PULLMAN, Wash. – KWSU-TV is in its final year, according to an announcement by Washington State University.
The station will be discontinued by the end of the year and its operations will cease by the end of the year as an effort to reduce annual operating costs by $1.8 million, said the university.
The decision to close the station was made by the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University and leaders at Northwest Public Broadcasting.
KWSU is a regional television station, owned by Washington State University, serves the Pullman and Spokane Market.
“During this difficult time, we wish to thank all of our colleagues for their dedication, hard work, and the impactful contributions they have made to Northwest Public Broadcasting,” said Bruce Pinkleton, dean of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. “As we carefully evaluate the impact on employees and negotiate with the respective union, WSU is committed to mitigating the reduction to the best of its ability.”
The university reminded viewers, in its announcement, that other tv stations in the area would cover the news and that NWPB still operates a PBS station in Tri-Cities.
Northwest Public Broadcasting’s radio operations will not be impacted by the cuts.
The budget problems started for Northwest Public Broadcasting in fall 2023, when the company’s net position decreased by $1.6 million, according to WSU.
The following year, they reported a loss of a further $1.7 million.
The situation became more financially burdened for the station when it lost $1.95 million in annual funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting when Congress cut its funding.
Washington State University said that with Northwest Public Broadcasting’s new reductions, it should have a balanced budget by fall 2029.
