© 2025. The Trustees of Indiana University
Copyright Complaints
1229 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Give Now
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Federal funding for public media has been eliminated — we need your help to continue serving south central Indiana
Some web content from Indiana Public Media is unavailable during our transition to a new web publishing platform. We apologize for the inconvenience.

WFIU is conducting upgrades to essential studio equipment on September 10 and 11. These upgrades may cause temporary interruptions to WFIU and WFIU2’s broadcasting and streaming. Thank you for your patience.

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

Latest Update: August 1, 2025

On August 1, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced it will begin a responsible shutdown process following the permanent rescission of federal funding for FY2026. This decision marks a significant turning point for public media nationwide.

While WTIU and WFIU do not anticipate immediate operational changes, the broader impact is already being felt across Indiana, and we anticipate hard times ahead as stations face difficult decisions.

This development underscores the urgency of the funding loss and its ripple effects across the public media system. Indiana Public Media remains committed to transparency and will continue to update this page as more information becomes available.

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: 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. 
  • Thursday, July 24: The President signed the bill into law, officially enacting the rescissions.

This bill formally rescinds $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:

  • Reduce our headcount by not filling open staff positions
  • Scale back local programs and local news  
  • Delay or reduce 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 President has signed the bill into law.
  • As a result, CPB funding has been permanently rescinded for FY2026–2027.
  • Previously approved allocations will not be released, and the next round of CPB payments—scheduled for October 2025—will reflect these cuts.
  • WTIU and WFIU will lose approximately $1.4 million annually, a significant portion of our operating budget.
  • We are actively assessing how to sustain our services to Bloomington and surrounding communities in light of these changes.
  • Like many public media stations across the country, we are exploring new funding models, community partnerships, and advocacy efforts to ensure continued access to trusted local journalism, arts, and educational programming.

How Can I Help?

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

  1. Become a monthly sustaining member of this station. It's the most powerful way to keep local voices strong.
  2. Share this page to raise awareness 
  3. Engage with our programming—your support fuels our mission 

Right now, public media faces a critical moment.

Stand with WFIU and WTIU to navigate the path ahead with strength, conviction, and hope.

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