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How Federal Funding for Public Media Works — And What It Means for WTIU and WFIU

What’s Happened?

  • Wednesday, July 16: The Senate debated the rescissions package, considering multiple amendments. One key amendment protecting PEPFAR funding passed. 
  • Thursday, July 17 (Early): The Senate passed the amended rescissions package by a 51–48 vote. 
  • Thursday, July 17 (Later): The bill moved to the House. After procedural delays over unrelated resolutions, it was scheduled for a vote. 
  • Friday, July 18 (Late): The House approved the amended package with a narrow 216–213 vote, sending it to the White House to await presidential signature to become law. 

If signed, the bill will rescind approximately $1.1 billion in CPB funding, including $1.4 million annually earmarked for WTIU and WFIU.

What Is CPB?

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) distributes federal funding to public broadcasting organizations like NPR and PBS. Of its $535 million annual budget, over 70% goes directly to local radio and TV stations.

How Do WTIU and WFIU Use Federal Support?

CPB funds account for about 14% of our combined budget—roughly 5% of WFIU’s budget, and 20% of WTIU’s. These funds help us:

  • Produce local journalism, arts, documentary, and music programming
  • Broadcast national content from NPR and PBS
  • Maintain broadcast infrastructure serving southern Indiana
  • Offer educational programming, including PBS KIDS 

Federal funding also supports shared systems like emergency alerts, satellite distribution, and music licensing—resources many stations couldn't individually support.

What Could the Funding Cuts Mean?

Without CPB funding, we may need to:

  • Scale back local news and programs 
  • Reduce or delay equipment upgrades and maintenance 
  • Decrease availability of free educational content on broadcast and digital platforms 

Because public media is part of an interconnected national network, the effects could reach far beyond our own stations.

What Comes Next?

  • The bill is with the President, who is expected to sign it into law. 
  • If signed, CPB funds will be permanently rescinded for FY2026–2027. 
  • If vetoed, delayed, or unsigned by July 18, previously approved funding will be released as planned. 
  • Regardless, the next round of CPB payments is scheduled for October 2025. 

How Can I Help?

Indiana Public Media has served southern Indiana for over 75 years, thanks to listeners like you. Here’s how you can support local public media now:

  1. Make a donation (one-time or monthly) 
  2. Become a sustaining member 
  3. Share this page to raise awareness 
  4. Engage with our programming—your support fuels our mission 

WTIU and WFIU are still here.
Still Indiana Public Media.
Still local. Still free. Still you.

With your continued support, we’ll keep serving this community—today and for generations to come.