Arkansas' statewide public TV network will end its PBS affiliation in July 2026 and rebrand as Arkansas TV. The Arkansas Educational Television Commission cited a $2.5 million annual cut in CPB funding and rising PBS membership costs. Programming will remain largely unchanged through June 30, 2026; afterward the network plans new locally produced children's, food and history series while keeping many long-running favorites. PBS called the move a loss for viewers and confirmed Arkansas is the first state to definitively sever ties.
Arkansas Public TV Will Leave PBS, Rebrand As "Arkansas TV" — Affiliation Ends July 2026
Arkansas will become first state to end PBS affiliation
CONWAY, Ark. — Arkansas' statewide public television network announced this week that it will end its affiliation with PBS in July 2026 and will rebrand as Arkansas TV, the Arkansas Educational Television Commission said.
The commission cited a $2.5 million annual reduction in federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the rising cost of PBS membership fees as the primary reasons for the decision. A news release from the commission described PBS dues as "simply not feasible."
Programming is expected to remain largely unchanged through June 30, 2026. After that date, the network plans to introduce new locally produced series — including children's, food and history programs currently in development — while continuing to air long-running favorites from its archive.
"Public television in Arkansas is not going away," Executive Director and CEO Carlton Wing said in the commission's release. "We invite you to join our vision for an increased focus on local programming, continuing to safeguard Arkansans in times of emergency and supporting our K-12 educators and students. We are confident that we can secure ongoing and increased support from individual donors, foundation partners and corporate sponsors who see the value in investing in new local programming that serves our state."
The commission said PBS content will remain available to Arkansas residents through other platforms after the affiliation ends, though PBS programming may no longer be available free over the air via the statewide network.
A PBS spokesperson told Nexstar's KNWA that the decision to end membership is "a blow to Arkansans who will lose free, over-the-air access to quality PBS programming they know and love." The spokesperson cited a June 2025 YouGov survey that PBS says showed broad public support for its programming in Arkansas, with respondents valuing children's educational shows, national news and public affairs, science, history and nature content, local programming, and weather and emergency alerts.
PBS confirmed in an email to The Associated Press that Arkansas is the first state to definitively sever ties with the broadcaster. The statement noted that Alabama recently considered a similar move but reversed course after backlash and continued its PBS contract.
Observers and coverage of the story also place CPB funding cuts in the broader context of political pressure and debate over public media funding, which has raised concerns about potential impacts on local public radio and television stations, particularly in smaller communities that rely on CPB support.
The Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the newly named Arkansas TV emphasized they will continue to provide emergency alerts and K-12 educational resources while pursuing diversified funding from individual donors, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Contributing reporting: The Associated Press. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc.
