The Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted to end its PBS membership effective July 1, citing about $2.5 million in annual dues and a comparable loss of federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. PBS Arkansas will rebrand as Arkansas TV and emphasize local programming, emergency broadcasts and K‑12 support, according to Executive Director Carlton Wing. PBS warned viewers they could lose free, over‑the‑air access to national shows, while advocates say CPB funding cuts threaten smaller public stations nationwide.
Arkansas Becomes First State To Cut Ties With PBS; Stations To Rebrand As Arkansas TV
FILE - An entrance to the Arizona PBS offices in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Phoenix is seen, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Katie Oyan, File)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted Thursday to end its membership with PBS, making Arkansas the first state to officially sever its contract with the public broadcaster. The decision takes effect July 1.
The eight-member commission, whose members are all gubernatorial appointees, said in a news release that annual PBS membership dues of about $2.5 million were "not feasible." The release also cited the unexpected loss of roughly the same amount in federal support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which had been targeted for elimination earlier this year and subsequently saw its federal funding reduced by Congress.
Executive Director and CEO Carlton Wing — a former Republican state representative who took the helm of the agency in September — said PBS Arkansas will rebrand as Arkansas TV and place a greater emphasis on locally produced content.
"Public television in Arkansas is not going away," Wing said. "We invite viewers to join our vision for an increased focus on local programming, continued emergency broadcasts and strengthened support for K‑12 educators and students."
PBS confirmed by email that Arkansas is the first state to definitively disaffiliate. The network warned that the commission’s decision will mean many Arkansans lose free, over‑the‑air access to popular national programs such as Sesame Street, Nova and Antiques Roadshow. Alabama considered a similar move last month but reversed course after public backlash from viewers and donors.
Supporters of federal public media funding say cuts to the CPB will have wide repercussions. CPB distributes most of its funding to more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations around the country and provides financial support to both PBS and NPR. Critics of the funding reductions have warned that small community stations could be especially affected.
Arkansas House Democratic Leader Rep. Andrew Collins called the commission’s decision "sad," saying it is a loss for Arkansas families who value PBS programming. The debate underscores the tension between rising operating costs, shrinking federal support and the choice by some state broadcasters to pursue a more local programming strategy.
What Changes Might Viewers See?
Under the rebrand to Arkansas TV, the network says it will expand local news and cultural programming and continue to provide emergency information and educational resources for students and teachers. At the same time, without a PBS membership the station may no longer carry many national series that have long been staples for public television audiences.
