CONWAY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansas’ statewide public television network will end its affiliation with PBS starting in July 2026, the Arkansas Educational Television Commission announced this week.
The station, formerly known as Arkansas PBS, will also rebrand as Arkansas TV.
The commission cited a $2.5 million reduction in annual federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the cost of PBS membership dues as factors in its decision.
A news release announcing the decision called the membership dues “simply not feasible.”
Programming is expected to remain largely unchanged through June 30, 2026. After that date, the network plans to introduce locally produced programming, including children’s, food and history series currently in development, as well as “favorites from the last 60 years.”
“Public television in Arkansas is not going away,” Executive Director and CEO Carlton Wing said in the release. “In fact, we invite you to join our vision for an increased focus on local programming, continuing to safeguard Arkansans in times of emergency and supporting our K-12 educators and students. … We are confident that we can secure ongoing and increased support from individual donors, foundation partners and corporate sponsors who see the value in investing in new local programming that serves our state.”
PBS content will continue to be accessible to Arkansas residents through other platforms, Arkansas TV said.
In response to the announcement, a PBS spokesperson told Nexstar’s KNWA that Arkansas TV’s decision to end membership “is a blow to Arkansans who will lose free, over-the-air access to quality PBS programming they know and love.”
The spokesperson cited a June 2025 YouGov survey, which PBS said showed strong support for the network in the state. According to PBS, the survey found a majority of survey participants opposed limiting funding for PBS and agreed that PBS programming was beneficial for children and the community.
The survey also found the most valued PBS content included children’s educational programming (86%), national news and public affairs (85%), science, history and nature content (88%), local/regional content (84%) and weather and emergency alerts (89%).
PBS confirmed in an email to the Associated Press that Arkansas is the first state to definitively sever ties with the broadcaster. Alabama considered similar action last month, but opted to continue paying its contract with PBS after public backlash from viewers and donors.
The demise of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a direct result of President Donald Trump’s targeting of public media, which he has repeatedly said is spreading political and cultural views antithetical to those the United States should be espousing. The closure is expected to have a profound impact on the journalistic and cultural landscape — in particular, public radio and TV stations in small communities nationwide.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting helps fund both PBS and NPR, but most of its funding is distributed to more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations around the country.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.