National news show will be removed from Arkansas public television schedule in July
Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate
Arkansas TV Commission Chairman Gary Newton (left) asks questions of network CEO Carlton Wing (right) at the commission’s June 4 meeting while commissioners Anne Cowie (second from left) and Maria Sullivan (second from right) listen.
This article was first published by the Arkansas Advocate and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Arkansas’ public television network drew frustration this week when it announced it will no longer air a PBS news program starting July 1.
The change is part of Arkansas TV’s effort to increase its local programming from 5% to 30%, and Washington Week With The Atlantic is the only national program being removed from Arkansas’ airwaves, network CEO Carlton Wing said in an email Wednesday.
Additionally, Arkansas TV is introducing a slate of new original programming, expanding its weekly public affairs show from 30 minutes to an hour, and moving the national PBS News Hour program from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weeknights.
“We are excited about the new programs, the balance with the continuing programs and the minimal change from our existing lineup,” Wing said.
The station was known as Arkansas PBS until December, when its governing board voted to cut ties with the national broadcasting network, citing the loss of federal funding for PBS dues.
Friends of Arkansas PBS, a campaign led by two former Arkansas first ladies to keep PBS in the state, released a statement Thursday expressing frustration at the network’s decision to cut Washington Week.
“Members of the Friends of Arkansas PBS organization are concerned that although the leadership of Arkansas TV agreed to preserve PBS programming, they aren’t honoring the spirit and will of the donors who stepped up to fill a funding gap,” the organization stated. “Rearranging and canceling popular programming is just another example of leadership moving the goalposts.”
Arkansans from all 75 counties, with the help of some wealthy individual donors, raised more than $2.1 million for PBS dues. The Arkansas TV Commission agreed earlier this month to use the money for its intended purpose.
Arkansas had been set to become the first state to cut ties with PBS but paused the effort in March following public outcry. Many disillusioned Arkansans told Arkansas TV in December and January that PBS shows are very important to them and their families. Several said they would not donate to a network that doesn’t air PBS shows.
Since becoming CEO of Arkansas TV in September, Wing has said the station should prioritize Arkansas-focused programming that’s produced by the local network. Public affairs show Arkansas Week will expand from 30 minutes to one hour starting July 3, according to a Monday news release from the network.
Arkansas TV is also set to air a slate of new shows in July, focused on topics ranging from Arkansas history and politics to health and nature.
