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After backlash, Alabama Public Television will keep paying for PBS
U.S. News
After backlash, Alabama Public Television will keep paying for PBS
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An audience member holds a sign at a meeting of the Alabama Educational Television Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler)
By KIM CHANDLER
Updated 10:26 PM EST, November 18, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Facing a public backlash, the commission that oversees Alabama Public Television voted Tuesday to continue paying its contract with PBS, rejecting an effort — at least for now — to be the first state to cut ties with the broadcast giant because of politics and federal budget cuts.
The Alabama Educational Television Commission voted without dissent to honor the contract with PBS that runs until July. The commission also voted to create a committee to explore the direction of Alabama Public Television. A motion to give the required 180-day nonrenewal notice, the first step to cutting ties with PBS, failed for lack of a second.
The decision means PBS programming, which includes programs such as “Sesame Street,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Antiques Roadshow” and “PBS NewsHour” will remain on the state channel at least for the immediate future.
Two commission members last month had floated the idea of severing ties with PBS, citing federal budget cuts to public broadcasting and accusations by President Donald Trump and other conservatives of bias in news programs. The possibility of dropping PBS prompted a backlash from Alabama public television viewers and donors.
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After backlash, Alabama Public Television will keep paying for PBS
{picture}
An audience member holds a sign at a meeting of the Alabama Educational Television Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler)
By KIM CHANDLER
Updated 10:26 PM EST, November 18, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Facing a public backlash, the commission that oversees Alabama Public Television voted Tuesday to continue paying its contract with PBS, rejecting an effort — at least for now — to be the first state to cut ties with the broadcast giant because of politics and federal budget cuts.
The Alabama Educational Television Commission voted without dissent to honor the contract with PBS that runs until July. The commission also voted to create a committee to explore the direction of Alabama Public Television. A motion to give the required 180-day nonrenewal notice, the first step to cutting ties with PBS, failed for lack of a second.
The decision means PBS programming, which includes programs such as “Sesame Street,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Antiques Roadshow” and “PBS NewsHour” will remain on the state channel at least for the immediate future.
Two commission members last month had floated the idea of severing ties with PBS, citing federal budget cuts to public broadcasting and accusations by President Donald Trump and other conservatives of bias in news programs. The possibility of dropping PBS prompted a backlash from Alabama public television viewers and donors.
{snip}