Public Broadcasting to Receive Television Academy Governors Award Amidst closure
Los Angeles, CA - The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a key funder of public media in the united States, will be honored with a Governors Award from the Television Academy. The recognition comes as the institution prepares to cease operations after nearly six decades of supporting educational programming, cultural content, and emergency alerts.
The Television Academy’s Governors Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a “deep, transformative and lasting contribution to the arts and/or the science of television.” CPB, which provides funding to PBS, NPR, and over 1,500 local stations, will receive the award at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony on September 7th. Patricia harrison, CPB’s president and CEO with the longest tenure in the organization’s history, will accept the honor.
“For more than half a century, CPB has been a steadfast champion of storytelling that informs, educates, and unites us, ensuring public media remains a vital space where diverse voices are heard and communities are served,” said Television Academy President Cris Abrego in a statement.
Though, the award arrives as CPB faces imminent closure. The organization recently informed it’s employees that most positions will be eliminated at the end of the fiscal year on September 30th, with a small transition team remaining until January to finalize remaining tasks. This shutdown is anticipated to substantially impact the media landscape, particularly affecting public radio and television stations in smaller communities.
Founded in 1968, shortly after Congressional authorization, CPB’s demise follows a decision by President Donald Trump to sign a bill in July rescinding approximately $1.1 billion previously allocated for public broadcasting. the White House cited concerns about political bias and deemed public media funding an unnecessary expense.
Past recipients of the Television Academy’s Governors Award include prominent figures like Jerry Lewis, John Walsh, Bob Hope, Ted Turner, Tyler Perry, and iconic programs such as “Star Trek” and “American Idol.”