US broadcaster PBS to slash budget by 21% after federal funding cuts

ISTANBUL

The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the US is cutting its budget by 21%, following federal funding cuts, CBS News reported Friday.

The cut was approved Wednesday by PBS’ board, which also voted to reduce dues paid by local stations by $35 million.

As a result, PBS is expected to receive less revenue from member stations, many of which are facing budget shortfalls of their own.

The move follows legislation passed by Congress last month that slashed around $1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a nonprofit that supports public media outlets, including NPR and PBS.

PBS has been more heavily affected by the federal funding cuts than NPR, as it has historically depended more on support from the CPB. It also lost $23 million in funding from the Education Department, previously allocated for children’s programming.

The potential effect of the budget cuts on PBS’ daily operations remains unclear, but staff layoffs are expected.

Earlier this month, CPB announced that it will cease operations after its funding was eliminated, with most positions ending at the close of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30.