The TV station we know as Arkansas PBS – or formerly as Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) made the decision on December 11, 2025, to end its nearly 60-year membership with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and change its name to simply Arkansas TV. Read more below about the change.

Arkansans have grown up with a television station called AETN, watching educational and entertaining programs like Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Painting with Bob Ross, Masterpiece Theatre, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and Antique Roadshow. We have also been glued to the screen to see their locally produced sports programs like AAA High School Football Championships, and Quiz Bowl. Then there’s local news, like Arkansas Week with Steve Barnes. You probably have your own list of favorite programming from them. What we’re trying to say is this programming is important, and has taught us and enriched our lives for decades.

Station CEO Carlton Wing issued a press release explaining what happens next:

For nearly 60 years, Arkansas’s only statewide public television network has worked to inform and inspire viewers like you through stories that educate and strengthen our communities.

Today, we’re excited to share an important update: We have adopted a new name — Arkansas TV — and are renewing our commitment to more local programming. Arkansas TV, formerly Arkansas PBS and AETN, reflects our focus on local storytelling, meaningful community partnerships and more opportunities to celebrate the people and places that make Arkansas extraordinary.

We’re grateful for your continued support, especially following this summer’s unexpected loss of $2.5 million in federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Your viewership and support remain essential to our mission.

Following a careful review of network financials, the Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted on December 11, 2025, to discontinue PBS membership effective July 1, 2026. This decision was based on the rising cost of annual PBS dues — nearly $2.5 million — and the need to steward limited resources responsibly to ensure a sustainable model for public television in Arkansas.

Here’s what this means for you:

• Public television in Arkansas will continue and grow! Our mission and service to the state not only remain unchanged but also expand to bring you more local programs.

• Through June 30, 2026, you will see little to no change in the broadcast schedule.

• Beginning July 1, 2026, Arkansas TV will introduce more new locally produced programs, along with local favorites from the past 60 years and a selection of some of your favorite national programs.

• PBS programs will continue to be available through other platforms. Details can be found at myarpbs.org/arkansastv.

Arkansas TV already has several new productions underway for 2026, including two children’s series, two food series, two history series and several additional projects in the initial phases of development and fundraising. All are designed to reflect the unique stories and needs of Arkansans.

We remain committed to serving Arkansas with trusted content, support for our K-12 educators and students and reliable broadcast services, including emergency communication. Thank you for being part of our community. We appreciate the opportunity to share the story of Arkansas with you every day.

Sincerely,
Carlton Wing
Executive Director & CEO, Arkansas TV

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