Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Arkansas Cuts Ties with PBS, Launches Local TV Service

12/12/2025

39 8

Summary

Story summary

The Arkansas Educational Television Commission severed ties with PBS, becoming the first state to do so, effective July 1.
The move reflects $2.5 million in membership dues deemed "not feasible" and a loss of federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Arkansas TV will replace PBS Arkansas with a local-content service.
Arkansas House Democratic Leader Andrew Collins called the decision a loss for families valuing PBS programming.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Arkansas Educational Television Commission severed ties with PBS, becoming the first state to do so, effective July 1.
The move reflects $2.5 million in membership dues deemed "not feasible" and a loss of federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Arkansas TV will replace PBS Arkansas with a local-content service.
Arkansas House Democratic Leader Andrew Collins called the decision a loss for families valuing PBS programming.