PBS lays off 34 employees in response to federal funding loss
PBS informed station leaders Thursday that it laid off 34 staffers due to the loss of federal funding for public media.
The New York Times first reported on the email to stations from PBS President Paula Kerger. PBS declined to share the memo with Current but issued a statement through a spokesperson.
“Due to the loss of federal funding PBS eliminated close to 100 positions over the last several months, including 34 valued PBS staff members notified yesterday their employment is ending,” the organization said. “In this unprecedented moment we remain focused on what matters most: ensuring our member stations can deliver quality content and services to communities across America.”
In her memo, Kerger wrote that PBS has frozen hiring, halted pay raises and restricted its travel budget. “These decisions, while difficult, position PBS to weather the current challenges facing public media,” Kerger said in her email, noting that the workforce reductions started this summer.
Last month, PBS told station leaders that it reduced its budget by 21% and cut dues paid by stations in fiscal year 2026 by $35 million. That decision followed July’s vote in Congress to rescind FY26 and FY27 federal funding to CPB. CPB will begin winding down operations Sept. 30.
You know what would save PBS from having to cut staff in the short term? Maybe those $300K+ making SVPs and million dollar salary Paula should cut themselves, as they are a large reason PBS has nothing it stands for. Focused so much on their own “legacy” to care about what PBS really means to those in this country who don’t have access. Salaries aside, their bonuses are generous. Oh and hey, maybe to save jobs and what’s left of PBS, headquarters should rethink that 8% automatic 403 b contribution. Padding their pockets for sure.
Well said! In any organization, it’s always the people at the bottom – the most vulnerable -who end up shouldering most of the burden when cost cutting measures are taken. The six figure folks on the top tier would never consider taking even a small pay cut to save someone’s job.