Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Dissolve After Federal Funding Cut

After Nearly 60 Years, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Votes to Dissolve Amid Funding Cutbacks

For decades, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) served as the backbone of America’s public media landscape, channeling federal dollars to local public radio and television stations, including PBS and NPR. But on January 5, 2026, CPB’s board of directors voted to dissolve the organization, marking an abrupt end to an institution created by Congress in 1967 and long viewed as a cornerstone of educational and community journalism in the United States.

The decision to disband CPB follows a tumultuous year in which the nonprofit lost its federal funding — a financial lifeline it had relied on for more than half a century. In July 2025, Congress passed a rescissions package that rescinded roughly $1.1 billion in federal appropriations previously earmarked for CPB over two years. Shortly afterward, CPB began winding down operations, laying off most of its staff and entering a “close-out” phase, but many observers had still hoped the organization might survive in some form. Now, with the board choosing dissolution, that possibility has vanished.

In a prepared statement, Patricia Harrison, CPB’s president and CEO, explained that the board decided to dissolve rather than let the corporation remain a hollow shell “vulnerable to additional attacks.” The move, she said, was intended to protect the long-term integrity of public media at a time when political pressures had eroded its federal support. Board chair Ruby Calvert described the loss of funding as “devastating” but expressed hope that future Congresses would recognize public media’s role in education, culture, and democratic participation.

CPB’s dissolution is a seismic shift for public broadcasting across the country. Since its inception under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, the organization served as a federal intermediary, distributing funds to roughly 1,500 local radio and television stations. It did not produce content itself but helped underwrite a wide range of programming — from nightly news coverage on NPR to beloved PBS series, children’s educational shows, local documentaries, and emergency alert capabilities for smaller stations.

The organization’s closure comes after sustained political criticism from Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration, who for years argued that taxpayer support for public media represented biased reporting and unnecessary government subsidy. In 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing CPB to cease funding NPR and PBS directly, intensifying pressure on an institution already navigating the broader funding cut.

Despite the dissolution, public media entities including NPR and PBS will continue to operate — but without the central funding mechanism CPB provided. Many stations, especially in rural or economically challenged regions, depended on CPB grants for significant portions of their budgets. Without that support, these stations face an uncertain future, with some exploring reduced broadcast hours, layoffs, or affiliations changes. States like Arkansas have already seen public television affiliates drop PBS programming due to funding shortfalls.

In the face of these challenges, NPR and PBS have taken steps to adapt. Last fall, CPB reached a settlement with NPR to restore nearly $36 million in satellite infrastructure funding, a move that helped maintain essential technical systems temporarily. However, such agreements cannot replace the broad base of consistent funding that CPB once provided. Stations are increasingly turning to alternative revenue sources such as listener donations, grants from foundations, and corporate underwriting to stay afloat.

Indeed, the public’s response to CPB’s defunding has been complex. In some communities, especially among younger listeners and rural audiences, there has been a surge in what observers call “rage-giving” — spontaneous increases in donations and membership contributions as a reaction to funding cuts. This grassroots philanthropy has temporarily eased the blow for some stations, but sustainable financial models remain elusive for many.

Beyond financial concerns, CPB’s dissolution raises broader questions about the future of public media’s role in American society. Public broadcasters have long served as a resource for trusted local news, educational content, and cultural programming that commercial outlets often overlook. Many advocates argue that losing federal support fundamentally changes the media ecosystem, particularly in regions where public radio and television serve as key sources of impartial information and community engagement.

Some industry leaders remain optimistic that public media can survive and evolve. CPB’s leadership has committed to preserving its archives through partnerships with institutions like the University of Maryland, ensuring that decades of public broadcasting history remain accessible. Moreover, foundations such as Knight and Ford have pledged emergency funding to help sustain local stations during this transitional period.

Yet without the federal backbone that CPB once provided, public broadcasting in America enters a new and uncertain chapter. Whether it emerges resilient or fragmented may well depend on future public policy decisions, philanthropic investments, and the ongoing commitment of viewers and listeners who value independent, educational, and community-centered media.