Corporation for Public Broadcasting Announces Shutdown, NPR and PBS Next? [WATCH]

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which provides federal funding to public media outlets such as NPR and PBS, announced on Friday that it will begin shutting down operations following the elimination of nearly $1.1 billion in federal funding.

BREAKING: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced that it is shutting down after being defunded. pic.twitter.com/h9wUdiqFvj

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 1, 2025

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

The decision is expected to significantly impact approximately 1,500 local public radio and television stations across the country.

The announcement follows a series of actions by President Donald Trump and Congress aimed at ending taxpayer support for the organization.

In May, President Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to halt all funding to NPR and PBS.

The following month, the House of Representatives approved a White House request to withdraw the $1.1 billion that had previously been appropriated for the CPB.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

In addition, the Senate Appropriations Committee’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 included no funding for the CPB, marking the first time in more than 50 years that the organization has faced a complete cut in federal support.

Founded in 1967, the CPB is a private, nonprofit corporation that manages and distributes federal funds to public media outlets, including NPR and PBS.

It employs approximately 100 people and supports content and operations at local stations that rely heavily on its funding to remain in operation.

“Despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, we now face the difficult reality of closing our operations,” CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison said in a statement released Friday.

“CPB remains committed to fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities and supporting our partners through this transition with transparency and care.”

CPB stated that most staff positions will end with the conclusion of the current fiscal year on September 30, 2025.

While the organization did not disclose the exact number of positions affected, it confirmed that a small transition team will remain in place until January 2026 to oversee the shutdown process and assist local stations during the transition.

In addition to the funding cuts, President Trump removed three members from the CPB’s five-member board earlier this year.

The organization has since filed a lawsuit, arguing that the removals exceeded the president’s legal authority.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has long served as the primary federal funding source for public broadcasting in the United States.

Its budget historically supported programming development, station infrastructure, and community outreach initiatives, especially in rural and underserved regions.

🚨 JUST NOW – IT’S OFFICIAL: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is closing its doors.

It’s done.

President Trump took away their federal funding.

“We now face the difficult reality of closing our operations.”

NPR and PBS next! pic.twitter.com/kyRdOBEE0J

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 1, 2025

With its closure, local NPR and PBS affiliates may be forced to scale back operations, seek alternative funding sources, or close entirely.

While some larger stations may be able to adapt through private fundraising or state-level support, many smaller outlets are expected to face serious financial challenges as federal assistance is withdrawn.

The CPB’s shutdown marks the end of a public media funding model that has operated for over five decades.

The organization’s closure follows a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate federal funding for institutions it views as promoting politically biased or unbalanced content.

As of Friday, no alternative federal agency has been designated to manage public media funding, and no new funding mechanisms have been proposed to replace CPB’s role.

The outcome leaves the future of publicly funded broadcasting in question heading into 2026.