Arkansas viewers have done what state leaders wouldn’t: they’ve raised enough private money to keep PBS on the air.
A grassroots fundraising effort surpassed its $500,000 goal in just weeks, enough to cover the public television station’s costs through the end of the year. The campaign, organized by supporters across the state, responded to the Arkansas Educational Television Commission’s decision earlier this spring to drop PBS programming in favor of a more “appropriate” lineup.
The question now is whether the commission will accept the money or move forward with its original plans.
“This isn’t about politics. It’s about keeping ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ and ‘Sesame Street’ in Arkansas,” said Mary Carr, a retired schoolteacher in Fayetteville who donated $250 to the campaign. “My grandkids watch this. Millions of kids across the state watch this.”
The commission, which governs AETN, announced in April it would end its partnership with PBS, citing concerns about content. The decision sparked immediate backlash from educators, parents, and viewers who rely on the network’s educational programming.
Since then, the fundraising campaign — dubbed “Keep PBS Arkansas” — drew contributions from more than 8,000 households across all 75 counties. Organizers say the average donation was around $50, though some gave significantly more.
“We proved something,” said Tom Wiles, a Little Rock attorney who helped organize the effort. “Arkansans want PBS. They value it. And they’re willing to pay for it.”
The commission is scheduled to meet June 15 to decide whether to accept the private funding or proceed with its planned programming changes. If the money is declined, AETN would move forward with its new schedule, which includes more religious and conservative talk programming.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has not publicly weighed in on the fundraising success, though her administration previously supported the commission’s direction. A spokesperson for the Governor’s Office declined to comment.
For viewers in Northwest Arkansas, the outcome matters. PBS remains one of the few broadcast networks available over the air for rural residents in parts of Benton and Washington counties who don’t have cable or streaming subscriptions. The network’s educational children’s programming is particularly valued in a region where school districts have limited resources.
“There’s nothing else like it,” said Jennifer Odom, a mother of three in Rogers. “My kids learn from PBS. I’ve checked — there’s no replacement.”
Public broadcasting advocates are watching the June 15 vote closely. If the commission accepts the funds, it would mark a rare instance of citizens directly funding a state service that lawmakers had moved to cut. If it declines, the decision could set off a longer legal and political fight.
“They made a promise to Arkansas families,” Odom said. “Now let’s see if they keep it.”
Source: Arkansas Times
