In response to Leon Kaplan's Jan. 2 opinion piece in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, I defend the commission's Dec. 11, 2025, decision to disaffiliate from PBS effective July 1, 2026, and rebrand as Arkansas TV.

This prudent choice ensures fiscal sustainability and emphasizes local programming amid a transformed media landscape.

The decision stems from the loss of $2.5 million in annual federal funding--roughly 20 percent of our $13 million budget--combined with unsustainable $2.5 million PBS dues. As Executive Director Carlton Wing noted, continuing these payments would create a $6 million deficit by 2030, risking our ability to stay on air.........

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