Protect & Sustain WVPB

How federal funding for public media works — and why it’s essential

The White House has announced plans to rescind funds for public broadcasting. What is the impact on West Virginia Public Broadcasting?

The White House called on Congress to rescind $1.1 billion in funding from the public broadcasters. Once this request is formally submitted, Congress will have 45 days to adopt or reject the request.

Here’s what we know about the plan:

  • It’s called a “rescission” package, a rarely used method to cut federal spending.
  • The specific programs targeted for rescissions have not yet been formally announced, but it’s likely the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) – funded two years in advance – and other key public media programs that support stations will be included.
  • The White House could send this plan to Congress as early as Monday, April 28, when lawmakers return from recess.
  • This would start a 45-day countdown for Congress to review and vote on the proposal.
  • During this time, the administration can temporarily withhold any funding included in the plan.
  • The funds in question are for FY26 and FY27, unrelated to any future funding beyond what was already appropriated in the recent continuing resolution.
  • If Congress doesn’t approve the plan – or can’t get enough votes to pass it – the funding must be released.
  • The Senate can pass it with a simple majority of just 50 votes, and Congress has the option to change what’s included.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is one of 1,500 locally and independently managed stations that are funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through an annual Community Service Grant. And we rely on pooled resources from CPB including satellite interconnection, emergency alert systems, the ability to collectively license music and to develop educational programs.

If federal funding for public broadcasting were to be rescinded, the whole network would be impacted in ways that would also impact West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

What are the key things I should know about federal funding for public broadcasting?

  • Public media reaches 99% of the U.S. population and serves millions of Americans every day.
  • The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is an independent nonprofit that distributes federal dollars (an average of $1.60 per American annually) to local stations. That money is used to invest in programming and services according to each community’s needs.
  • About 19% of West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s annual funding comes from the CPB.
  • CPB funding allows public media stations to pool resources towards satellite interconnection, emergency alert systems, music licensing and development of educational programs, all of which would be too expensive for stations to do on their own.
  • Cuts to federal funding would negatively impact the ability for rural stations, like ours, to serve the people who need it most. Learn more at Protect My Public Media.

WVPB is an NPR and PBS member station, part of a nationwide public media network that serves millions of Americans. This network reaches nearly 99% of the population with free and accessible programs, regardless of population density, income or geographic challenges.

Public media stations are partially funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Each station is locally managed and makes programming and service decisions to address unique community needs and interests. At West Virginia Public Broadcasting, these programs and services include the national shows you enjoy, like Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well local favorites such as Mountain Stage, West Virginia Morning, Inside Appalachia and Classical Music hosted by Matt Jackfert, along with award-winning podcasts like Us and Them.

Public media’s service also includes things like lifesaving emergency alerts through its management and operation of the Public Radio Satellite System.

The need for and value of federal funding for public media has become a common topic, so we’ve put together these frequently asked questions about how public media funding works, and what impact the absence of that funding may have on public radio and television here and across the country. If you have other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at memberservices@wvpublic.org.

What is the CPB’s role in public broadcasting?

The CPB is distinct from both NPR and PBS. It is not a broadcaster, but an independent, nonprofit organization created by Congress in 1967 with two primary functions: to serve as a firewall between partisan politics and public broadcasting, and to help fund programming, stations and technology.

Funding for CPB is established through the federal budget annual appropriations process two years in advance with the intention of insulating funding from political pressures. Its total appropriation is currently over $500 million. The CPB is responsible for allocating their funds from the federal budget in any way that fulfills their mission: to ensure universal access, over-the-air and online, to high-quality content and telecommunications services that are commercial free and free of charge. 

NPR and PBS don’t receive direct support from the CPB; the funding goes directly to local stations so they can decide how best to program for their communities.

How much CPB funding does West Virginia Public Broadcasting receive?

Approximately 19% of WVPB’s budgeted revenue comes from the CPB, about $1.9 million. That amount is calculated using a complex formula that takes into account our region’s population and how much funding we are able to raise locally from donations by individuals and support from small businesses and organizations.

Why does WVPB (or any station) need federal funding?

Even though member and local business support makes up the bulk of WVPB’s funding, federal funding — which costs an average of $1.60 per American per year — makes public media as you currently know it possible.

CPB’s investment directly supports local stations across the country and enables them to provide essential programs and services. If federal funding is eliminated, public media stations could be forced to cut some or all of the following:

  • Signature educational content as set forth in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967
  • Important public safety communications during natural disasters
  • Professional development and resources for teachers
  • Music and cultural programming
  • Local newsrooms and personnel providing information essential to the well-being of local communities

Some stations, particularly those in rural areas securing a larger percentage of their revenue from the CPB, could even be forced off the air. In many rural communities, public media stations are the only local sources of news.

Stable funding from the CPB and other sources have made it possible for WVPB to establish a strong state-wide system. It also makes it possible to maintain radio and television transmitters to serve a mountainous state with essential services that provide the public with local, national and world news as well as daily weather forecasts, alerts and warnings.

What would happen if WVPB lost CPB funding?

While West Virginia Public Broadcasting would immediately seek to raise the $1.9 million in lost CPB funds from donors and business sponsors, the loss of federal funding would very likely result in immediate and significant impacts on our ability to provide essential services, including production of local news and music programming, our ability to purchase national programming, and maintain broadcast infrastructure.

In addition, stations across the country rely on pooled resources from CPB including satellite interconnection, emergency alert systems, the ability to license music, and to develop educational programs. The whole network would be impacted in ways that would also impact West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

What is WVPB doing to prepare for this possibility?

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is preparing for this possibility on many fronts. We are in conversations with other public media organizations and a national organization called Protect My Public Media to coordinate efforts and advocacy. We are developing a contingency plan for the potential loss of funding. And we’re keeping our members and audience informed about what’s going on and how you can help.

Why is public broadcasting needed when we can get news and content from so many sources?

Local public media stations provide critical information — always free of charge — to help citizens make informed decisions.

With the number of local journalists declining nationwide and increased division and isolation in our country, independent and nonprofit public media organizations like WVPB continue to provide a high level of service to communities. Public media abides by rigorous ethical standards to ensure our content cannot be influenced by commercial interests. In a time where anyone can post their opinion to social media, journalism grounded in rigorous fact-checking is essential to inform decisions that affect our health and safety, our finances, our democracy and our future.

Finally, WVPB makes learning accessible to all through PBS KIDS’ trusted, non-commercial, educational shows and activities. Our local team curates monthly recommendations and invites West Virginia’s children, teachers and families to engage interactively with safe media content in living rooms, classrooms and on the go.

How can I take action to advocate for continued support of public media?

Make your voice heard by visiting ProtectMyPublicMedia.org for resources to help you contact members of Congress and sign a petition. You can also tell your friends why public media is important to you.

Local community support is our largest and most stable source of funding, and no matter how this shakes out, continuing our public service will require your ongoing support. If you’re already a contributing member, thank you! If you’re not, or if you can give more generously, now is an excellent time to join or increase your support.

What happens now?

On March 14, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through September 30, 2025. The funding bill does include level funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through FY27.

Even as we celebrate this win, there will be continued efforts to shut down the CPB or take back these funds. But for now, this stability gives us time to better shape our contingency plans, recognizing that the threat will continue.

A free press is vital to a functional democracy, and public media plays a key role in sustaining the civic fabric of our country. We exist to serve the public, not make a profit. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.

I want to Protect WVPB!