Funding FAQs: Why WGTE Public Media Needs Your Support

Public media funding has become a key topic of discussion. WGTE Public Media has answered some common questions to help you understand how public media funding works and why it’s so important to our service.

5 Key Points About Public Media and Federal Funding:

• Reach: Public media serves 99% of the U.S. population, reaching millions every day.
• CPB Funding: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) distributes federal funds to local stations. This averages about $1.60 per American annually.
• WGTE Funding: 21% of WGTE's annual funding comes from CPB.
• Pooling Resources: CPB funding helps stations collaborate on costly resources like satellite interconnection, emergency alert systems, music licensing, and educational programs.
• Impact of Cuts: Reducing federal funding would hurt rural stations, making it harder for them to serve communities that rely on them.

What is CPB’s Role in Public Broadcasting?

• The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is a nonprofit, independent organization created by Congress in 1967.
• CPB isn’t a broadcaster like PBS or NPR, but it supports programming, stations, and technology.
• It helps fund commercial-free content accessible to everyone, without political influence.
• CPB’s total funding is over $500 million annually, allocated to ensure universal access to high-quality programming.
• PBS and NPR do not directly receive CPB funding—it's distributed to local stations based on their needs.

How Much CPB Funding Does WGTE Receive?

• WGTE receives about 21% of its revenue from CPB, totaling around $1.2 million for the 2025 fiscal year.
• This amount is based on factors like population size and local fundraising efforts.
• Funding from CPB reflects 21% WGTE’s projected revenue of 5.535 million for fiscal year 2025.

Why Does WGTE (and Other Stations) Need Federal Funding?

• While most of WGTE’s funding comes from viewers and listeners, federal funding (roughly $1.60 per person per year) is vital to maintain programming and services.
• Rural stations, especially, rely heavily on CPB funding and may face closure if it’s eliminated. In many rural areas, public media is the only local news source.
• Without federal support, stations may need to cut: 
  • Educational content
  • Public safety communications (e.g., during disasters)
  • Resources for teachers
  • Music and cultural programming

What Happens If WGTE Loses CPB Support?

• WGTE would try to raise $1.2 million from donors and sponsors, but essential services like satellite interconnection, emergency alerts, and educational programming rely on CPB funding.
• Without this support, the whole public media system would be weakened, especially hurting rural communities

How Is WGTE Preparing for This Possibility?

• WGTE is actively coordinating with other public media organizations and the national group Protect My Public Media to advocate for continued funding.
• We are keeping up with developments at the federal and state levels and preparing plans to address potential changes.

Why Is Public Broadcasting Still Needed in a World Full of Other Content Sources?

• Local public media stations provide critical, free information that helps people make informed decisions.
• With fewer local journalists and growing division, public media provides unbiased, fact-checked news and programming, which is essential for: 
  • Health and safety decisions
  • Financial and political choices
  • Community well-being

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