"Things are very different now, which might explain why major cuts to PBS to NPR, enacted this summer, haven't generated much news now that they're actually working their way through the system. But they're very top of mind for PBS CEO Paula Kerger, who instituted a 21% budget cut following the clawbacks. She's been spending a lot of time looking for donations to shore things up. She is also still holding out hope that Congress can be convinced to restore the funding."
"The lion's share of the money the federal government appropriated was to stations. For some stations, it's a relatively small portion of their budget, but particularly in rural parts of the country - where I always say we have an outsize influence and importance - it's as much as 30 or 40%. And in the case of Eureka, California, 56% of their budget comes from the federal government."
Public broadcasting in America began in 1967 when Lyndon Johnson was President and only three broadcast TV networks existed. Major federal cuts this summer rescinded roughly $1 billion appropriated to public media, triggering operational impacts. PBS implemented a 21% budget reduction and sought donations to stabilize operations while pursuing Congressional restoration of funds. Many Americans lack understanding of PBS's purpose and funding sources. Federal support comprises a large share of some station budgets, especially in rural areas where it can be 30–40% and reach 56% in extreme cases like Eureka, California. A bridge fund of about $65 million has been deployed to assist at-risk stations, but at least one university station announced it could not sustain operations.
Read at Business Insider
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