When news spread last month that some members of the Alabama Educational Television Commission (AETC) suggested Alabama Public Television break ties with PBS during a quarterly meeting, we received over twelve hundred emails, more than a hundred phone calls and dozens of cards and letters from viewers condemning this idea.  Commission members received your input, as well as a letter from Governor Ivey requesting the Commission to thoroughly survey Alabama citizens to ensure your voices are heard. The Commission voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to maintain PBS affiliation for at least the term of the current PBS contract, through June 30, 2026.

To everyone who joined us from communities across Alabama for Tuesday’s special Commission meeting, thank you for your support.  We were grateful to hear testimonials on the vital importance of PBS programming to your children and grandchildren, as well as yourselves and others in the community.

We are grateful for your powerful comments and your commitment to the future of public media in Alabama.  The elimination of CPB funding for APT has left us with a substantial gap for the current fiscal year in our Foundation budget, and we will rely on viewers like you to help us fill that gap. Your added support will demonstrate better than any other measure that PBS should be part of APT’s schedule now and far into the future.  Thank you.

Wayne Reid
Executive Director, Alabama Public Television