CONWAY, Ark. —In a notable example of how the loss of federal funding is forcing public stations to make massive cuts and operational changes, the statewide public television network in Arkansas has eliminated its affiliation with PBS. It will change its name from Arkansas PBS to Arkansas TV.
The network said the cancellation of federal funding created an unexpected loss of $2.5 million in annual money from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. After a financial review of operations, the network reported that the “annual PBS membership dues of nearly $2.5 million were simply not feasible for the network or our foundation.”
In the interest of creating a sustainable model for public television in Arkansas, the Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted Dec. 11 to disaffiliate from PBS effective July 1, 2026.
Arkansas TV is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Lee Mountain), KETS (Forrest City), KETS (Yancy) and KETS (Gaither).
“Arkansas TV is our promise that visual storytelling—centered on the people, places and experiences of our state—remains at the core of everything we do,” executive director and CEO Carlton Wing said in a statement. “As we embrace our new identity as Arkansas TV, we are also making strategic decisions to ensure a sustainable model for public television in Arkansas and our ability to serve Arkansans for generations to come.”
Added Wing: “Public television in Arkansas is not going away. 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 profoundly grateful for the overwhelming support that donors, viewers and community partners have shown since this funding loss. 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.”
The elimination of network affiliate fees to PBS is, however, unlikely to address the Arkansas TV’s financial woes on its own, an analysis of the service's finances by Semipublic found. During the Arkansas Educational Television Commission’s meeting, the network’s chief financial officer noted that its deficit would grow to $6 million by fiscal year 2030. A Semipublic examination of its finances indicated that count might be an underestimate, with the network’s actual deficit growing to as much as $7 million.
Shifting its strategy to a reliance on local programming can also be expensive and might have an unknown impact on fundraising efforts in the state.
In announcing the changes, the network stressed its mission “has remained steadfast: to educate, inform and inspire” and that it plans to provide more Arkansas-focused programming in the future.
As part of that effort, several new productions are currently in development. The 2026 lineup will feature two children's series, two food-related series, two history series and several others that are in the initial phases of development and fundraising.
“Through June 30, 2026, viewers can expect little to no change to the broadcast programming lineup,” the network reported. “Beginning July 1, 2026, the network is excited to deliver several new local shows, as well as favorites from the last 60 years. After July 1, 2026, there will remain a number of ways that PBS content can continue to be accessed. For more information, visit myarpbs.org/ArkansasTV.”
