Arkansas Leads the Way in Ending PBS Membership, Citing Feasibility Concerns

Arkansas is poised to make history as the first state to sever ties with PBS. This decision follows a vote by the Arkansas Educational Television Commission to end its contract with the public broadcasting company.

On Thursday, the eight-member commission, appointed entirely by the governor, announced plans to disaffiliate from PBS effective July 1. The commission cited annual membership dues of approximately $2.5 million as “simply not feasible.”

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Arkansas is set to become the first state to sever ties with PBS. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

The commission’s announcement also highlighted the unexpected loss of federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which was defunded by Congress earlier this year and is currently winding down operations. This decision comes amid President Donald Trump’s criticisms of public media, accusing it of promoting left-wing political and cultural views.

CPB plays a crucial role in funding PBS and NPR, distributing most of its resources to over 1,500 local public TV and radio stations across the United States.

Following the disaffiliation, PBS Arkansas will rebrand itself as Arkansas TV.

DOMINO’S REBRANDS FOR FIRST TIME IN OVER A DECADE

The Arkansas Educational Television Commission announced that it planned to disaffiliate from PBS starting July 1. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

Programming on PBS Arkansas is expected to remain largely unchanged until July 1, after which the network will shift its focus to locally produced content.

“Public television in Arkansas is not going away,” stated PBS Arkansas Executive Director and CEO Carlton Wing, a former Republican state representative. “In fact, 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,” he added.

PBS CEO Paula Kerger poses for a portrait at the PBS headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, on July 14, 2025. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

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A spokesperson for PBS commented to Arkansas outlet KNWA that the commission’s decision “is a blow to Arkansans who will lose free, over-the-air access to quality PBS programming they know and love.”

While Arkansas is the first state to end its affiliation with PBS, Alabama recently considered a similar move but opted to continue its contract with the broadcaster after facing public backlash.

Arkansas is poised to make history as the first state to sever ties with PBS. This decision follows a vote by the Arkansas Educational Television Commission to end its contract with the public broadcasting company.

On Thursday, the eight-member commission, appointed entirely by the governor, announced plans to disaffiliate from PBS effective July 1. The commission cited annual membership dues of approximately $2.5 million as “simply not feasible.”

TRUMP FUNDING CUTS FORCE PBS TO ELIMINATE 100 JOBS

Arkansas is set to become the first state to sever ties with PBS. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

The commission’s announcement also highlighted the unexpected loss of federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which was defunded by Congress earlier this year and is currently winding down operations. This decision comes amid President Donald Trump’s criticisms of public media, accusing it of promoting left-wing political and cultural views.

CPB plays a crucial role in funding PBS and NPR, distributing most of its resources to over 1,500 local public TV and radio stations across the United States.

Following the disaffiliation, PBS Arkansas will rebrand itself as Arkansas TV.

DOMINO’S REBRANDS FOR FIRST TIME IN OVER A DECADE

The Arkansas Educational Television Commission announced that it planned to disaffiliate from PBS starting July 1. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

Programming on PBS Arkansas is expected to remain largely unchanged until July 1, after which the network will shift its focus to locally produced content.

“Public television in Arkansas is not going away,” stated PBS Arkansas Executive Director and CEO Carlton Wing, a former Republican state representative. “In fact, 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,” he added.

PBS CEO Paula Kerger poses for a portrait at the PBS headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, on July 14, 2025. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

A spokesperson for PBS commented to Arkansas outlet KNWA that the commission’s decision “is a blow to Arkansans who will lose free, over-the-air access to quality PBS programming they know and love.”

While Arkansas is the first state to end its affiliation with PBS, Alabama recently considered a similar move but opted to continue its contract with the broadcaster after facing public backlash.