PBS Chief Paula Kerger on the Aftermath of Federal Funding Cuts—and What People Get Wrong About Public Media
Kerger discusses what people get wrong about public media and what gives her hope
Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS, is navigating an unprecedented challenge in her 20-year leadership of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The recent federal funding cuts have forced PBS to make significant changes, including a 21% budget reduction and the loss of 100 jobs. Kerger attributes the drastic measures to the sudden loss of $1.1 billion in federal funding, a decision made by Congress in March of this year.
This sudden change has pushed PBS to tour the U.S. and engage with communities affected by the funding cuts. Despite the challenges, PBS has seen a surge in new memberships, with over a million new members joining since the funding rescission in July 2025. Kerger remains optimistic about the future of PBS, particularly for children's programming, which she feels is in a precarious position amidst the rise of YouTube.
She emphasizes the importance of PBS's educational content, which is rigorously tested and differs from the algorithm-driven content prevalent on YouTube.
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