Friends of Arkansas PBS to support Arkansas TV Foundation
by March 30, 2026 5:38 pm 453 views
In response to the March 12th AETN Commission meeting, the Arkansas TV Foundation has created a separate fund to support the future of PBS in Arkansas.
On March 12, the AETN Commission hosted a formal meeting where former First Ladies Gay White and Barbara Pryor, CEO of PBS Paula Kerger, and more than 100 citizens from across Arkansas voiced their opinions and asked the AETN Commission to reconsider their vote to disaffiliate from National PBS.
After listening to hours of testimony and public comment, the commission voted to delay the decision to disaffiliate Arkansas TV from PBS. This was done to allow time to close the funding gap.
A separate donor fund has been created as the “PBS DUES FUND.” Funds donated will be restricted to only paying future PBS dues for Arkansas TV. All donations are tax deductible. If for any reason Arkansas TV severs ties with PBS, any unspent funds will be returned to donors upon request.
“We are so grateful to the AETN Commission for hearing the voices of Arkansans and giving us the time to fundraise for this worthy cause,” said White. “Additionally, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Arkansas TV Foundation for creating this separate fund for donors that want to keep PBS in Arkansas.”
“It is incredibly heartwarming to see Arkansans from every corner of this state come together to advocate for the quality educational programming that PBS provides,” said Pryor. “It is my sincere hope that our leadership at the capitol and the AETN Commission continue to work in good faith with the people of Arkansas and that together, we find a responsible way forward.”
The next meeting of the AETN Commission is set for June 4. The Arkansas General Assembly is set to meet prior to the next meeting for the 2026 Fiscal Session.
Arkansans are encouraged to remain aware of the ongoing progress by following the FriendsofArkansasPBS.org website and subsequent Facebook page.