Will PBS, NPR shut down? What to know after CPB announces closure
- - Will PBS, NPR shut down? What to know after CPB announces closure
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAYJanuary 7, 2026 at 1:04 AM
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After more than half a century in operation, the nonprofit responsible for funding public media giants NPR and PBS will dissolve following millions in budget cuts spurred by the Trump administration.
The board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) voted to dissolve the organization on Jan. 5 after Congress voted in July to claw back $1.1 billion that had been allocated for its use. President Donald Trump has rallied against the CPB, NPR and PBS since the start of his presidency, accusing the organizations of failing to present a "fair, accurate or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens." Trump has repeatedly targeted media organizations that he perceives as airing content that is unfavorable toward his administration.
CPB attributed its closure to the lack of funding and "sustained political attacks," saying it could no longer function as intended upon its 1967 founding, as previously reported by USA TODAY.
CPB was the primary funder of NPR, PBS and associated stations and properties. Both organizations have previously warned that they would struggle to continue operating without the support of federal monies.
NPR, PBS at risk: Board dissolves Corporation for Public Broadcasting after funding cuts
What is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting?
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that was created by Congress via the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. Its purpose was to provide funding and support for public media across the United States to enable greater and equitable access to information and education.
CPB provides millions in grants to local public-access television and radio stations, according to its website.
It is best known for funding National Public Radio (NPR), including its network of hundreds of local news sources and radio shows in communities across the country, and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), which airs educational television like "Sesame Street," concerts, cooking shows, documentaries, news and weather warnings. It was also once the home of other beloved shows, including "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" and Bob Ross' "The Joy of Painting."
What happened to CPB?
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting board of directors voted on Monday, Jan. 5, to dissolve the institution after funding cuts.
CPB had already announced on Aug. 1, 2025, that it would shutter following over $1 billion in federal funding cuts to the organization, USA TODAY previously reported.
"For more than half a century, CPB existed to ensure that all Americans — regardless of geography, income, or background — had access to trusted news, educational programming, and local storytelling," said President and CEO Patricia Harrison in a press release. "When the Administration and Congress rescinded federal funding, our Board faced a profound responsibility: CPB’s final act would be to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values by dissolving, rather than allowing the organization to remain defunded and vulnerable to additional attacks."
The corporation has said it will keep some employees on for an "orderly closure," which will include distributing remaining funds and supporting the American Archive of Public Broadcasting in its efforts to preserve "historic content." It has partnered University of Maryland to preserve its own archives, which the corporation said would be made publicly available.
Will NPR, PBS shut down?
NPR and PBS as a whole will not "shut down," at least for now, but many associated properties, especially those in more rural or lower-income areas, may suffer. CPB was a significant portion of NPR and PBS's funding but not all of it, meaning the organizations will have to find another means of filling in the multi-million dollar gaps.
CPB said that 70% of its federal funding went to locally owned public media stations, reaching roughly 99% of Americans. PBS advocates previously told USA TODAY the budget cuts would disproportionately affect rural areas, potentially worsening existing news and information deserts. It is unclear at this time just how many programs may be impacted.
Some trademark programming at risk has sought other solutions, such as "Sesame Street's" recent deal with Netflix.
USA TODAY has reached out to NPR and PBS for comment.
Contributing: Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press; BrieAnna J. Frank, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will PBS, NPR shutdown? What to know after news of CPB closure
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