BIRMINGHAM — The director of Alabama Public Television said Tuesday that the public service broadcaster could drop NPR programming in the state following federal funding cuts.
Wayne Reid, executive director of Alabama Public Television, said it will lose about $3.2 million, equal to about 13% of its FY24 budget, in federal funding after President Donald Trump signed a law revoking $1.1 billion for public media over the next two fiscal years. Reid said there is a possibility Alabama Public Television will drop NPR programming and instead take up programming from the Public Radio Exchange for its stations based in Huntsville.
“We’ve got a great plan for taking what we’re losing and being able to move forward, and really engage more into the community,” Reid said.
He said Alabama Public Television is currently reviewing its budgets and does not have a concrete plan for future funding, but that it may include asking the state Legislature for additional funding. Board member Johnny Curry said the state should have no issue funding APT if it is able to educate legislators on what they do.
“Regardless of how we raise funds, I don’t see us stepping away from our core mission of providing educational products to the children of this state,” Curry said. “I don’t think we really are in danger of losing our state dollars if we educate the Legislature about what our education mission is. Our mission is not masterpiece theater.”