CPB to Shut Down After $1.1 Billion Funding Cut

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced on August 1, 2025, that it will begin winding down operations following the rescission of $1.1 billion in federal funding. This decision comes after the passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 24, 2025, which rescinded $1.1 billion allocated to CPB over the next two years.

Established in 1967, CPB has been a primary source of funding for public media outlets such as PBS and NPR, supporting over 1,500 local radio and television stations across the United States. The defunding effort was part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to reduce federal support for public media, citing concerns over perceived political bias. CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison stated that most staff positions will be eliminated by September 30, 2025, with a small transition team remaining until January 2026 to manage the closure process. The shutdown is expected to significantly impact local stations, particularly in smaller communities, affecting services such as educational programming, emergency communications, and cultural content.

The Rescissions Act of 2025, introduced by Representative Steve Scalise (R–LA) on June 6, 2025, passed the House on June 12, 2025, with a narrow vote of 214–212, and the Senate on July 17, 2025, with a 51–48 vote. The act rescinded a total of $9 billion in federal funding, including $1.1 billion from CPB. Prior to the legislative cuts, President Trump signed Executive Order 14290 on May 1, 2025, titled "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media." This order directed CPB to cease all funding for NPR and PBS, citing concerns over perceived political bias. In response, NPR and PBS executives challenged the order's legality, arguing it violated the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967.

The funding cuts have sparked bipartisan criticism and concern over the future of public media. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) condemned the exclusion of CPB funding, citing the loss of support for over 1,500 stations nationwide. Kate Riley, CEO of America's Public Television Stations, expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity to rescue struggling local stations. Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns highlighted that smaller, rural stations, which people rely on for emergency alerts and educational programming, would be most impacted.

This is not the first time public broadcasting has faced funding challenges. However, the current cuts are unprecedented in scale and could lead to the closure of numerous local stations, particularly in rural areas. The defunding aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce federal support for media, citing concerns over perceived political bias.

The defunding and subsequent closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting signify a transformative moment for public media in the United States. As the nation grapples with the ramifications of this decision, the future of accessible, non-commercial broadcasting hangs in the balance, particularly for communities that have long depended on these services for education, information, and cultural enrichment.