The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has voted to dissolve, bringing to an end the federally chartered nonprofit’s role as steward of government funding for US public media.
CPB said its board took the decision following the rescission of federal funds for FY 2026 and FY 2027, arguing that maintaining a defunded “shell” organisation would leave it exposed to political manipulation and legal risk.
Created by Congress under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, CPB has supported a nationwide system of more than 1,500 locally owned and operated public radio and television stations, including PBS and NPR member stations.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to slash taxpayer funds to PBS and NPR, two media outlets the White House accused of being biased.
Last May’s executive order by US President Donald Trump instructed the CPB and other federal agencies “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS.” It also required they work to root out indirect sources of public financing for the news organisations. NPR is a non-commercial radio network, and PBS is a non-commecial TV network.
As part of its wind-down, CPB said it will distribute remaining funds in line with Congress’s intent and continue support for the American Archive of Public Broadcasting’s digitisation and preservation work. CPB’s own archives will be preserved in partnership with the University of Maryland and made accessible to the public.
CPB has been in a wind-down phase since it signalled it would cease operations, after the funding rescission was confirmed in 2025.
