BREAKING NEWS: ARKANSAS PBS WILL SOON DROP ITS PBS AFFILIATION, AND REBRAND AS ARKANSAS TV AFTER LOSING MILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDING.
Arkansas’s statewide public television network, Arkansas PBS (or AETN) will change its name to Arkansas TV effective July 1, 2026, because the statewide network will not renew its contract with PBS. The network announced on December 11, 2025 that the Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted to disaffiliate from PBS after a review of the network’s operations and finances. In a news release, 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 the decision.
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 through other platforms, according to the network.
Viewers will see the network gradually rebranded as “Arkansas TV” across TV, online and social media over the coming months. A PBS spokesperson told NBC and FOX affiliates KNWA and KFTA that the soon-to-be 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:
- 80% of Arkansans said PBS funding is too little or about right.
- 62% opposed eliminating federal funding for PBS.
- 80% agreed PBS helps prepare children for success in school. - 77% said it is a trusted and safe source for children’s media. - 72% said their local PBS station provides excellent value to the community. - 70% said access to educational media free from commercial influence is important.
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, including the Emergency Alert System (89%).
EAS CEC
BREAKING NEWS: ARKANSAS PBS WILL SOON DROP ITS PBS AFFILIATION, AND REBRAND AS ARKANSAS TV AFTER LOSING MILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDING.
Arkansas’s statewide public television network, Arkansas PBS (or AETN) will change its name to Arkansas TV effective July 1, 2026, because the statewide network will not renew its contract with PBS. The network announced on December 11, 2025 that the Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted to disaffiliate from PBS after a review of the network’s operations and finances. In a news release, 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 the decision.
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 through other platforms, according to the network. Viewers will see the network gradually rebranded as “Arkansas TV” across TV, online and social media over the coming months. A PBS spokesperson told NBC and FOX affiliates KNWA and KFTA that the soon-to-be 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:
- 80% of Arkansans said PBS funding is too little or about right.
- 62% opposed eliminating federal funding for PBS.
- 80% agreed PBS helps prepare children for success in school.
- 77% said it is a trusted and safe source for children’s media.
- 72% said their local PBS station provides excellent value to the community.
- 70% said access to educational media free from commercial influence is important.
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, including the Emergency Alert System (89%).
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