1967-2025
DECADES OF THE
CORPORATION
FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
A timeline of America’s iconic public broadcasting legacy
19 70
1967
CPB is established
1970
PBS Launches
1971
NPR Goes on Air
19 80
1980s
Expantion into Rural America
CPB funding helps extend public broadcasting into rural and underserved communities, where media is often limited.
19 90
1990s
Educational Programming
Shows like Sesame Street first air
2020
2020
Pandemic Emergency Broadcasting
During COVID-19, public stations use CPB-supported infrastructure to air instructional classes and educational content for students without reliable internet access.
2025
Congress Rescinds Funding
Under the Trump administration, Congress withdraws all federal funding for CPB for FY 2026–2027, removing the organization’s financial base, leading to its later dissolvement.
NPR Goes On Air
National public radio debuts
National Public Radio aired its first broadcast in 1971, marking the beginning of a nationwide public radio network. NPR affiliates relied in part on CPB funding to support news and local reporting. Over time, NPR became a trusted source of in-depth journalism and storytelling. The network expanded rapidly across urban and rural communities.
Journalists Cokie Roberts and Linda Wertheimer conduct a live broadcast in an NPR studio in 1980.
PBS Launches
Public television network begins
The Public Broadcasting Service launched in 1970, creating a national network for public television stations. PBS provided a centralized system for distributing educational and documentary programming. Local stations remained independently owned but gained access to shared national content. The network quickly became a staple in American households.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Public Broadcasting Act on Nov. 7, 1967, alongside congressional leaders who shaped the legislation establishing CPB.
Educational Programming
Classrooms on the air
The 1990s saw major growth in educational programming across public television. Shows like Sesame Street, NOVA, Frontline, and American Experience became part of the regular PBS lineup. CPB also expanded funding for literacy initiatives and classroom resources for children. Public broadcasting became closely tied to education both inside and outside schools.
Elementary students gather around a classroom computer to watch CPB sponsored educational programming.
Expansion into Rural America
Reaching underserved communities
During the 1980s, CPB funding helped extend public broadcasting infrastructure into rural and underserved areas. Many communities that lacked commercial media outlets gained access to news, educational programming, and emergency information. For some stations, CPB grants made up a significant portion of operating budgets. This expansion reinforced public media’s role as a community lifeline.
Smoky Hills PBS station on a crossroads in Bunker Hill, Kansas, helping to represent the expansion of public broadcasting into rural America.
Pandemic Emergency Broadcasting
Education during crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public stations used CPB-supported infrastructure to air instructional classes and educational content. This was especially critical for students without reliable internet access. Stations partnered with school districts to broadcast lessons over the air. Public media served as an emergency classroom during widespread school closures.
Two children with masks spend time to learn remotely using CPB-sponsored resources during the pandemic.
CPB is Established
Federal public media foundation
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting was created under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 to serve as a steward of federal funding for noncommercial media. Its mission was to ensure that all Americans, regardless of income or geography, had access to educational and cultural programming. CPB does not produce content itself, but distributes funds to local stations nationwide. This structure helped build the modern public media system.
A television presenter stands beside the Corporation for Public Broadcasting logo during an early 1970s color broadcast segment.
Congress Rescinds Funding
Federal support withdrawn
In 2025, Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in federal funding allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The decision eliminated all federal support for CPB for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Without this funding, CPB lost the financial base required to continue operating. Station leaders across the country began preparing for a future without CPB.
CPB broadcasting offices prepare for vacancy during the corporations last months of operation.
19 70
Daniel Pippin (Student)
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Transcript
1967-2025
DECADES OF THE
CORPORATION
FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
A timeline of America’s iconic public broadcasting legacy
19 70
1967
CPB is established
1970
PBS Launches
1971
NPR Goes on Air
19 80
1980s
Expantion into Rural America
CPB funding helps extend public broadcasting into rural and underserved communities, where media is often limited.
19 90
1990s
Educational Programming
Shows like Sesame Street first air
2020
2020
Pandemic Emergency Broadcasting
During COVID-19, public stations use CPB-supported infrastructure to air instructional classes and educational content for students without reliable internet access.
2025
Congress Rescinds Funding
Under the Trump administration, Congress withdraws all federal funding for CPB for FY 2026–2027, removing the organization’s financial base, leading to its later dissolvement.
NPR Goes On Air
National public radio debuts
National Public Radio aired its first broadcast in 1971, marking the beginning of a nationwide public radio network. NPR affiliates relied in part on CPB funding to support news and local reporting. Over time, NPR became a trusted source of in-depth journalism and storytelling. The network expanded rapidly across urban and rural communities.
Journalists Cokie Roberts and Linda Wertheimer conduct a live broadcast in an NPR studio in 1980.
PBS Launches
Public television network begins
The Public Broadcasting Service launched in 1970, creating a national network for public television stations. PBS provided a centralized system for distributing educational and documentary programming. Local stations remained independently owned but gained access to shared national content. The network quickly became a staple in American households.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Public Broadcasting Act on Nov. 7, 1967, alongside congressional leaders who shaped the legislation establishing CPB.
Educational Programming
Classrooms on the air
The 1990s saw major growth in educational programming across public television. Shows like Sesame Street, NOVA, Frontline, and American Experience became part of the regular PBS lineup. CPB also expanded funding for literacy initiatives and classroom resources for children. Public broadcasting became closely tied to education both inside and outside schools.
Elementary students gather around a classroom computer to watch CPB sponsored educational programming.
Expansion into Rural America
Reaching underserved communities
During the 1980s, CPB funding helped extend public broadcasting infrastructure into rural and underserved areas. Many communities that lacked commercial media outlets gained access to news, educational programming, and emergency information. For some stations, CPB grants made up a significant portion of operating budgets. This expansion reinforced public media’s role as a community lifeline.
Smoky Hills PBS station on a crossroads in Bunker Hill, Kansas, helping to represent the expansion of public broadcasting into rural America.
Pandemic Emergency Broadcasting
Education during crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public stations used CPB-supported infrastructure to air instructional classes and educational content. This was especially critical for students without reliable internet access. Stations partnered with school districts to broadcast lessons over the air. Public media served as an emergency classroom during widespread school closures.
Two children with masks spend time to learn remotely using CPB-sponsored resources during the pandemic.
CPB is Established
Federal public media foundation
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting was created under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 to serve as a steward of federal funding for noncommercial media. Its mission was to ensure that all Americans, regardless of income or geography, had access to educational and cultural programming. CPB does not produce content itself, but distributes funds to local stations nationwide. This structure helped build the modern public media system.
A television presenter stands beside the Corporation for Public Broadcasting logo during an early 1970s color broadcast segment.
Congress Rescinds Funding
Federal support withdrawn
In 2025, Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in federal funding allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The decision eliminated all federal support for CPB for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Without this funding, CPB lost the financial base required to continue operating. Station leaders across the country began preparing for a future without CPB.
CPB broadcasting offices prepare for vacancy during the corporations last months of operation.