Arkansas ending PBS programming next year

[KilowattKat]

Arkansas PBS will need to find a new name when the statewide public television network ends its relationship with PBS on July 1, 2026.

Arkansas becoming 1st state to sever ties with PBS, effective July 1

The commission that oversees public television in Arkansas voted Thursday to sever ties with PBS, making it the first state to end its contract with the broadcast giant that provides popular television programs such as “Sesame Street,” “Nova” and “Antiques Roadshow.”

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Arkansas becoming 1st state to sever ties with PBS, effective July 1

The commission that oversees public television in Arkansas has voted to sever ties with PBS, making it the first state to end its contract with the broadcast giant.

apnews.com

Arkansas PBS rebrands to Arkansas TV, ending long-standing affiliation with PBS

59 years after they first signed on the air, Arkansas PBS is undergoing a major change.The company will soon be known as "Arkansas TV" after announcing Thursda

katv.com

Apparently the new TV network taking over Arkansas PBS is Arkansas TV. Umm if that’s the case wouldn’t an out of state PBS affiliate have to take over? Such as KERA Dallas, KUHT Houston, if one is thinking getting a PBS affiliate in nearby states or go as far as have WETA-TV, WGBH-TV and KQED-TV to get superstation status to cover Arkansas? Yes Superstations are supposed to be in the past but the way this hits hard given the CPB recissions.

 

[K.M. Richards]

"Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?"

"Sorry, kid, it's a dead end now."

 

[TheBigA]

As I said last summer when the rescission happened, this funding cut will hurt red states more than blue states. No state is redder than Arkansas. So this isn't much of a surprise.

It'll be interesting to see how they deal with this. Obviously a political decision, made by the governor. It'll be hard to find comparable programming for less than what they paid PBS. Whatever they get, it won't satisfy the current member base. I expect the station's members to sue. I don't know what percentage of the budget comes from members. It's usually around 40%. If all that money goes away, they'll be in a really tough situation. The state won't want to increase funding. At some point, the state might want to offload the whole system, because it's not something repubs are usually interested in.

 

[Mediafrog+]

It'll be hard to find comparable programming for less than what they paid PBS.

It will really hit home when they look at a blank broadcast schedule and realize there is a huge amount of time to fill. Doing so will cost $$$$$$. Where on earth is the money for all those “local” productions going to come from?

Sounds like “Arkansas TV” may become a glorified PEG channel.

 

[TheBigA]

It will really hit home when they look at a blank broadcast schedule and realize there is a huge amount of time to fill. Doing so will cost $$$$$$. Where on earth is the money for all those “local” productions going to come from?

The daytime programming is mainly PBS Kids and repeats of PBS prime time. Big holes in all dayparts.

I think the main problem will be holding on to membership money. Since it's name is ArkansasPBSFoundation, I imagine they'll have something to say about this decision.

 

[powers]

Apparently the new TV network taking over Arkansas PBS is Arkansas TV. Umm if that’s the case wouldn’t an out of state PBS affiliate have to take over? Such as KERA Dallas, KUHT Houston, if one is thinking getting a PBS affiliate in nearby states or go as far as have WETA-TV, WGBH-TV and KQED-TV to get superstation status to cover Arkansas? Yes Superstations are supposed to be in the past but the way this hits hard given the CPB recissions.

Didn't PBS used to (or maybe still does) have a National feed 24/7? Perhaps Cable and Live streaming outlets could just take that feed if it still exists, or default to the nearest PBS station in the region. For OTA perhaps the old translators or stations could also pull that feed....no, wait....I just reminded myself that they will be taking Arkansas TV. Also, I think Amazon Prime Video is streaming local PBS stations for free, plus the PBS app also does this. In some areas, you actually get a choice of more than one PBS station. it would be a potential solution.

 

[KilowattKat]

Didn't PBS used to (or maybe still does) have a National feed 24/7? Perhaps Cable and Live streaming outlets could just take that feed if it still exists, or default to the nearest PBS station in the region. For OTA perhaps the old translators or stations could also pull that feed....no, wait....I just reminded myself that they will be taking Arkansas TV. Also, I think Amazon Prime Video is streaming local PBS stations for free, plus the PBS app also does this. In some areas, you actually get a choice of more than one PBS station. it would be a potential solution.

PBS members also have access to the 'Passport' app for streaming of the PBS shows. I haven't looked at the Arkansas PBS schedule to see if they produce any shows there locally.

 

[ted chittenden]

As I said last summer when the rescission happened, this funding cut will hurt red states more than blue states. No state is redder than Arkansas. So this isn't much of a surprise.

It'll be interesting to see how they deal with this. Obviously a political decision, made by the governor. It'll be hard to find comparable programming for less than what they paid PBS. Whatever they get, it won't satisfy the current member base. I expect the station's members to sue. I don't know what percentage of the budget comes from members. It's usually around 40%. If all that money goes away, they'll be in a really tough situation. The state won't want to increase funding. At some point, the state might want to offload the whole system, because it's not something repubs are usually interested in.

I'm going to paste my comments on another broader thread on this matter here as I think they dovetail nicely with @TheBigA's response above.

As in Alabama and Florida, this was primarily a political decision. The new service does not yet have programming in place to replace the programming it will lose; and it does not have a commitment from the Arkansas state legislature to support replacement program purchases. And I'd be very surprised if
donors to the PBS stations are going to be willing to step up for the new Arkansas TV. My best guess is that the new Arkansas TV is going to go downhill *very, *very fast once it loses its PBS programming. Look for a religious operator to attempt to take over the show by the end of 2026, if not sooner.

Finally, I'll note that, as with most of the places where PBS and NPR ties are being cut, the cutting here is being done by a former member of the 1861 Confederacy.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Didn't PBS used to (or maybe still does) have a National feed 24/7? Perhaps Cable and Live streaming outlets could just take that feed if it still exists, or default to the nearest PBS station in the region. For OTA perhaps the old translators or stations could also pull that feed....no, wait....I just reminded myself that they will be taking Arkansas TV. Also, I think Amazon Prime Video is streaming local PBS stations for free, plus the PBS app also does this. In some areas, you actually get a choice of more than one PBS station. it would be a potential solution.

True but who gets the donor money from PBS viewers in Arkansas if Arkansas TV does not get it due to them cutting their affiliation. This is not like NJ PBS going off the air. But in New Jersey’s case WNET New York and WHYY Philadelphia serves parts of New Jersey. This is going to be a challenge in 2026. Arkansas donations to PBS would have to go other parts of the country but where?

 

[powers]

Yes, agreed. @Y2kTheNewOldies - it will be an interesting cluster (you know the rest of that word).... I guess if PBS is not broadcasting locally in Arkansas then nobody gets it there. Donors would likely give to the national PBS feed if there is a way to do that, or through Passport. Or, they would just give to the PBS station of their choice depending on whatever station serves them now.

 

[TheBigA]

This article says they will get programming from American Public TV. They produce 5% of their programming locally:

Arkansas PBS rebrands, disaffiliates with national PBS

The broadcaster is dropping all PBS programming, effective June 30, and is re-branding to become Arkansas TV.

www.ualrpublicradio.org

The article also talks about PBS options in Arkansas.

 

[Mr Tony]

Didn't PBS used to (or maybe still does) have a National feed 24/7?

They still do. If you have a KU Band dish (36" or bigger) its up there (PBS, PBS West, PBS Kids, Create, World and FNX)
On satellite (directv and dish) some markets that don't have a PBS licensed to the market may use the national feed. My market (Mankato, MN) technically doesn't have a PBS licensed to the market so on Dish they get the national feed. Directv use to do that too but now gives them KTCA Minneapolis.

 

[KilowattKat]

American Public Television syndicates and distributes a number of shows. But there won't be the big popular series like Antiques Road Show, Nova, Masterpiece, and Nature. Most of their shows aiir on Create! and the World Channel. If Wikipedia is correct, here is a summary of what they offer:

APT distributes more than 300 new program titles per year,[1] including documentaries, talk shows, music performance content, dramatic and comedic series, how-to programs, children's series, and classic films. Shows currently or previously distributed by APT include, but are unlimited to, The Open Mind, Rick Steves' Europe, Live from the Artists Den, Jacques Pepin: Heart & Soul, America's Test Kitchen and its spinoff series Cook's Country, Yan Can Cook, Barbecue University with Steven Raichlen, The Big Comfy Couch, Net Cafe, Pati's Mexican Table, Samantha Brown's Places to Love, Doc Martin, Rudy Maxa's World, Sara's Weeknight Meals, and Scully: The World Show. APT distributes weeknight international news series Asia Insight and NHK Newsline from Japan's NHK, as well as the business news program Nightly Business Report.

 

[ted chittenden]

This article says they will get programming from American Public TV. They produce 5% of their programming locally:

Arkansas PBS rebrands, disaffiliates with national PBS

The broadcaster is dropping all PBS programming, effective June 30, and is re-branding to become Arkansas TV.

www.ualrpublicradio.org

The article also talks about PBS options in Arkansas.

The article states that 70% of the shows that ATV will be airing will be locally produced. We'll have to see if that works out but I'm betting against it. I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that it's more expensive to produce shows locally than it is to purchase them from other sources.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Arkansas PBS to drop PBS, rebrand as Arkansas TV

The Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted 6-2 Thursday to drop PBS programming next summer.

current.org

Arkansas TV mentioned where PBS Viewers can get their content and send money to when Arkansas TV ends their affiliation with PBS. However this puts viewers in a crazy position over having to donate to PBS affiliates out of the state. Also there will have to be PBS affiliates like WETA, WGBH, WNET, KQED having to get a superstation status to cover states that lost their affiliation.

Arkansas PBS signed on in 1966 and became a PBS station in 1970. In its release, the network said PBS content will continue to be accessible in “a number of ways.”

In an FAQ on its website, Arkansas TV directs viewers seeking to continue their PBS Passport member benefits to WKNO-TV in Memphis, Tenn.; Ozarks Public Television in Springfield, Mo.; Mississippi Public Broadcasting; Louisiana Public Broadcasting; and the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority.

Arkansas TV will also drop PBS Kids programming and the Create and World channels. The network will have “award-winning children’s programming that’s been created locally over the last several years, and we’re planning even more for the future,” it says on its website.

 

[KilowattKat]

So how does it work with the existing Arkansas PBS memberships? Are they automatically transferred to the closest existing PBS affiliate? Are they reimbursed for any unused portion that ges past next July? I'm sure the new ATV will make a pitch to the PBS members to come over to their side with their money.

My feeling is the PBS members will not be willing to give up A list programs for 2nd tier programs. And where is ATV coming up with the money for their ambitious locally produced programming?

 

[TheBigA]

So how does it work with the existing Arkansas PBS memberships? Are they automatically transferred to the closest existing PBS affiliate?

No. The memberships are with the station, not PBS. According to the article, the station has factored in that a portion of the memberships will not renew because of losing PBS. But they feel the loss will be less than the cost of membership to PBS. What they're saying publicly is that PBS is asking for too much, given the loss of CPB money. They say they'd like to negotiate for a smaller fee, and carry fewer programs, but they say PBS won't do it.

Marge Betley, CEO of the Arkansas PBS Foundation, says she does expect an initial drop in donations from viewers upset about the programming changes. Some commission members voiced concern about the move to disaffiliate from PBS, fearing a drastic drop in viewer support. Some voiced hope that the move would put pressure on PBS to allow member stations to pick-and-choose individual shows to broadcast, a request Wing said PBS had previously denied.

What they don't say is their governor supports the president's view that PBS is biased and needs to go away.

 

[KilowattKat]

Well, like the PBS schedule, I don't see any obvious left wing programming. They won't have to put up with that pesky, ultra-liberal 'PBS News Hour' (sarcasm), instead, outside of any thing local, the international news will all come from Japan!

 

[KilowattKat]

No. The memberships are with the station, not PBS. According to the article, the station has factored in that a portion of the memberships will not renew because of losing PBS. But they feel the loss will be less than the cost of membership to PBS. What they're saying publicly is that PBS is asking for too much, given the loss of CPB money. They say they'd like to negotiate for a smaller fee, and carry fewer programs, but they say PBS won't do it.



What they don't say is their governor supports the president's view that PBS is biased and needs to go away.

According to this article, the reason for dumping PBS, is strictly financial, and it has to be done in order to continue public television in Arkansas....

Arkansas PBS Ditches Network To Stay Alive | Radio & Television Business Report

For nearly 60 years, Arkansas’s only statewide public television network has worked to inform and inspire viewers through stories that educate and strengthen its communities. From June 30, 2026, that programming will be absent of anything from PBS — a casualty of Congressional CPB defunding.

rbr.com