In letter to commission, PBS expresses hope that Arkansas TV will reverse decision on cutting PBS programming

PBS sent a letter to the Arkansas Educational Television Commission Wednesday expressing surprise about the commission’s plan to drop PBS programming and are encouraging it to reconsider the decision.

The letter, written by PBS SVP of Station Services Susi Elkins and shared with Current, was addressed to AETC Chair Woody Freeman. “This news came as a shock to us,” Elkins wrote. “PBS did not receive any indication from Arkansas TV that this was under consideration.”

Elkins said PBS had reached out to Carlton Wing, who became CEO of Arkansas TV in September, to welcome him as a new PBS station leader and to answer any questions he might have had but was unable to connect with him.

The commission’s members, who are appointed by Arkansas’ governor, voted 6-2 Dec. 11 to rebrand Arkansas PBS to Arkansas TV and end its PBS membership. Its current PBS contract ends June 30, 2026. The decision followed the organization’s loss of approximately $2.5 million to its annual budget due to the rescission of federal funding by Congress. In a news release, Arkansas TV said continuing to pay annual PBS membership dues of nearly $2.5 million was “simply not feasible for the network or our Foundation.”

Elkins said in her letter that had PBS been notified of the Dec. 11 hearing, “we could have clarified any questions from the Commission about PBS policies, dues, and benefits. Of particular concern is the speed with which the decision was made, and how little information was shared with the Commission about the financial and community service impacts that will result.”

The change is “a blow to Arkansans who will lose free, over-the-air access to PBS programming,” Elkins said. “A YouGov survey from June of this year showed that more than 70 percent of Arkansans believe PBS brings excellent value to their communities, and 78 percent view PBS KIDS as the most trusted educational children’s media. Clearly, this decision goes against the will of Arkansas viewers.”

The decision has drawn negative comments on social media from Arkansas TV viewers, with some saying they will shift their donations to other stations. A spokesperson for Arkansas TV did not respond to Current’s request for comment about the letter.

“We respectfully urge you to consider how the costs of operating without PBS could well exceed current costs, especially given the loss of the fundraising power provided by PBS programming,” Elkins wrote. “In the most recent pledge cycle, a significant percentage of funds raised were from PBS-provided programming.”

Elkins said that commissioners shared misinformation during the Dec. 11 meeting. “It was implied that if a member station does not give notice of its intent to resign from membership by January 1, 2026, it would be obligated to remain a PBS member and pay all of the dues for FY 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). This is simply not true,” she wrote. “PBS does ask for 180 days’ notice when a member decides to resign from membership to ensure an orderly transition, but there is no particular significance to a January 1 notice date. The 180-day notice period operates on a rolling basis.

“In this instance, we think it is important that you take the time you need to engage the station’s viewers and supporters and give them a voice in the decision-making process. As stated during the meeting, the station has raised over $500,000 since the rescission, largely in support of the station’s ability to continue to deliver PBS programming. Donor intent in support of Arkansas TV should not be taken lightly. Once the trust of your donors is lost, it is very difficult to repair.”

Elkins wrote that PBS was “heartened” to hear that the commission “may be willing to revisit this decision and would welcome an opportunity to discuss a path forward with PBS. PBS would also welcome such an opportunity.” She added that she had spoken with Wing and that he had also “indicated that the door is open to discussion.”

“That is wonderful news,” Elkins said. “PBS President and CEO, Paula Kerger and I would be glad to meet with the Commission at your convenience.”

Arkansas PBS signed on in 1966 and became a PBS station in 1970. The network has said it plans to unveil two children’s series, two food-related series and two history series in 2026. It intends to produce 70% of its programs locally, with the remaining portion coming from American Public Television and the National Educational Telecommunications Association.

Wing is a former Republican state representative and co-founder of the Wing Media Group, which produces lifestyle content about outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting.