Goodbye Big Bird? Maybe

By Kay M Roth

Say goodbye to Big Bird, nature programs and Antique Roadshow. It’s possible. If the federal government goes through with their plans to cut funding to NPR and PBS, those are just some of the shows that might end up on the cutting room floor. 


While the legislature is trying to come up with cuts to help create a balanced budget, the debate on funding for NPR and PBS rages on. Conservatives are leading the charge to cut the spending. Liberals are on the same side of the aisle as public broadcasting, wanting funding to remain in place. For both sides, the battle seems to have just begun.


If lawmakers in Washington, DC have their way, the tried and true programming that has entertained and informed the public for years might be a thing of the past. Maybe.

The federal government allocates funds to NPR and PBS each year. For NPR, their share equals about 5 percent of their overall budget. In Oregon, $2.5 million in federal dollars yearly goes to Oregon Public Broadcasting. That amount is roughly 10 percent of their entire budget.

How many people actually listen to NPR or watch PBS on a regular basis. According to an article by Ben Robins, at least 27 million people listen to at least one show per day. NPR creates and distributes 25 shows each week. Approximately 89 million people watch something on their local PBS station each week.

Locally, several people responded to a non-scientific survey regarding their thoughts on NPR and PBS. All respondents said they either watched PBS or listened to NPR on a regular basis.

“I listen to NPR every morning and evening,” Kevin Kirk said. Kirk, who worked in local radio when he lived in the mid valley, said he likes the programming and would hate to see it not be available.

Melissa Mills has similar thoughts about PBS. The managing editor of Mom Magazine has three school-aged children at home. “We love PBS.” Her children watch the educational cartoons every afternoon. They are not the only PBS fans in the house. “I love some of their cooking and travel shows.” The possible defunding worries Mills. “I would be really sad to see the funding disappear.”

Jay Stevens-eck lives in Scio and grew up watching PBS and still takes time from her busy schedule to watch it. “My day isn’t complete without it.” Sadly, one of her favorite programs, the WonderWorks movie series, is no longer on the air. She does still have several other shows she watches regularly. "I really love the British comedies, the sewing and knitting ladies and Charlie Rose."


"PBS is an awesome station!" Stevens-eck said she thinks she's more well rounded as an adult because of the shows she watched on PBS as a child. 

Pat Purdue of Albany is also a fan. “I watch and listen to them both and would hate to see them go.” He didn’t realize either received funding from the government.

Stephanie Lunceford is another area mother who appreciates what NPR brings to her life. “I listen to NPR every morning.” While she doesn’t know about the federal funding she said her family pledges money every year to help keep NPR going.


Cecily Brown of Corvallis is another fan who, like Lunceford, donates to PBS. She trusted PBS to entertain and educate her children. Now, her grandchildren benefit from the educational programing of PBS. 


Brown also is an avid NPR listener. Among her favorites are "A Prairie Home Companion," "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," and "Car Talk." 


Brown also donates to support public broadcasting. "I pledge as part of the sustaining circle through NPR." She occasionally donates to support specific programing efforts. "I listen to NPR every morning."


 NPR and PBS both receive funding from many sources, the federal government's is just a small piece of the pie. Funding comes from private donations, businesses and other partnerships. For the millions of people who listen to NPR or watch PBS, the federal dollars could mean the difference between their favorite shows remaining on the air or their local station going dark.



At a glance
The breakdown
NPR- who listens?
PBS- who watches?