Dec. 11, 2025
Commission votes to not renew PBS contract; renewed focus on Arkansas makes room for more local programming
CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas) — Arkansas’s only statewide public television network prepares for its 60th year of serving the state and its citizens by announcing a new name and renewed commitment to delivering even more local stories. Effective today, Arkansas TV, previously known as Arkansas PBS and AETN, will move into a new era of service, honoring our mission to local storytelling, meaningful community partnerships and more opportunities to celebrate the people and places that make our state extraordinary.
For decades, the network’s mission has remained steadfast: to educate, inform and inspire. One area we pledge to increase, moving forward, is more Arkansas programming – more Arkansas stories, more Arkansas voices and more Arkansas experiences on your screen. Our Emmy award-winning team of storytellers is energized and eager to deliver programming aligned with our mission through a distinctly Arkansas lens.
“Arkansas TV is our promise that visual storytelling—centered on the people, places and experiences of our state—remains at the core of everything we do,” Executive Director and CEO Carlton Wing said. “As we embrace our new identity as Arkansas TV, we are also making strategic decisions to ensure a sustainable model for public television in Arkansas and our ability to serve Arkansans for generations to come.”
This summer’s unexpected loss of $2.5 million in annual federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) presented formidable challenges. A careful and considerate organization-wide review of operations, partnerships and sustainability revealed that annual PBS membership dues of nearly $2.5 million was simply not feasible for the network or our Foundation. In the interest of creating a sustainable model for public television in Arkansas, the Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted today to disaffiliate from PBS effective July 1, 2026.
“Public television in Arkansas is not going away,” Wing said. “In fact, we invite you to join our vision for an increased focus on local programming, continuing to safeguard Arkansans in times of emergency and supporting our K-12 educators and students. We are profoundly grateful for the overwhelming support that donors, viewers and community partners have shown since this funding loss. We are confident that we can secure ongoing and increased support from individual donors, foundation partners and corporate sponsors who see the value in investing in new local programming that serves our state.”
As part of our commitment to strong, Arkansas-focused storytelling, several new productions are currently in development. A great lineup coming in 2026 will feature two children's series, two food-related series, two history series and several others that are in the initial phases of development and fundraising.
Through June 30, 2026, viewers can expect little to no change to the broadcast programming lineup. Beginning July 1, 2026, the network is excited to deliver several new local shows, as well as favorites from the last 60 years. After July 1, 2026, there will remain a number of ways that PBS content can continue to be accessed. For more information, visit myarpbs.org/ArkansasTV.
The current PBS contract ends on June 30, 2026. Viewers will begin seeing our name change to "Arkansas TV" over the next several months on TV, our website, social media and email.
About Arkansas TV
Arkansas TV, Arkansas’s only statewide public television network, informs and inspires learners of all ages through local storytelling, educational resources and meaningful community partnerships. Local programs can be livestreamed at myarpbs.org/live and accessed on-demand at youtube.com/arkansaspbs, and the distinct channels Arkansas TV and AIRS on SAP. Arkansas TV depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering locally produced, Arkansas-focused programming. Additional information is available at myarpbs.org/ArkansasTV. Arkansas TV is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Lee Mountain), KETS (Forrest City), KETS (Yancy) and KETS (Gaither).
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