Public broadcasting faces significant job losses totaling 15% as a result of substantial cuts in funding from Congress.

In a significant turn of events, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has announced that it will shut down operations by September 30, 2023, due to a $1.1 billion loss in federal funding following a vote by Congress in July. This decision has led to a reduction in funding for public broadcasting, including PBS and NPR.

In an email to station managers, Paula Kerger, the chief executive of PBS, confirmed the staff reductions. Approximately 100 positions will be cut at PBS, including 34 immediate layoffs, representing a 15% reduction of its staff.

The shutdown affects the entire operation of CPB, not just its funding for PBS and NPR. CPB helps support the operations of over 1,500 locally managed and operated public television and radio stations nationwide.

To ensure an orderly closeout of operations, a small transition team will remain until January 2026. This team's focus will be on compliance, final distributions, and resolving long-term financial obligations.

Despite the shutdown, the release mentions the importance of continuity for music rights and royalties in the public media system. Ensuring continuity for music rights and royalties is essential to the public media system, according to the release. The shutdown will not affect the continuity of music rights and royalties in the public media system.

Paula Kerger was hired as CEO of PBS by its board of directors, succeeding the previous CEO. PBS had already taken measures to save money, such as freezing hiring, restricting travel, and pausing pay increases, before resorting to staff cuts.

The email from Paula Kerger was reviewed by The New York Times. The transition period will include tasks such as ensuring compliance, final distributions, and resolving long-term financial obligations.

CPB was established in 1967 by Congress via the Public Broadcasting Act. This news marks a significant change in the landscape of public broadcasting in the United States.