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PBS Ends Weekend Newscasts Following Federal Funding Cuts, Introduces New Programming
PBS has discontinued its weekend breaking news programs in response to the $1.1 billion federal funding cut to public broadcasting enacted this summer. “PBS News Weekend,” which began broadcasting in 2013, aired its final episode on Sunday, with anchor John Yang announcing the closure “at least for the foreseeable future.”
The public broadcaster will replace the weekend newscasts with two new pre-recorded weekly programs beginning next weekend. “Horizons,” a science and technology show hosted by William Brangham, will air on Saturdays, while “Compass Points,” focusing on foreign affairs with Nick Schifrin as host, will broadcast on Sundays.
The decision to end live weekend news coverage allows PBS to reduce costs by eliminating weekend staffing, according to Sara Just, senior executive producer for “NewsHour.” Nielsen ratings indicate the weekend newscasts averaged 827,000 viewers per episode, approximately one million fewer than the weekday “NewsHour” broadcasts.
The funding elimination came in July when the Republican-controlled Congress acted on President Donald Trump’s recommendation to cut support for PBS and NPR. Trump has repeatedly criticized public broadcasting news programming, claiming it shows bias against conservative viewpoints.
During Sunday’s final broadcast, PBS highlighted significant news stories that broke on weekends, including Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and President Joe Biden’s Sunday withdrawal from the presidential race weeks later. The montage served as a reminder of the important role weekend news coverage plays in informing the American public about breaking events.
When asked if the weekend newscasts might return should future government funding be restored, Just responded, “I never say never, but this is not a temporary decision.”
The funding cuts have forced additional changes at PBS beyond the weekend news cancellation. The network has closed its Arizona bureau, which had allowed “NewsHour” to provide updated broadcasts for West Coast viewers. Despite these reductions, Just emphasized that the flagship weekday “NewsHour” program remains secure, noting that the broadcast is actually expanding its reach through digital platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
“I don’t see that program at risk in the near future,” Just stated.
The new weekend programs will each run for 30 minutes and focus on single topics. “Horizons” will explore subjects like artificial intelligence, climate science, and medical advances, while “Compass Points” will provide in-depth analysis of international issues.
The changes at PBS reflect broader challenges facing public media in an increasingly polarized political environment. Public broadcasting has long been a target of conservative criticism despite its mandate to provide educational programming and balanced news coverage to all Americans.
The $1.1 billion funding cut represents a significant blow to the public broadcasting ecosystem, which includes hundreds of local stations serving communities across the country. These stations often provide educational programming, cultural content, and local news coverage, particularly in underserved markets where commercial broadcasting options are limited.
The transition from live weekend news to pre-recorded thematic programming signals a strategic shift as PBS adapts to financial constraints while attempting to maintain its core mission of public education and information. Whether this approach will satisfy viewers accustomed to timely weekend news coverage remains to be seen as the new programs debut next weekend.
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14 Comments
I’m very saddened to hear about the end of the PBS weekend newscasts. Those programs were an important counterbalance to the often sensationalized coverage on commercial networks, providing thoughtful, fact-based journalism. The new specialized shows may be well-produced, but they can’t replicate the immediacy and breadth of live breaking news reporting. This is a real loss for public media.
I agree completely. The weekend newscasts were a crucial part of PBS’s news programming, and their absence will leave a significant void. While the new shows may have their merits, they simply can’t match the importance of comprehensive, up-to-date news coverage, especially on weekends when many people have more time to follow current events.
While I understand the need to reduce costs, losing the weekend news programs is a blow to PBS’s ability to provide comprehensive, up-to-date coverage. The new science and foreign affairs shows sound interesting, but can they really replace the value of live breaking news reporting?
That’s a fair point. Live news coverage is so important, especially on weekends when many people have more time to follow current events. I hope the viewership numbers don’t drop too significantly with this change.
The loss of the weekend PBS newscasts is really unfortunate. Those programs provided a valuable alternative to the often sensationalized coverage on commercial networks. I hope the new science and foreign affairs shows can maintain high standards of journalism, but it’s hard to replicate the importance of live breaking news reporting.
This is a real shame. The PBS weekend newscasts were an essential source of quality journalism and analysis. Replacing them with more niche programming, even if it’s well-produced, just doesn’t seem like an adequate substitute. I hope this isn’t a sign of further erosion of public media funding and capabilities.
This is disappointing news for fans of in-depth public broadcasting. The weekend newscasts were a reliable source of quality journalism. Shifting to more niche programming may appeal to some viewers, but it seems like a step backwards in terms of comprehensive news coverage.
This is really disappointing news. The PBS weekend newscasts were a vital source of quality journalism and in-depth analysis, especially on weekends when many people have more time to follow current events. While the new science and foreign affairs programs sound interesting, they can’t fully replace the value of comprehensive live news coverage.
It’s really unfortunate to see the weekend PBS newscasts shut down due to funding cuts. Those were an important source of in-depth coverage on weekends. I hope the new science and foreign affairs programs can help fill that gap, but it’s a significant loss for public broadcasting.
Agreed, the weekend newscasts provided valuable journalism and analysis that will be missed. I’m curious to see how the new specialized programs perform in terms of viewership and filling the void.
As someone who relies on PBS for in-depth, fact-based news coverage, I’m disappointed to see the weekend newscasts go. While the new specialized programs sound interesting, I worry that they won’t be able to match the breadth and immediacy of the previous weekend news broadcasts. This is a significant setback for public media.
I agree completely. The weekend newscasts were an important part of PBS’s news lineup, and I’m concerned that their absence will leave a void in comprehensive coverage, especially on weekends when many people have more time to follow current events. Hopefully the new shows can at least partially fill that gap.
It’s really disappointing to see the PBS weekend newscasts come to an end due to funding cuts. Those programs provided thoughtful, in-depth coverage that helped balance out the often sensationalized news on commercial networks. I worry that the new specialized shows won’t be able to fully replace the value of live breaking news reporting.
Absolutely. The weekend newscasts were an important part of PBS’s news programming, and their loss is a significant blow to the network’s ability to provide comprehensive coverage. I hope the new shows can maintain high journalistic standards, but it’s hard to replicate the immediacy and breadth of a live news program.