WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) will begin shutting down operations after Congress eliminated its funding for the first time in more than 50 years.
According to a CPB news release, the decision follows passage of a federal rescissions package and the Senate Appropriations Committee’s fiscal year 2026 Labor-HHS-Education funding bill, which excludes CPB funding.
Founded nearly six decades ago, CPB has supported educational programming, local journalism, emergency communications and cultural content through partnerships with public radio and television stations across the country.
“Despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, we now face the difficult reality of closing our operations,” said CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison. “CPB remains committed to fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities and supporting our partners through this transition with transparency and care.”
Most staff positions will end with the close of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. A smaller transition team will remain through January 2026 to oversee the closure, manage compliance and resolve financial obligations, including music rights and royalties.
CPB leadership said it will continue to provide updates and assist local stations and producers during the transition.
“Public media has been one of the most trusted institutions in American life, providing educational opportunity, emergency alerts, civil discourse, and cultural connection to every corner of the country,” Harrison said. “We are deeply grateful to our partners across the system for their resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to serving the American people.”
CPB’s board and executive team said they are working to meet all legal, financial and operational requirements of the closure process.
