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Arkansas Becomes First State to Disaffiliate from PBS

12/15/2025

30 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted to end its contract with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), making Arkansas the first state to disaffiliate, effective July 1, after President Donald Trump's criticism of public media.
It cited $2.5 million in dues as unfeasible and the loss of federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
PBS Arkansas will rebrand as Arkansas TV and focus on local content.

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Story summary

Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted to end its contract with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), making Arkansas the first state to disaffiliate, effective July 1, after President Donald Trump's criticism of public media.
It cited $2.5 million in dues as unfeasible and the loss of federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
PBS Arkansas will rebrand as Arkansas TV and focus on local content.