CPB Wins Governors Award Despite Trump’s Defunding/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) will receive the prestigious Television Academy Governors Award on Sept. 7, recognizing nearly six decades of contributions to U.S. television and radio. The honor comes just weeks before CPB winds down after Congress cut $1.1 billion in federal funding. Its closure is expected to reshape America’s cultural and news landscape, especially in smaller communities.
Quick Highlights
- Award: CPB to receive the Governors Award at the Creative Arts Emmys
- Date: Ceremony on September 7, 2025
- Recipient: Patricia de Stacy Harrison, CPB’s longtime president and CEO
- Impact: CPB funded PBS, NPR, 1,500 stations, and programs like Sesame Street
- Shutdown: Staff layoffs begin Sept. 30, with a small transition team until January
- Reason: Federal funding cut after President Trump canceled $1.1B in July
- Founded: 1968, serving nearly 60 years as a nonprofit champion of public media
- Legacy: Supported journalism, cultural programming, and emergency alerts nationwide
CPB Wins Governors Award Despite Trump’s Defunding
Deep Look
NEW YORK (AP) — The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which has shaped U.S. television and radio for nearly six decades, will receive one of the industry’s highest honors — even as it prepares to shut down following a loss of federal funding.
The Television Academy announced Tuesday that CPB will be awarded the Governors Award at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 7. The honor recognizes individuals or organizations that have made “profound, transformational, and long-lasting contributions” to the arts and science of television.
The award will be presented to Patricia de Stacy Harrison, CPB’s longest-serving president and CEO, who has led the organization through its final chapter.
Honoring a Legacy in Public Media
Founded in 1968, CPB has been the backbone of the U.S. public media system. It distributed funds to:
- PBS and NPR
- Over 1,500 local TV and radio stations
- Landmark programs including Sesame Street and Finding Your Roots
- Emergency broadcasting services for natural disasters
“For more than half a century, CPB has been a steadfast champion of storytelling that informs, educates, and unites us,” said Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego. “Public media has remained a vital space where diverse voices are heard and communities are served.”
The End of an Era
Despite its cultural impact, CPB is being dismantled after President Donald Trump signed legislation in July canceling $1.1 billion in approved funding. The administration has argued that public broadcasting is both politically biased and an unnecessary taxpayer expense.
The nonprofit informed staff that most positions will be eliminated by September 30, with a small transition team remaining until January 2026 to complete final tasks.
The shutdown is expected to hit smaller communities hardest, where local stations rely heavily on CPB funding to sustain journalism, educational programming, and cultural projects.
A Place in TV History
Previous Governors Award recipients include industry icons like Jerry Lewis, Ted Turner, Bob Hope, Debbie Allen, and franchises like Star Trek and American Idol.
By joining this list, CPB’s recognition underscores its role as one of the most influential forces in shaping U.S. media over the past 60 years — even as its operations come to a close.
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