The Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease operations on September 30th.

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

On 8/15/2025 at 11:19 AM, Big Rollo Smokes said:

 

Don't forget about R.B. Bugg, from "The Write Channel"...

Looks almost like "Uncle Ant"

one of the lesser-known characters from the short lived "Itchy & Scratchy & Friends" hour....
 

 

Edited August 16, 2025 by tyrannical bastard

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Another result of the cuts...

 

WEIU is dropping its PBS member status on Sept. 30th after 33 years. They'll go back to being an educational independent station for the first time since 1992.

 

https://www.wcia.com/news/education/eiu-announces-end-of-tv-stations-affiliation-with-pbs/amp/

[nathannah 2792]

South Dakota Public Broadcasting, which was already taking body blows from the Noem administration pre-DHS, is cutting state and local programming and resources for the state's educators. Legislature, high school sports and some arts coverage will be saved, but station shutdowns were on the table.

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

WCMH is reporting on the upcoming cuts to WOUB in Athens, Ohio.
https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/athens/heartbreaking-ohio-university-student-media-facing-1-75-million-in-budget-cuts/

 

WCMH is owned by Nexstar, and Athens, Ohio is in the fringes of the Columbus DMA with WSAZ, WQCW and WCHS available there as well.

Perry Sook is a 1980 graduate of Ohio University.

He and his wife donated to build the "Perry and Sandy Sook Academic Center" on campus at the north end of their football stadium.

 

Meanwhile, Nexstar is buying Tegna and could very well do the same to WBNS...

So is Nexstar trying to win some brownie points in Athens by reporting on WOUB's troubles when they're about to do far worse in Columbus?

 

[mer764KCTV5 213]

So, a couple of days ago, news broke out from Huntville, Alabama where multiple news outlets (including WAFF, WHNT and WZDX) are reporting that, starting October 1st, The Alabama Educational Television Commission-owned station WLRH is dropping NPR for local programming. 

[Dave Lampstein 287]

Several stories this week of layoffs, including WETA's announcement today.

 

I've been trying to track best I can and here's what I have come up with from the past year or so. Big asterisk as I used ChatGPT to build a table, hoping it kept the integrity of the data.

 

I know I am missing some as well.

 

• WETA (DC) — $17.5M CPB (12% of $140M revenue) → 21 staff (12 layoffs + 9 vacant)

• KQED (San Francisco) — $7.6M CPB (6.6% of revenue) → ~86 positions (45 layoffs, 12 buyouts, 10 vacancies, plus earlier 19+11)

• GBH (Boston) — ~7–8% of revenue from CPB → ~67–71 positions (45 + 13 + 9 across rounds)

• PBS North Carolina — $4.8M CPB (10.2% of $41.1M revenue) → ~25% staff reduction target (~14 vacancies + buyouts)

• Kentucky Educational Television (KET) — $4.2M CPB (19% of $21.7M revenue) → 36 positions (15 layoffs + 21 vacant)

• TPT (Minnesota) — $4.3M CPB (8.3% of revenue) → layoffs unspecified

• South Dakota PB — $2.2M CPB (20% of $11.1M revenue) → 20 positions (15 layoffs + 5 vacant)

• Houston Public Media — $2.2M CPB → 9 staff

• Vermont Public — $2M CPB (10% of revenue) → 15 positions

• WKAR (Michigan) — $2M risk (23% of budget) → 9 staff

• Alabama Public TV — $2.5M CPB (10% of $24M revenue) → 11 staff

• WQED (Pittsburgh) — $1.8M CPB + $62k RTL → 19 staff (35% workforce)

• NJ PBS (WNET) — $1.69M CPB (15% of revenue) + state $1M→$250k → ~18 staff across two rounds

• PBS Michiana – WNIT (Indiana) — $1M CPB (25% of $4M revenue) + $438k state → 5 layoffs + 2 reduced hours

• Illinois Public Media — $1.4M CPB (15% of $9.1M revenue) → 2 staff + 3 vacancies

• Rhode Island PBS / The Public’s Radio — $1.1M CPB (10% budget) → voluntary buyouts (unspecified)

• WFUV (New York) — $447k CPB CSG (7% of revenue) → 5 staff

• WFIT (Florida) — $240k CPB + state → 3 staff (50% workforce)

• PBS (national HQ) — CPB rescission (cut station dues by $35M) → ~100 staff (34 recent)

• APM/APMG (Minnesota) — ~$6M deficit tied to CPB + state cut ($4M→$2M) → ~45 staff (15 + 30 across rounds)

• NEPM (Massachusetts) — N/A CPB specifics → 7 staff

• Sesame Workshop (National) — 4% of budget (~$5.3M deficit) → layoffs unspecified

• Louisville Public Media (Kentucky) — deficit >$750k, CPB not broken out → 8 staff (prior) + new buyouts (unspecified)

 

Edited September 11, 2025 by Dave Lampstein

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

We now have our first major actual shutdown of a public broadcasting outlet as a result of these cuts: Penn State's WPSU-TV-FM.

 

They've just rejected a proposal to transfer the stations' licenses over to WHYY Philadelphia. Instead, they'll close by June 30th, 2026.

Edited September 12, 2025 by TheRolyPoly

[l_miro 245]

19 hours ago, TheRolyPoly said:

We now have our first major actual shutdown of a public broadcasting outlet as a result of these cuts: Penn State's WPSU-TV-FM.

 

They've just rejected a proposal to transfer the stations' licenses over to WHYY Philadelphia. Instead, they'll close by June 30th, 2026.

 

so, WHYY wanted WPSU-TV, and also wanted to get paid $17 million over 5 years to operate it. But... WHYY also wouldn't commit to keep anybody from WPSU-TV employed 

 

an for anyone who doesn't know, WPSU is on a reserved non-commercial educational broadcast channel designated by the FCC as such. The station can only be sold to an non-profit with educational mission, the channel can't be converted to commercial license so it can broadcast commercials. So the trustees can't just sell the station.

 

Edited September 12, 2025 by l_miro

[mer764KCTV5 213]

14 minutes ago, l_miro said:

 

so, WHYY wanted WPSU-TV, and also wanted to get paid $17 million over 5 years to operate it. But... WHYY also wouldn't commit to keep anybody from WPSU-TV employed 

 

an for anyone who doesn't know, WPSU is on a reserved non-commercial educational broadcast channel designated by the FCC as such. The station can only be sold to an non-profit with educational mission, the channel can't be converted to commercial license so it can broadcast commercials. So the trustees can't just sell the station.

 

But it doesn't made sense for Penn State to just shut the stations all together, plus couldn't PSU just asked WQED? 

[l_miro 245]

2 minutes ago, mer764KCTV5 said:

But it doesn't made sense for Penn State to just shut the stations all together, plus couldn't PSU just asked WQED? 

 

WQED has had its own share of financial struggles going back to $17 million debt and only stabilized itself around 2018-2019 they probably don't have the money because going off WHYY's reporting- WPSU ran a $4,000,000+ deficit for years, even with federal money coming in, and the university trustees had to shore that up using university funds. WHYY CEO said "WPSU has no revenue production capability". So that $17 mil offer from the trustees is really $77K w/fica for 44 people's salaries, leaving WHYY to pay out of pocket for transmitters, poewr, programming, a studio with equipment etc.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Waco already lost PBS years ago and now, they could be losing NPR as well.

 

https://www.insideradio.com/free/waco-s-kwbu-faces-funding-crisis-could-go-silent-by-year-s-end/article_3437971c-8a05-4444-9483-e253b84601f2.html

[l_miro 245]

the FCC non-commercial licenses are very rigid since they take taxpayer money, and PBS itself has made no attempts to push for a change that maybe replicates European government-owned broadcast stations as those by law set aside 20 minutes a day for commercials. Depending on the market, that much airtime could pay a nice amount of the expenses. 

 

I thought we could make a go at non-commercial licensed station but every idea you throw at it that is not a beg-a-thon or an underwriting announcement could result in license violation. You can't even ask cable for retrans fees, they are must-carry by default.

Edited September 12, 2025 by l_miro

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

On 9/8/2025 at 2:53 PM, mer764KCTV5 said:

So, a couple of days ago, news broke out from Huntville, Alabama where multiple news outlets (including WAFF, WHNT and WZDX) are reporting that, starting October 1st, The Alabama Educational Television Commission-owned station WLRH is dropping NPR for local programming. 

At least for the Huntsville area, they are still served by WJAB 90.9 with 100,000 watts owned by Alabama A&M University.

 

Elsewhere in the state, there's also Alabama Public Radio, which is NOT related to Alabama Public Television, but run by the University of Alabama.  The main station is in Tuscaloosa, with satellite stations in Muscle Shoals, Mobile, and Selma.  Mobile's station is WHIL-FM and was once owned and operated by Spring Hill College, but was sold to APR in 2012 which made it a satellite in the network.

 

In addition, there is WBHM in Birmingham, Troy University's WTSU (and WRWA in Dothan), Jacksonville State's WLJS, and Alabama State University's WVAS in Montgomery, in addition to NPR member stations in neighboring states.

MPB stations penetrate into Alabama as well,  but those will lose NPR next year along with PBS for their TV stations.

Edited September 13, 2025 by tyrannical bastard

[AmericanErrorist 267]

10 hours ago, l_miro said:

 

so, WHYY wanted WPSU-TV, and also wanted to get paid $17 million over 5 years to operate it. But... WHYY also wouldn't commit to keep anybody from WPSU-TV employed 

 

an for anyone who doesn't know, WPSU is on a reserved non-commercial educational broadcast channel designated by the FCC as such. The station can only be sold to an non-profit with educational mission, the channel can't be converted to commercial license so it can broadcast commercials. So the trustees can't just sell the station.

 

A non-for-profit godcaster like KLOVE or TBN could still buy it.

[l_miro 245]

52 minutes ago, AmericanErrorist said:

A non-for-profit godcaster like KLOVE or TBN could still buy it.

 

You would think that, logically why not I guess, but TBN is also losing money, at least as of the last 3-4 years they're heavily in the negative. They also have only 3 stations on designated non commercial channels

 

Their focus is now on tbn+ and the apps anyway

 

Edited September 13, 2025 by l_miro

[mre29 1967]

10 hours ago, l_miro said:

You would think that, logically why not I guess, but TBN is also losing money, at least as of the last 3-4 years they're heavily in the negative. They also have only 3 stations on designated non commercial channels

 

Their focus is now on tbn+ and the apps anyway

 

I noticed a few months ago that CBN is doing the same thing. Their current website doesn't have any info on where to watch The 700 Club except for their on-demand video site, even though it also airs on TBN, Impact Network, NRB-TV, and, of course, Freeform. In fact, a search for "Freeform" using the site's own search tool doesn't return any results. (I only found this old page via a Google search.)

 

[nathannah 2792]

58 minutes ago, mre29 said:

... of course, Freeform. In fact, a search for "Freeform" using the site's own search tool doesn't return any results. (I only found this old page via a Google search.)

They're probably very thankful that Spectrum is restoring Freeform this month because that channel lost most of its audience during that time, including their show.

[l_miro 245]

3 hours ago, mre29 said:

 

I noticed a few months ago that CBN is doing the same thing. Their current website doesn't have any info on where to watch The 700 Club except for their on-demand video site, even though it also airs on TBN, Impact Network, NRB-TV, and, of course, Freeform. In fact, a search for "Freeform" using the site's own search tool doesn't return any results. (I only found this old page via a Google search.)

 

 

Makes sense once you know how much they have to fork over to TBN and other station owners to air them. Form 990 for one of the pastors doing TV showed he was paying $381,519 to Daystar to air his program once a week for a year. CBN airs daily, so they're probably well over into the millions in fees just to have someone else air them

 

 

 

[mre29 1967]

4 hours ago, nathannah said:

They're probably very thankful that Spectrum is restoring Freeform this month because that channel lost most of its audience during that time, including their show.

 

Still, they and Disney are probably keeping an eye on how many viewers they get through Freeform. At some point, it'll be in both companies' best interest to kill the "in perpetuity" agreement and go their separate ways, likely with a notable  cash payment from Disney to CBN.

 

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

Hopefully at the very least, another PBS organization will buy the WPSU transmitter and simulcast their station for Central Pennsylvania.  

 

If WQED wasn't in such dire financial straits, they seem like they would be the most likely possibility.  Hopefully WVIA or PBS Lehigh Valley makes a move to expand their footprint.

[AmericanErrorist 267]

8 hours ago, l_miro said:

 

Makes sense once you know how much they have to fork over to TBN and other station owners to air them. Form 990 for one of the pastors doing TV showed he was paying $381,519 to Daystar to air his program once a week for a year. CBN airs daily, so they're probably well over into the millions in fees just to have someone else air them

Note that Daystar's financials aren't publicly available because it's legally a church.

[l_miro 245]

14 hours ago, AmericanErrorist said:

Note that Daystar's financials aren't publicly available because it's legally a church.

 

True, however there's a 2012 unsealed document showing Daystar finances that gives hint overall [https://trinityfi.org/investigations/profiting-from-death-daystar-squawks-church-but-waddles-business/]

Hal Lindsey Ministries has a form 990 from 2023 listing Daystar TV broadcast expense at $381,519. That would be 30 minutes on a Sunday evening in his case. Benny Hinn is on record, on a Daystar broadcast no less, saying he was paying them $40K+ a week. Another pastor who recently left Daystar after their scandal blew up said he was forking over ~$43K for a half hour or hour-long Sunday timeslot.

 

There are agencies who publish ratecards and they run inline with the rumors

[cg4 18]

On 9/13/2025 at 8:54 PM, tyrannical bastard said:

Hopefully at the very least, another PBS organization will buy the WPSU transmitter and simulcast their station for Central Pennsylvania.  

 

If WQED wasn't in such dire financial straits, they seem like they would be the most likely possibility.  Hopefully WVIA or PBS Lehigh Valley makes a move to expand their footprint.

WITF in Harrisburg may or may not be a possibility too.

[Megatron81 343]

On 9/13/2025 at 8:21 PM, mre29 said:

 

Still, they and Disney are probably keeping an eye on how many viewers they get through Freeform. At some point, it'll be in both companies' best interest to kill the "in perpetuity" agreement and go their separate ways, likely with a notable  cash payment from Disney to CBN.

 

 

I was always surprised that Disney wouldn't pay to just get rid of the 700 Club off Freeform. I don't know what will happen with WGVU NPR/PBS station in West Michigan looks like they have had lots of donations from an article and could lose about $1.4 Million from an article I just looked up from WOOD TV. 

[l_miro 245]

2 hours ago, Megatron81 said:

 

I was always surprised that Disney wouldn't pay to just get rid of the 700 Club off Freeform. I don't know what will happen with WGVU NPR/PBS station in West Michigan looks like they have had lots of donations from an article and could lose about $1.4 Million from an article I just looked up from WOOD TV. 

 

must be a good chunk of change needed to get 700 Club off the schedule. Be crazy if they also can't do it period.

WGVU has had operting loses even in 2023 with federal funding, they'll have to beat that, then donor attrition, along with 9.4% yearly rise in "administrative expenses"