The Arkansas Public Television Regulatory Commission voted Thursday to sever ties with PBS, becoming the first state to end its contract with the broadcast giant that provides popular TV shows such as “Sesame Street,” “Nova” and “Antiques Roadshow.”
The eight-member Arkansas Educational Television Commission announced in a press release Thursday that it plans to separate from PBS effective July 1, saying its annual membership fee of about $2.5 million is “unfeasible.” The commission is composed entirely of appointees from the governor. The press release also noted that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting unexpectedly lost about the same amount of federal funds, and the company Expected to close early this year and defunded by Congress.
Carlton Wing, executive director and CEO of PBS Arkansas, said in a statement that the agency is rebranding itself as Arkansas Television and will offer more local content. Win, a former Republican state representative, took over the agency in September.
“Public television in Arkansas is not going away,” Wen said. “Indeed, we invite you to join our vision to increase our focus on local programming, continue to protect Arkansans during emergencies, and support our K-12 educators and students.”
PBS confirmed in an email Thursday that Arkansas is the first state to explicitly cut ties with the broadcaster. alabama Consider actions like Last month, however, it chose to continue paying its contract with PBS after a public backlash from viewers and donors.
“The board’s decision to cancel PBS membership is a blow to Arkansans who will lose the opportunity to watch the quality PBS programming they know and love for free on the air,” a PBS spokesperson wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
The demise of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a direct result of President Donald Trump’s targeting of public media, which he has repeatedly said is promoting political and cultural views that are contrary to those America should espouse. The closures are expected to have a profound impact on the news and cultural landscape, particularly public radio and television stations small community Nationwide.
Rep. Andrew Collins, the Democratic leader in the Arkansas House of Representatives, called PBS’s demise in Arkansas sad. “This is certainly a loss for Arkansas families who value PBS programming,” he said.
CPB funds PBS and NPR, but the majority of its funding is allocated to more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations across the country.