WPSU, Penn State’s public media station and the first educational television outlet in Pennsylvania, will shut down after more than 70 years on the air. The closure comes as the Trump administration eliminates federal support for NPR and PBS, making the station the first in the nation to go dark under the cuts.
Founded in 1953, WPSU broadcasts to State College and 24 rural counties across central and northern Pennsylvania. Beyond NPR and PBS programming, the station has provided emergency alerts, educational outreach, and original documentaries. Its $7 million annual budget has relied heavily on Penn State and federal funding, both of which have now been reduced.
The university has announced plans to wind down operations by June 2026, though staff departures may accelerate the timeline. About half of the station’s 82 employees have already been laid off.
An effort to save WPSU through a transfer to Philadelphia-based WHYY fell through last week. The proposal would have required Penn State to subsidize operations with $17.6 million over five years while WHYY built a fundraising model. University trustees rejected the plan, citing the financial risk and lack of guarantees for existing employees.
The decision leaves decades of programming and archival material in limbo. Observers warn the shutdown could also weaken emergency communication services across rural Pennsylvania.
WPSU’s fate reflects a larger crisis for small NPR and PBS affiliates nationwide. More than 100 rural stations depend on federal dollars for a significant share of their budgets. Philanthropic groups are attempting to raise $100 million to bridge funding gaps, but that falls far short of the $1.1 billion the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was expected to distribute over the next two years.
Other Pennsylvania stations, including WDIY in Bethlehem and WQED in Pittsburgh, are bracing for similar challenges. WQED has already cut more than a third of its staff. Industry leaders predict consolidation will be the only way forward, with larger stations absorbing smaller ones.
Source: Phila. Inquirer