Arkansas TV, formerly Arkansas PBS, is cutting and moving PBS news programming to make room for homegrown shows filmed in Arkansas, once again pulling the old switcheroo on folks who hoped their generous donations would prevent this very thing from happening.
Last December, the Arkansas PBS Board of Commissioners — consisting of mostly Gov. Sarah Sanders’ appointees and helmed by Carlton Wing, a former Republican state representative who resigned to take the CEO position at Arkansas PBS — voted to cut ties with the national Public Broadcasting Service and change its name to Arkansas TV, with officials stating that the cost of PBS’ partnership with Arkansas was too high to continue. National programming would be phased out in favor of locally produced content.
The unprecedented decision — Arkansas is the first and, so far, only state to forgo PBS programming — blindsided supporters of Arkansas PBS and caused a public outcry. Former Arkansas first ladies Gay White, a Republican, and Barbara Pryor, a Democrat, quickly started the nonprofit Friends of Arkansas PBS, galvanizing support and raising donations to cover the funding shortfall Arkansas TV was allegedly facing.
Against all odds, the fired-up vintage ladies, with the help of donations from residents in all 75 Arkansas counties and some heavy hitters including the Walton Family Foundation, the Tyson Family Foundation, the Schueck Family Foundation and a large anonymous donor, put up $2.1 million over the next three years on the condition that Arkansas TV keep PBS on the air. On June 4, the Arkansas TV Commission relented, voting to accept the funds and rolling back its decision to dump PBS outright. Supporters rejoiced, and it appeared that the can had been kicked down the road for at least a year or two, during which time PBS programming would remain on Arkansas airwaves.
If this six-month saga were a Peanuts cartoon, now comes the panel where Lucy once again pulls the football away from Charlie Brown. On Tuesday, Wing told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that Arkansas TV is cutting the long-running news program “Washington Week with The Atlantic” from its lineup and moving “PBS News Hour” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Early morning PBS reruns will also be cut and replaced with Arkansas-made programming.
While those programs will still be available for free on demand on the PBS app and Arkansas TV’s WORLD channel, the move has embattled PBS supporters once again clambering to react, while Republicans continue to maneuver the levers of power. When will Arkansas progressives learn to stop taking Republicans at their word?
Pryor, who helped lead the fundraising effort to keep PBS programming in Arkansas, told the Democrat-Gazette she was “shocked” and “mad as a wet hen” about the shake up in Arkansas TV’s lineup.
“I was really shocked about it. I thought when we secured PBS dues, that that was it. I didn’t realize they would try to cherry-pick what people watched. It never occurred to me that they would move one of the most-watched programs, PBS News Hour. Time and time again people would tell us that that was their favorite show and a ritual at night,” Pryor told the Democrat-Gazette.
Arkansas TV announced a new slate of locally produced programs premiering in July via press release Tuesday, though the release did not mention that “Washington Week” is getting the ax and “PBS News Hour” is moving to late at night.
A spokesperson for Arkansas TV did not immediately return a voicemail, and our attempts to reach Wing for comment were unsuccessful.
Here’s a list of the new programming:
“Naturally Wild with Steve ‘Wild Man’ Wilson” premieres Thursday, July 2, at 6 p.m.
Join lifelong Arkansas outdoor enthusiast and conservationist, Steve “Wild Man” Wilson, as he uncovers all the beauty, fun and adventure The Natural State has to offer. Each week, “Wild Man” talks with Arkansas outdoor experts to discuss everything from sportsmanship, wildlife, outdoor cooking and more.
“Arkansas Wildlife Podcast” presented by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission premieres Thursday, July 2, at 6:30 p.m.
Join host and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission representative, Trey Reid, on his podcast to take a weekly, in-depth and up-to-date look into how Game and Fish manages and conserves The Natural State’s fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as the rules, regulations and opportunities the Commission offers from the Ozarks to the Delta. Arkansas TV is a distribution partner for “Arkansas Wildlife Podcast” presented by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
“Living History” premieres Thursday, July 2, at 7 p.m.
This program preserves the stories of Arkansans who have shaped the state. Through personal interviews, archival footage and intimate settings, we celebrate their achievements, challenges and the legacies that continue to inspire future generations. The first episode features former Gov. Asa Hutchinson as he talks about his career highlights, family life and what he’s doing now.
“Arkansas Week” expands to an hour, starting Friday, July 3, at 6 p.m.
“Arkansas Week” is a weekly public affairs and news analysis program that features newsmakers, experts and political pundits on issues relevant to Arkansans. The program, which will expand from 30 minutes to one hour, starting July 3, provides in-depth conversations about politics, education, the economy, health and much more. “Arkansas Week” premieres each Friday and repeats on Saturday, Sundays and Mondays.
“A Braver Arkansas” premieres Tuesday, July 7, at 6 p.m.
This program encourages healthy dialogue between people with differing political and social viewpoints. Hosted by Dr. Glen White and Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter of Braver Angels Arkansas, the program models respectful communication in one-on-one and group settings and equips citizens with life skills to help them find common ground.
“Arkansas Taste Kitchen” premieres Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m.
Created in partnership with the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, “Arkansas Taste Kitchen” features beloved media personality and host Craig O’Neill alongside local Master Chef and Instructor Dr. Robert Hall and UAMS Culinary Medicine nutrition expert Alyssa Frisby, who demonstrate that meals can be affordable, healthy and delicious no matter the budget or level of cooking experience.
“Arkansas Talks Health” premieres Wednesday, July 15, at 6 p.m.
“Arkansas Talks Health” is a series of human-centered conversations on aging, cancer, research and innovation, opioid crisis and pain management and diabetes and cardiometabolic health in Arkansas. The program brings experts and community voices together to translate complex health topics into clear, trusted guidance that supports prevention, understanding and better health decisions.
“Blueberry’s Clubhouse” Season 5 premieres Sunday, July 26, at 5 p.m.
The new season, produced in partnership with the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA), at Camp Onomatopoeia builds on the warmth, creativity, and educational purpose that make “Blueberry’s Clubhouse” a favorite among families and educators. Designed for first graders, advanced kindergarteners and second graders who benefit from extra practice, “Blueberry’s Clubhouse” supports literacy instruction aligned with Arkansas standards and reflects evidence-based practices from the Science of Reading.
