Congress approves 75 million in Emergency Funding for Public Media
WPSU Board members:
Earlier today (Friday, 3/27) the House passed the third COVID-19 response package – including $75 million in emergency assistance for public broadcasting – by a voice vote. The Senate approved the legislation by a vote of 96-0 Wednesday night. The President is expected to sign the legislation into law very soon.
This emergency funding for public media will help address the economic losses stations are already experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the costs of the enhanced educational services which stations are continuing to roll out to support at home learning in their states and communities.
APTS President and CEO Patrick Butler said, “While even $75 million only begins to address these unprecedented needs while private revenues are plummeting, we are grateful for the broad support for this emergency funding for public media among both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate.” Read the full press release on the APTS website.
Once the law is enacted, CPB will be in touch with the system regarding how this funding will be distributed. Please let us know if you have any questions, and we will keep you posted as more details become available.
This is not direct funding to WPSU or any of the 170 licensees operating more than 350 public television stations across America and serving more than 98 percent of the American people at least not yet.
More to come on how this may impact WPSU as soon as we know. Still good news!