Defunded, but not defeated

 
For the first time in 60 years, Congress has not only refused to fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), but it also clawed back $1.1 billion in previously approved funds. These dollars are crucial for maintaining programming for PBS and NPR stations and life-saving emergency alert systems across the country.

CPB is scheduled to close its doors by January 2026, and some PBS and NPR affiliate stations have begun laying off staff due to these devastating funding cuts. Last month, Penn State University became the first university affiliate to announce the impending closure of its public broadcasting station. It is because of donors like you that it hasn’t come to that at your local public media broadcasting centers. However, that doesn’t mean we won’t feel the impact of the cuts.

Delta College Public Media has lost about $1 million in federal funding that came to us annually through CPB. There is no replacement for that level of federal grant support, but we encourage each of our viewers and listeners to consider increasing their contributions. Also, Delta College was thrilled to have been selected to receive $976,000 in FEMA grant dollars to upgrade our transmitter and early alert equipment. This is the first line of defense to deliver early warnings to your loved ones and neighbors. This grant has been paused, with a threat of cancellation, over the past six months, which has caused a heavy hit to the project’s progress.

Delta College Public Media has been integral to our region and has grown exponentially with your support. From 15 hours a week of broadcasting to 30,000 homes in 1964 to 24/7 broadcasting to 1.4 million viewers and listeners today. You, your children and even your grandchildren have grown up watching commercial-free, educational shows from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and Reading Rainbow to Sesame Street and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. 

Fred Rogers believed all children deserve access to a “neighborhood expression of care.” PBS is one of the few remaining safe and caring spaces where children can learn about themselves and others. While playing games on pbskids.org, they will not be met with harmful ads. While satisfying curiosities with Sid the Science Kid, they will not be bombarded with TV commercials attempting to sell them things. The only aim of PBS Kids is to provide adventure, fun and friendship for your little learners.

You can help ensure our stations continue to provide trusted sources for news and entertainment through our five TV channels, radio broadcasts, digital offerings and classroom outreach to the Great Lakes Bay Region and the rural Thumb area. 

With your support, we will continue to provide unfettered access to thousands of free educational resources, for budget-restricted teachers, parents and home schoolers. With your support, we will continue encouraging local journalism and providing locally produced, award-winning documentaries covering our region’s storied history, such as Vanishing Voices of WWII and Sawdust & Shanty Boys. 

Even a small monthly gift will make an immediate impact, as it will let us know we can count on your support now and into the future. Set up your recurring monthly gift or one-time donation through our secure giving form at deltapublicmedia.org/donate.

Thoughts from our community

Public media, like museums, libraries and performance venues, are a community's assets, supporting quality of life. I think it would be one of the worst things that could happen to this country if public broadcasting were to fail. One thing we can do is support Delta Public Media so they can continue their invaluable role of making our lives better through network programming and local programs of relevance and significance. Realize that this crisis is not short, but long term. We cannot permit this treasure of over a half century to disappear. It is not a time for complaining, it is a time for stepping up and contributing—as much as you possibly can."

Andy Rapp
Former executive producer and host
Former associate professor of broadcasting, Delta College

The defunding of public broadcasting is a sad turn of events. Public broadcasting is a trusted source of quality programs reaching millions of children and adults. The media landscape is wider than ever. For me, that makes PBS/NPR more important than ever because their work is so well researched. Children’s shows produced by educators; science programs made by people grounded in scientific fact. Affiliate stations, like Delta College Public Media, are locally owned. They are independently owned at the local level as a non-profit community service. You can’t get more American than that."

Scott Seeburger
Former commercial radio station owner 
Former Dow Corning spokesperson

Delta College is a leader among community colleges nationwide. One of the most striking examples of that leadership is its 61-year dedication to bringing public TV and public radio into all residents’ homes in the Great Lakes Bay Region. It is that commitment to community service—for ALL citizens, young and old—that is a hallmark of what we do every day at Delta College. Whether in the classroom or in the living room, we offer the highest quality educational experience possible. As I travel around the country, I know what we do here in Mid-Michigan is extraordinarily unique, and we hope it continues to be worthy of your support. We are committed to continuing WDCQ-TV and WUCX-FM’s quality services for all!"

Dr. Mike Gavin
President, Delta College

Delta College has impacted thousands of residents in our region by offering a fantastic array of courses that lead to great jobs. But equally as extraordinary is the college’s commitment to its public TV and public radio stations. I hear from so many people in the community how much they enjoy and depend upon our programming. We know that PBS children’s programming teaches reading, math and science for the youngest among us. It is a key reason that 87% of Americans say that public TV is an excellent value to our communities. It is a service that we will continue, as long as we have the community’s support."

Stacey Gannon
Chair, Delta College Board of Trustees

More times than I can count over my 22 years working here, people have told me just how much they enjoy PBS and NPR and how it is an integral part of their daily lives, as they drive into work listening to 90.1 or tune into their favorite PBS programs at home."

Robert Przybylski
Producer/director at Delta College Public Media

Being a part of public media’s overall mission has been inspiring. As a Delta College alum, it makes it feel like home. We say it all the time, but ‘Thank you to our listeners and supporters.’ They contribute to, and literally fund, what we play over the air. Without them, there would be no radio."

Mark Grzegorczyk
FM content producer