What does the threat to federal funding for public media mean to the million plus people across the 45 counties Pioneer PBS serves? 

Federal funding makes up about 29% of our annual budget. It pays for programming and a small portion of our broadcast infrastructure. In other words, it pays for us to bring you All Creatures Great and Small, Nova, Nature, Ken Burns documentaries, Finding Your Roots, Antiques Roadshow, the vital children’s programming, as well as regional favorites like Market to Market and so much more. It provides us the ability to bring you the Create Channel, World Channel, FNX and PBS Kids. The infrastructure it helps support has essential public safety built into it. In times of natural disasters, when cell towers get overwhelmed or go down, the PBS system has stood. We are part of a vital local/national partnership. This funding is irreplaceable. I have no doubt that the loss of this critical funding would impact this region and the safety of our citizens. 

With 50% of America’s children not able to attend preschool, PBS Kids has stepped in to assure our children are ready to learn when they start school. This federal funding is seed money that helps us fundraise to bring local productions that raise your voice to the world. Postcards, Prairie Yard & Garden, Prairie Sportsman, Your Legislators, Meet the Candidates, veteran stories and local specials that celebrate the arts, culture, unique history and stories that showcase our region. 

For some perspective, industrial countries support public media. In the US we are all currently paying about $1.60 per person per year to support it. In Japan they pay about $40 per year per person, in the UK around $100, Norway $176, Canada $32.43. I’ve even seen statistics that show Botswana citizens pay just over $18 per person. You can find various studies that say the federal support is more, some say somewhat less. No matter which study you look at, the US pays the least. 

All PBS stations are locally controlled and operated, as was the intention when the system was created over 50 years ago. We all follow federally mandated underwriting and non-commercial practices to retain the integrity and trust the American people have put in us, to entertain, inform and educate without paid agendas or political pressures. We make programming decisions with our viewership in mind. We ask for your opinion on a regular basis to assure we continue to meet your needs. We raise foundational grants and underwriting to make sure we can tell this region’s story. To tell YOUR stories. 

Our mission; “Pioneer PBS brings the world to you and lifts your voices to the world”. As you can read in our Local Content and Service Report on our website, last year we heard from a viewer who let us know that our channels are her and her husband’s lifeline to the world. We are the only television station in this region, we are dedicated to making sure your voices are a part of the media landscape, for free, to all, no matter the means to support us financially or not. 

Visit protectmypublicmedia.org to learn how you can oppose efforts to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and their support of locally operated independent stations like Pioneer PBS. 

Other ways you can help include:

1. Contact your Representatives. Consider crafting a personal email to your representatives. While submitting a pre-written form does count, your concerns are prioritized when you contact your representatives directly. Find your representatives here, then email or call them directly, sharing your support for public media. Your voice makes a difference.
2. Be an Advocate. Stand up for public media, help raise awareness, and inspire others to act! Whether you share your story, engage on social media, contact Congress, or encourage others to take action, every voice makes a difference.
3. Stay informed. Follow updates from Pioneer PBS, Protect My Public Media, and other public media organizations to learn more about potential funding changes and how you can help.
4. Share your Story. Send an email to yourtv@pioneer.org telling us what Pioneer PBS means to you.

Without your voice, our region could lose the essential local service Pioneer PBS brings you. We are yours, and we need your voice now more than ever. 

Respectfully, 

Shari Lamke 

President & General Manager, Pioneer PBS