NJ PBS to shutter in 2026 after ‘very significant’ public funding cuts

New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority said Friday that New Jersey Public Broadcasting Network, NJ PBS, will shut down in 2026 after what it called 'very significant' public funding cuts from both the federal government and the state. The Newark-based station, which has been run by WNET for 14 years, will cease operations on June 30, 2026, after the current management agreement expires.

WNET said it had been unable to reach an agreement with the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority to extend its management of NJ PBS beyond the June 30, 2026 deadline, effectively ending the contract unless a new operator can be found. NJ Spotlight News, the nightly local news program, will move to THIRTEEN, the other PBS station licensed to New Jersey, though THIRTEEN focuses on the New York City area. New Jersey residents can continue to access PBS programming online or through THIRTEEN.

The funding situation reflects broader federal and state pressure on public media. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump’s administration announced a roughly $500 million reduction in nationwide public broadcasting funding, affecting about 330 PBS stations and 246 NPR affiliates. In August, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting said it would shut down due to the funding cuts. In New Jersey, Gov. Philip Murphy signed a spending plan this summer that reduced NJ PBS funding to $250,000, down from $1 million the year before; Murphy’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Scott Kobler, chairman of NJ PBS, wrote in an op-ed that he was disappointed the contract talks failed and blamed the state for the impasse. He said that the state’s stance, alongside federal funding reductions and new media challenges, likely influenced WNET’s decision to protect its core enterprise while still supporting public media in New Jersey. Booker called the closure a loss for all New Jerseyans, praising NJ PBS’s coverage of local issues.

The state’s decision to reduce funding comes as New Jersey experiences a broader collapse of local news outlets. The Star-Ledger ceased print publication in February, joining a trend that includes The Times of Trenton, The South Jersey Times, and The Hunterdon County Democrat shifting to online or closing; The Jersey Journal also suspended operations that month.

Looking ahead, WNET said it remains committed to supporting New Jersey through the transition and would explore opportunities with New Jersey-based institutions interested in operating a public television network if a viable path emerges. NJ PBS will continue operations through June 30, 2026, but if a new operator is found, the station could potentially remain on air under new regional leadership. Meanwhile, residents can continue to access PBS programming through THIRTEEN and online platforms.