Will NPR And PBS Go Away? How CPB Shutting Down Affects Them

“Omg ya’ll… we lost NPR Tiny Desk and I am NOT okay.”

That emotional Threads post, which has been shared a few thousands of times as of this writing, captures the panic among fans as rumors started swirling in recent days about the future of NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series. That speculation quickly gained traction after the federal government stripped funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting last month — the CPB being the entity that funnels federal money to NPR and PBS stations nationwide.

Worry from social media users notwithstanding, the beloved Tiny Desk series isn’t actually shutting down. Still, the confusion about its fate underscores the many questions swirling around public broadcasting right now. In fact, the defunding has proven so devastating that it’s actually forcing the CPB to close down completely over the next several months, with the announcement of that closure having set off alarm bells about everything from the futures of NPR and PBS to the estimated 1,500 public stations that have relied on CPB support.

What is CPB and why is it closing?

Congress set up the CPB decades ago as a mechanism by which to pass federal funds to local TV and radio stations. Its purpose wasn’t to run NPR or PBS directly, but to distribute grants to local stations and support content development — with more than 70% of the CPB’s budget going straight to those local stations around the country.

President Trump signed the legislation passed by Congress in July that defunds the CPB, axing a little more than $1 billion in funding that had previously been earmarked for public broadcasting. In a news release, CPB President Patricia Harrison said that despite “the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding,” the nonprofit must now shut down as a result. Most of its staff will leave by the end of September, with a small transition team staying on to manage the wind-down.

Public broadcasting audiences, meanwhile, still have plenty of questions — starting with wanting to know if any other shutdowns or cancellations are imminent. Katherine Maher, president and CEO of NPR, said in a statement, “The ripple effects of this closure will be felt across every public media organization and, more importantly, in every community across the country that relies on public broadcasting.”

Is NPR shutting down?

So having said all that – given that the primary funding vehicle for NPR is shutting down – it might be natural to assume that NPR’s end is likewise imminent. However, the national news network will still continue to operate, with Maher recently telling Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter that NPR will shrink its operating budget by $8 million.

In other words, flagship NPR shows like All Things Considered and Morning Edition will still be broadcasting this time next year. That’s the current plan, at any rate. NPR’s urgent challenge, though, is figuring out how to support its member stations, particularly the smaller ones for which the CPB closure (and the attendant loss of those federal funds) will hit the hardest. NPR has pledged to help its network, but that might not be enough to keep some from trimming staff or cutting back on programming.

In terms of actual impact: Reports have begun to appear that some stations in Alaska are facing a loss of more than 20% of their funding, while Maine’s public media system is looking at a $2.5 million shortfall. And Mississippi Public Broadcasting has decided to eliminate a children’s programming streaming channel.

Was NPR’s Tiny Desk canceled?

The funding uncertainty has caused some fans to particularly worry over the fate of beloved shows like NPR’s Tiny Desk series. However, Tiny Desk producer Bobby Carter has already taken to Instagram to reassure audiences that the series — which has seen performances by artists like Adele, T-Pain, and Korea’s BTS — will continue. He also encouraged fans to donate whatever they can to public media amid its moment of crisis.

Tiny Desk has even expanded recently, launching Tiny Desk Radio, a weekly spin-off show. So, while rumors of its demise aren’t true, the show’s survival does underscore a bigger question: As federal dollars disappear, how many other programs (especially those without Tiny Desk’s global fanbase) will be able to weather the storm?

Is PBS going away?

Like NPR, PBS itself isn’t going away anytime soon either. The network has a variety of funding streams, including corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and member station fees. That also means viewers shouldn’t expect to see key shows such as PBS NewsHour and Finding Your Roots disappear anytime soon.

Here’s the important caveat, though: The loss of CPB money is a major blow to local PBS affiliates. These stations not only are a source of local journalism but also cultural and educational content. Without federal backing, it’s unfortunately likely that some may scale back their programming or even shut down altogether. That’s where viewers could see the most visible impact — especially in small communities where PBS provides the only local TV coverage of things like the arts and public affairs.

What happens next to NPR and PBS?

The CPB’s announcement notes that its remaining funds will be sent out through the end of the fiscal year, and a small team will handle any outstanding obligations. NPR has filed a lawsuit challenging the funding cuts, but it seems pretty certain that the CPB’s closure is a done deal.

NPR and PBS will keep producing national programming, while audiences should expect to see a ramp-up in fundraising drives and appeals to viewers and listeners. As CPB’s Harrison put it, public media has long been “one of the most trusted institutions in American life.” The question is whether that trust will translate into enough financial backing from viewers and listeners to survive without federal help.