re: I made a list of everything i'm going to miss without PBS and NPR

quote:

---

You can already just not watch/listen. It's not forced on you.

---

quote:

---

I'm confused about the relationship between the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NPR and PBS. I know that CPB gives money to the other two but without CPB will NPR and PBS go away as well? What percentage of their funding comes through CPB?

---

quote:

---

I'm confused about the relationship between the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NPR and PBS. I know that CPB gives money to the other two but without CPB will NPR and PBS go away as well? What percentage of their funding comes through CPB?

---

quote:

---

Great question — the relationship between the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), NPR, and PBS can definitely be confusing, but here’s a clear breakdown:

?? The Relationship:

CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) is a nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967. It acts as a federal funding pass-through and oversight body for public broadcasting in the U.S.

PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is a TV programming distributor to member stations (like your local PBS station).

NPR (National Public Radio) is a radio content producer and syndicator that distributes programs to public radio stations.

CPB provides funding to local stations, not directly to NPR or PBS for operations. Those local stations then use that money to help pay for programming from NPR and PBS.

?? Funding Overview:

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB):

CPB receives about $465 million annually from the federal government.

It distributes:

~70% to local TV and radio stations

~16% to system-wide support and innovation

~10% for administrative and other purposes

PBS:

PBS itself gets only a small amount of direct CPB funding, typically less than 10% of its total revenue.

Member stations, however, receive significant CPB funds, and those stations pay dues to PBS.

So, indirectly, CPB helps keep PBS alive through its support of the local stations that form PBS.

NPR:

NPR receives less than 1% of its operating budget directly from CPB.

However, local public radio stations receive CPB grants and those stations buy programming from NPR (or pay membership dues), so there's an indirect stream of support.

Overall, ~2% of NPR’s revenue is linked to CPB funding via stations.

?? Would NPR and PBS Go Away Without CPB?

Not immediately, but they would be significantly weakened:

Local stations—especially in rural and underserved areas—rely heavily on CPB funding. Many would likely shut down or drastically cut services.

PBS and NPR depend on these stations as both customers and distribution networks.

A loss of CPB could lead to:

Fewer local stations (especially in rural communities)

Less diverse and regional programming

Shrinking audiences and influence

Increased reliance on private donations or commercial underwriting

TL;DR:

CPB funds local stations, not NPR or PBS directly.

PBS and NPR depend on local stations, so CPB’s support is crucial, especially in smaller markets.

NPR gets ~1–2% of its budget via CPB indirectly.

PBS is more dependent via local stations, though not entirely reliant.

Without CPB, they wouldn’t disappear, but their reach, especially in rural America, would shrink.

---

quote:

---

I’ve never listened to a podcast. I see clips on YouTube and don’t really understand the fascination. Theo Vonn and Joe Rogan…I’ll just zone out to the the NPR drive

---

quote:

---

The sad thing about ending the government funding is that so many people will no longer be able to bitch and moan about how their taxes are funding the programs. That's gonna be a big blow for a lot of people who like to bitch and moan.

---

quote:

---

you don't know who you're talking too here.

---

quote:

---

NPR

---