KQED’s cuts come amid federal threats to public media funding. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on a measure this week that would withdraw $1.1 billion in funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which funds PBS, NPR, and 1,500 local stations nationwide. The House has already approved the measure.
“Uncertainties still remain around federal funding, and we must remain vigilant and ready to act should unanticipated scenarios arise. But for now, we have stabilized our financial position,” Isip said in an internal email he sent to staff Tuesday, obtained by The Standard.
The nonprofit public broadcaster — which operates San Francisco’s PBS and NPR TV stations, as well as radio and podcasts — will also suspend its 403(b) retirement employer match and will pause salary increases starting Oct. 1. The measures, expected to remain in place until October 2026, and other cost savings are projected to save about $13 million annually, according to the email.