Q. Is PBS Reno going out of business?
A. Absolutely not. We will continue to serve our region as we have every day since we went on the air in September 1983.
Q. What will happen to my favorite program(s)?
A. We will continue to show the national programs as they are made available from PBS, as we do now. Wild Nevada and ARTEFFECTS are funded locally and will continue as well.
Q. Will you continue with new local programs?
A. Yes, as they are funded. Several are in production right now, thanks to the financial support from our community.
Q. I heard CPB is closing down-how does that impact you?
A. CPB-the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is the funnel through which the federal dollars passed from Congress to public radio and TV stations. Since the federal funding has been pulled back, there is no need for the CPB to remain open, so they are closing their doors as of 9/30/25. If funding is reinstated CPB will reopen.
Q. What is being cut from the federal budget?
A. The annual federal budget appropriation for public broadcasting was $565 million dollars, or roughly $1.60 per taxpayer per year. While $565 million sounds like a lot of money, it amounts to less than 1% of the federal budget. That money was distributed to over 1500 public broadcast stations which include the 340 PBS and 900 NPR stations located across the country.
Q. How much money is PBS Reno losing?
A. We have lost $1.3 million dollars which we expected for our FY26 budget year that begins October 1, 2025. We have also lost an estimated $1.3 million from the FY27 budget year which begins October 1, 2026. This is 17% of our annual $7.3 million operating budget.
Q. Will you have community events and screenings?
A. Yes, as they are funded.
Q. Will you have to cut staff?
A. No, we will not cut our staff. If necessary, we will make cuts to local projects, capital improvements and reduce other costs but not staff.
Q. What about KUNR public radio?
A. We are not affiliated with public radio. PBS Reno is an independent 501c3 corporation owned by Channel 5 Public Broadcasting In. KUNR is owned and operated by the University, and we encourage you to connect with them directly regarding their funding needs.
Q. Will the federal money come back?
A. No one knows as of now. Our congressional delegation is exploring ways to get some money put back in the federal budget for public broadcasting, but nothing has happened as of now.
Q. Will you still have Passport and streaming?
A. Absolutely. These will continue as they are now.
Q. What about your Curiosity Classroom workshop and the Young Writer’s Contest?
A. Yes. These programs are generously funded by the community and will continue uninterrupted. We can continue this important work as well as expand it to the degree that it is funded.
Q. How will you make up that money? How can I help?
A. Several ways. First, we are encouraging everyone who watches to become a member if they are not already, in the amount that is best for them. You can send a check or donate online. People can also give through their estate plans, retirement accounts or our vehicle donation program. We have great relationships and support from area companies, corporations and foundations who have committed to continuing their support. Additionally, we do production work for hire and lease space on our broadcast tower, so there are many ways we work to diversify funding.
PBS Reno is debt free, as it has been for its entire existence. We have previously raised 83% of our annual operating budget through local support.