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Coventina

(29,172 posts) Fri Dec 12, 2025, 01:45 PM Dec 12

First state announces to have cut ties with PBS due to 'not feasible' costs

Arkansas has become the first U.S. state to sever its ties with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the network behind beloved programmes such as "Sesame Street," "Nova," and "Antiques Roadshow."

The Arkansas Educational Television Commission, comprising eight members appointed by the governor, announced on Thursday its intention to disaffiliate from PBS on July 1.

The commission cited annual membership dues of approximately $2.5 million as "not feasible," alongside an unexpected loss of a similar amount in federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

The CPB was targeted for closure earlier this year and subsequently defunded by Congress. PBS Arkansas will now rebrand as Arkansas TV, promising an increased focus on local content, according to Executive Director and CEO Carlton Wing, a former Republican state representative who took charge in September.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pbs-arkansas-july-cut-ties-funding-b2883441.html

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They should be happy: They got what they voted for!!

5 replies

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First state announces to have cut ties with PBS due to 'not feasible' costs (Original Post) Coventina Dec 12 OP

Few states have benefited more from PBS. Kid Berwyn Dec 12 #1

Arkansas, such a physically beautiful state - burdened with so many racists. harumph Dec 12 #2

Their focus will probably change from markodochartaigh Dec 12 #3

Arkansasans must find other ways to get their haids full of larnin. Sneederbunk Dec 12 #4

Most will catch it on antenna xmas74 Dec 12 #5

Kid Berwyn

(22,968 posts)

1. Few states have benefited more from PBS.

Reply to Coventina (Original post)

Fri Dec 12, 2025, 01:48 PM

Dec 12

Heartbreaking.

Then I remember who’s the gubner of Arkansas.

harumph

(3,113 posts)

2. Arkansas, such a physically beautiful state - burdened with so many racists.

Reply to Coventina (Original post)

Fri Dec 12, 2025, 02:04 PM

Dec 12

And they're loud and proud about it. I've visited a number of times and saw more stars and bars flying from pickups and from fences than in the actual deep south.

Edited to add: I know there are plenty of good democrats that live there as well and (respect). It just bums me out every time I visit.

markodochartaigh

(5,030 posts)

3. Their focus will probably change from

Reply to Coventina (Original post)

Fri Dec 12, 2025, 02:06 PM

Dec 12

"Sesame Street," "Nova," and "Antiques Roadshow" to high school football and religious programming. Their ratings will go up even as fewer children are inspired to study science.

Sneederbunk

(17,259 posts)

4. Arkansasans must find other ways to get their haids full of larnin.

Reply to Coventina (Original post)

Fri Dec 12, 2025, 02:34 PM

Dec 12

Last edited Fri Dec 12, 2025, 04:37 PM - Edit history (1)

xmas74

(30,022 posts)

5. Most will catch it on antenna

Reply to Coventina (Original post)

Fri Dec 12, 2025, 02:36 PM

Dec 12

From surrounding states.

It's still awful.

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