LAS VEGAS, NV – With Congress voting to rescind funding for public broadcasting, Vegas PBS wishes to assure viewers, parents, teachers and job seekers that it will continue to provide its essential services to Southern Nevada. Despite the significant loss of revenue, Vegas PBS remains committed to local storytelling, emergency broadcasting and education.
The Rescissions Package rescinds over $1 billion that was already approved for public media over the next two years. For Vegas PBS, this means a funding shortfall of $3.8 million in FY26 and FY27.
Federal funds played an important role in Vegas PBS’s services for children, such as PBS KIDS shows and free educational family workshops that prepare them for lifelong learning. These services are particularly crucial in Southern Nevada, where 74% of Pre-K children lack access to licensed early education.
During times of crisis, Vegas PBS is often the only broadcaster that reaches our region’s remote communities. Nationwide, federal funding helped PBS stations provide crucial emergency alerts and messaging to rural and urban areas alike. Without that critical source of revenue, this service is also at risk.
“This was not the outcome we were hoping for,” says Vegas PBS President and General Manager Mare Mazur. “Despite millions of Americans advocating for public broadcasting, this important service will now face a difficult road in the coming years. I want to thank our supporters in Southern Nevada and beyond who spoke up in defense of free and accessible public media. Your hard work is deeply appreciated and inspiring. I want to also express gratitude to Nevada’s Representatives and Senators who firmly stood by us.”
Despite the loss of federal funding, Vegas PBS remains committed to advancing local storytelling, education services, workforce development and supporting the Clark County School District. Families, teachers, job seekers and viewers will be able to count on us just as they have for generations.
Without federal funding, Vegas PBS will need to lean on local partners and the community to continue its mission. Those who wish to support Vegas PBS by becoming a member, contributing a philanthropic gift or through corporate support should visit vegaspbs.org/support or call 702.799.1010
About Vegas PBS
Vegas PBS is a member-supported public television service providing educational content for over 55 years. Vegas PBS builds community through television, education services, and unique experiences that create a sense of place, civic and social capital. For 15 consecutive years, Vegas PBS has remained among the top ten most-watched PBS stations in the country. The station offers four unique broadcast channels: Vegas PBS Ch. 10.1, Vegas PBS Create Ch. 10.2, VEGAS PBS KIDS Ch. 10.3, and Vegas PBS WORLD Ch. 10.4. The station collaborates with community partners to create award-winning content that examines informational, cultural, historic, and educational regional issues.
Vegas PBS provides a robust variety of education services and workforce development opportunities that extend the educational experience beyond the broadcast. Resources and services include Vegas PBS’ Ready To Learn educational workshops for children and families, professional development for teachers, online learning courses and certifications for adults, multimedia educational support for educators, and a Special Needs Resource Library serving those with special needs.
Vegas PBS viewers can access their favorite shows across multiple platforms including broadcast, vegaspbs.org, the PBS App and the PBS KIDS Video App. For more information, visit vegaspbs.org or find us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jennifer Bradley Eric Duran-Valle
jennifer@jbpublicrelations.com eduran-valle@vegaspbs.org
702.234.9385 702.799.1010 x5448