and cultural programming to the American public through non-commercial broadcasting. CPB had been created by Congress through the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, to serve as the primary custodian of federal investment in public broadcasting.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, PBS became known for acclaimed programming. "Sesame Street" debuted on PBS in 1969 and became one of the most influential children's television programs in history. "Masterpiece Theatre" brought British drama to American audiences. "The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour" (now PBS NewsHour) established PBS as a source for in-depth news coverage. "NOVA" and "Frontline" set standards for science and investigative journalism. Ken Burns's documentaries, beginning with "The Civil War" in 1990, became signature PBS programming.

Beginning with the Public Broadcasting Financing Act of 1975, Congress provided two-year advance appropriations to CPB to separate programming decisions from the pressures of the appropriations process and to allow for long-term planning. This structure was designed to shield public broadcasting from political pressure. For FY2025, Congress appropriated $535 million to CPB, with an additional $60 million for interconnection infrastructure. For FY2027, $535 million had been advance-appropriated under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025.

In the 1990s, PBS expanded into digital media with the launch of PBS Online (now PBS.org). In the 2000s and 2010s, PBS adapted to changing media consumption habits, introducing the PBS Passport streaming service for members and expanding digital offerings. PBS Kids became a dedicated channel for children's educational content. The organization maintained its commitment to educational programming while embracing new technologies.

Paula Kerger became CEO of PBS in 2006 and has led the organization through significant transformations, including the expansion of digital platforms, the launch of PBS Passport, and the transition to a new dues model for member stations. Under her leadership, PBS has maintained its position as America's most trusted public media institution.

In 2025, the Trump administration launched a multi-pronged assault on public media. On May 1, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14290, directing CPB to cease all direct and indirect funding for NPR and PBS. The order claimed that neither entity "presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens." PBS CEO Paula Kerger called it a "blatantly unlawful Executive Order, issued in the middle of the night." CPB stated that it was "not a federal executive agency subject to the President's authority" and that its board members were not government officers subject to the president's authority. FCC Chairperson Brendan Carr launched an investigation of NPR and PBS, contending that their corporate underwriting spots violated laws banning commercial advertisements.

On July 24, 2025, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 (P.L. 119-28), rescinding previously enacted appropriations for FY2026 and FY2027 for CPB. This ended nearly six decades of bipartisan support for federal funding of public broadcasting. On August 1, 2025, CPB announced it would begin an orderly winding down of operations. On January 5, 2026, CPB's board voted to completely dissolve the organization. PBS issued a statement on January 7, 2026, saying: "As this remarkable institution closes its doors, PBS remains strong and resolute. We remain committed to building on CPB's legacy by maintaining our service to the American people for years to come."

In August 2025, PBS cut its budget by 21% and reduced station dues by $35 million. In March 2026, the PBS board proposed a FY2027 budget of $323.6 million, a drop of approximately $46.5 million from the FY2026 budget. Station dues were proposed at $197.7 million, approximately $29.2 million less than FY2026, reflecting $25 million in member dues relief and $4.2 million related to stations that departed PBS membership. CEO Paula Kerger stated that management is focused on raising and distributing more money through philanthropic efforts, especially through the Public Media Bridge Fund.

PBS operates as a non-profit organization with a public service mission focused on education, civic engagement, and cultural enrichment. The organization's non-commercial nature is central to its ethical positioning, though this has been challenged by FCC Chairperson Brendan Carr's investigation into whether corporate underwriting spots violate commercial advertising bans.

PBS's educational mission includes providing free, high-quality educational content to children through PBS Kids, supporting classroom education through PBS LearningMedia, and serving underserved communities that may not have access to commercial media. The loss of Department of Education funding for Ready To Learn has affected PBS's ability to produce children's educational content.

PBS's community engagement is fundamental to its model. Member stations serve as community hubs, hosting town halls, debates, and local programming. CEO Paula Kerger has emphasized that in many small communities, public media stations are "such an important part of the fabric of those communities" and would not exist without support.

The Public Media Bridge Fund represents PBS's ethical commitment to ensuring that stations in underserved and rural communities can continue operating despite the loss of federal funding. This fund directs philanthropic resources to stations with the greatest funding gaps.

PBS has faced significant political and regulatory controversy in 2025 and 2026:

Executive Order 14290: On May 1, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14290, "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media," directing CPB to cease all direct and indirect funding for NPR and PBS. The order claimed that neither entity "presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens." PBS CEO Paula Kerger called it a "blatantly unlawful Executive Order, issued in the middle of the night." CPB stated it was "not a federal executive agency subject to the President's authority." The legality of the order was challenged in federal court.

Congressional Defunding: On July 24, 2025, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 (P.L. 119-28), rescinding previously enacted appropriations for FY2026 and FY2027 for CPB. This ended nearly six decades of bipartisan support for federal funding of public broadcasting. The rescission was part of a broader effort by the Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress to eliminate federal support for public media.

CPB Board Firings: The Trump administration attempted to fire three of the five CPB board members, all nominated by President Biden, without providing a reason. CPB sued the administration, stating that its board members were not government officers subject to the president's authority. Were the firings to succeed, it would have eliminated the quorum necessary for the CPB board to take actions.

FCC Investigation: FCC Chairperson Brendan Carr launched an investigation of NPR and PBS, contending that their corporate underwriting spots violate laws banning commercial advertisements. Carr used the investigation to question federal funding of the networks and their non-commercial status.

Allegations of Bias: The Trump administration and conservative critics have alleged that PBS and NPR exhibit liberal bias in their programming. PBS has defended its journalistic standards and editorial independence, noting that it has historically received bipartisan support.

Impact on Stations: The defunding has had real consequences for stations and communities. According to NPR reporting, some stations have laid off staff, reduced programming, or drawn on reserve funds. At least one joint NPR-PBS station laid off 20% of its staff. Some shows went dark. However, the system has proven more resilient than expected, with stations seeing increased viewer donations and philanthropic support.