You may have heard the headlines: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is shutting down.
It’s true. And it’s serious. But let’s get one thing straight right away:
- PBS is not going away.
- New Hampshire PBS is not going away.
What is CPB, anyway? And how is it different from PBS?
That’s a question we get a lot.
- CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) was created by Congress in 1967 to distribute federal funding to nearly 1,500 local public media stations—radio and TV alike.
- CPB doesn’t produce shows or run stations.
- It supports the system.
- CPB doesn’t produce shows or run stations.
- PBS is a nonprofit program distributor. It’s why you can watch national favorites like PBS News Hour, NOVA, Antiques Roadshow, and trusted PBS Kids shows.
- New Hampshire PBS is one of those local stations.
- Independently owned and operated.
- We pay dues to PBS so we can bring you the programs you love.
- We also produce original local programs that reflect our communities, like Windows to the Wild, Granite State Challenge, Our Hometown, The State We’re In, and our newest series Seniority Authority (debuting in September).
- Independently owned and operated.
For decades, federal funding has flowed through CPB to stations like ours, helping keep public media accessible to everyone—especially in rural and underserved areas.
What’s happening now?
CPB is set to shut down operations on September 30, 2025 following:
- Passage of a federal rescissions package.
- Release of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY 2026 Labor-H bill, which excludes CPB funding for the first time in more than five decades.
Translation: No more federal funding for stations like NHPBS.
What does that mean for us?
We’re still here. We’re still serving you and your neighbors across the Granite State. But the impact of this change is significant.
Losing CPB funding means a $1.3 million gap in our annual budget—about 18% of our total operating funds. And this isn’t just a one-time hit. It’s ongoing.
And let’s not forget: in 2011, we lost all state funding—a $2.7 million hit we’ve been navigating ever since. So, this new loss comes on top of more than a decade of doing more with less.
What happens next?
We adapt. We push forward. And most importantly—we lean into what has kept us going through every challenge: you.
Our future depends on:
- Support from individuals, businesses, and partners who believe in public media.
We’re committed to protecting the programs, services, and stories that matter to you. But without public funding, we face tough decisions about what we can continue.
What can you do?
There are many ways to support the programs you love—but monthly giving as a Sustainer is the most powerful.
Monthly Sustainer Giving
Make the switch to monthly giving and provide steady, reliable support NHPBS can count on. Sustainers give us the ability to plan ahead and preserve what matters most.
We may be defunded, but we’re not defeated.
Every gift matters. Thank you for standing with NHPBS.
If you have questions about this change or its impact on NHPBS, please email NHPBSPresident@nhpbs.org.