University of Kwazulu-Natal

The History Of Public Broadcasting In The U S Current

Bonisiwe Shabane
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the history of public broadcasting in the u s current

In the United States, other than a few direct services, public broadcasting is almost entirely decentralized and is not operated by the government, but receives some government support. In July 2025, Congress approved a spending bill that terminated all federal funding for public broadcasting, including PBS and NPR.[3] The U.S. public broadcasting system differs from such systems in other countries, in that the principal public television and radio broadcasters – the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), respectively – operate as... Some of the funding comes from community support to hundreds of public radio and public television stations, each of which is an individual entity licensed to one of several different non-profit organizations, municipal or... Sources of funding also include on-air and online pledge drives and the sale of underwriting "spots" (typically running 15–30 seconds) to sponsors.[4]

Individual stations and programs rely on highly varied proportions of funding. Program-by-program funding creates the potential for conflict-of-interest situations, which must be weighed program by program under standards such as the guidelines established by PBS.[5] Donations are widely dispersed to stations and producers, giving the... U.S. federal government support for public radio and television was filtered through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which operated as a separate organization. The CPB is shutting down following a new law of the U.S. government in July 2025 which halted all funding to the CPB.

Public radio and television stations often produce their own programs as well as purchase additional programming from national producers and program distributors such as NPR, PBS, American Public Television (APT), American Public Media (APM),... Public broadcasting in the U.S. has grown from local and regional roots at schools and universities into a nationally known source of news and entertainment for millions of listeners and viewers. Our timeline of public broadcasting’s history traces its growth from the earliest radio broadcasts to its days as the home of Big Bird, Frontline and Terry Gross. We hit the landmark events, like the signing of the Public Broadcasting Act, and include lesser-known milestones as well — like the airplane circling over Indiana that broadcast educational TV shows to six states. Dive in and discover how public media became what it is today.

This is a revised and updated version of the timeline that appeared in our book A History of Public Broadcasting, published in 2000. A new version of the book is forthcoming. Entries by Karen Everhart, Mike Janssen and Steve Behrens With the Morrill Act, Congress endows state universities with land grants, creating what some observers believe was a philosophical precedent for public broadcasting and its public funding. Guglielmo Marconi sends a wireless signal from his family estate in Italy. Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

People participate in a rally to call on Congress to protect funding for PBS and NPR outside the NPR headquarters in Washington, DC, on March 26, 2025. Public media began as classroom radio in the 1920s. It was dry, instructional, and pretty boring. Most only thought of news as newspapers or the anchors you see on your parents’ favorite channel every morning. But it evolved to combine entertainment, education, and lessons in democracy. That evolution helped shape National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service into platforms that elevate untold community stories and give us and our kids the tools to live better lives.

NPR and PBS not only tells us the news happening locally and nationally, they give children a safe avenue for early learning. Josh Shepperd is a historian and author specializing in public media at the University of Colorado Boulder. Toward Racial Justice: Voices from the Midstate Public media maintains a clear and consistent mission: to inform and strengthen communities. But with public media now under siege, I want to highlight some of the relevant history and current public media initiatives. In 1967, amid social and cultural upheaval, the federal Public Broadcasting Act authorized the creation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, leading to the establishment of National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service.

This set the foundation for noncommercial, community-focused media and ensured that educational programming and unbiased news would be accessible to all. Access to TV and community radio stations strengthened public media’s reach, giving local voices a platform and fostering civic engagement. Public media emerged as a trusted resource dedicated to the public good rather than to corporate profit. For 35 years, Dave Edwards served as Executive Director and General Manager for WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio, Chairman of the NPR Board of Directors, and has held board positions on the Station Resource Group,... He has also served as Chairman of the Radio Research Consortium Board of Directors and a member of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Board of Directors. He is the winner of the U:SA Madison Hodges Innovator Award for Public Media Advancement.

He now provides consulting services to public media stations and non-profits organizations. The University of Wisconsin begins voice broadcasting with radio station 9XM, forerunner of WHA, under an experimental license. Read how FM radio was created in the United States Read about the allocation of channels for public broadcasting. Read President Kennedy’s statement about support for public television. The seeds of public broadcasting in America were sown in the 1920s, with universities and schools experimenting with radio broadcasts.

The National Association of Educational Broadcasters (NAEB), formed in 1934, played a crucial role in fostering collaboration and advocating for a dedicated public airwave space. Their efforts culminated in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to financially support a non-commercial television network. PBS, the Public Broadcasting Service, emerged in 1970, inheriting the mantle from its predecessor, the National Educational Television (NET). Unlike NET, PBS embraced a broader programming philosophy, offering educational shows like "Sesame Street" alongside documentaries and in-depth news coverage. This shift reflected a public desire for informative and enriching content beyond just formal education. Meanwhile, public radio flourished alongside television.

National Public Radio (NPR), established in 1970, became a prominent voice in news and current affairs. NPR affiliates, spread across the country, provided local news alongside nationally produced shows like "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered," earning a reputation for balanced reporting and insightful analysis. Today, public broadcasting remains a vital part of the American media landscape. Funded through a combination of federal grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual contributions, it offers an alternative to commercial media. Free from the pressures of advertiser ratings, NPR and PBS prioritize in-depth reporting, investigative journalism, and educational programming. This commitment to quality has made NPR a trusted source of news and information, consistently ranking high in audience trust surveys.

Public broadcasting's journey, from its educational roots to its current role as a respected news source, reflects a dedication to serving the public good. It provides a platform for diverse voices and viewpoints, enriching American discourse and fostering a more informed citizenry.

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