Montgomery, Alaa.. Every day, PBS programming fills the airwaves of Alabama Public Television with programs like “Sesame Street,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Antiques Roadshow” and “PBS Newshour.” Alabamians could lose access to those programs on state airwaves if the Alabama Educational Television Commission chooses to become the first state network to sever its ties with PBS.
The Alabama commission last month discussed the possibility of dropping the TV show and is expected to discuss the matter again at its meeting scheduled for Nov. 18.
This possibility comes after President Donald Trump and Congress in July Withdrawal of financing For the nonprofit The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides grants for public radio and television, and as some state commissioners have accused PBS of being an unnecessary or politically biased expenditure.
“We have to know what our options are,” said Ferris W. Stevens, the committee’s chairman. “Before we decide these things, I think we need a lot of information.” Stevens said he does not expect a vote at the November meeting.
Alabama Public Television Executive Director Wayne Reed said some commissioners asked him to research the possibility and ramifications of terminating the contract with PBS. Terminating the affiliation will result in APT losing access to popular programming such as “Sesame Street” and “PBS NewsHour,” as well as its ability to distribute content on streaming platforms. The state network will have to purchase other programs to replace it, Reid said.
“If we cut ties, all of that will go away,” Reed said. “Right now, we’re doing a lot of research. And everyone here is working on what it would take to replace the things that are affected by PBS.”
Reid said he was also asked to look into whether they could keep PBS but give up the “PBS NewsHour” and “Washington Week” news programs. The decision ultimately rests with the committee, Reed said.
A PBS spokesperson confirmed that no other statewide network has cut ties with PBS yet.
The prospect sparked backlash from Alabama public television viewers and donors.
Jennifer Greer, a retired writer and teacher, is one of the volunteers helping to mount a postcard campaign urging the state to maintain its PBS affiliation. Preschoolers, students and adults across the state benefit every day from PBS programming, she said.
“When you take one of the most effective tools in the public education toolkit, defund it and make it so that only the wealthy can afford it, that’s responsible. That’s a step backwards,” Greer said.
Petitions and posts were shared across social media urging people to “Save a TV Show for Alabama’s Children” and urging people to attend the upcoming meeting.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting provided approximately $2.8 million to Alabama Public Television although the funds were not used directly to purchase PBS programming. Alabama Public Television is paying about $2.2 million to buy PBS programming. The amount was deducted after federal funding was cut.
Greer and others said they worry that dropping PBS would put Alabama Public Television on a downward financial spiral. Public media outlets get a large portion of their funding from memberships and donations. “If we separate from PBS, our contributions will decrease, and this could jeopardize the stability of the entire operation,” she said.
Commissioners were split at the Oct. 28 meeting, according to him Alabama reflector and al.com.
“I just, I don’t want to fund it,” committee member Les Barnett said during the meeting, according to the Alabama Reflector newspaper. “PBS has made itself an enemy of what I stand for, and so I don’t like them, and I don’t follow the philosophy of feeding the beast.” Barnett did not return an email from The Associated Press.
J. Holland, another member of the committee, said he was interested in exploring whether the state could start purchasing PBS programming on a selective basis, choosing some shows over others. The current PBS contract does not allow this.
Pete Conroy, another committee member, said they should keep the TV show. He said he is concerned that some commissioners are “acting politically.”
“I know how much PBS is used in our public schools, private schools and churches. It’s always about the kids. These kids need to step up to this type of programming,” Conroy said.