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Rockefeller<\/p>\nWETA in Washington, D.C., has cut 21 staff positions and canceled three TV shows as it looks to cut $4.4 million in spending for this fiscal year.<\/p>\n
CEO Sharon Rockefeller announced the downsizing in a Wednesday email to employees that was shared with Current. \u201cWETA is a strong institution with an unwavering commitment to serving this community and the nation,\u201d she wrote, \u201cbut we need to adjust the scope of our work to meet our current fiscal reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
The workforce reduction includes layoffs of 12 active workers and the elimination of nine vacant positions, representing approximately 5% of the employee roster of more than 400 staff.<\/p>\n
Rockefeller<\/p>\n
\u201cThese cuts extend the reduction in workforce we have been managing over the past year through reorganization, attrition, retirements, a conservative approach to hiring new positions, restructuring to eliminate nine senior leadership posts, and less reliance on external contract and temporary positions,\u201d Rockefeller wrote.<\/p>\n
WETA also canceled its local television shows If You Lived Here, Get Out of Town, and WETA Best Bets, and ended publication of Telly Visions, its website and podcast about British television and culture.<\/p>\n
Separately, WETA plans to reduce the circulation of its monthly print magazine, which goes to members who donate at least $35 every month. Mary Stewart, VP of external affairs, said in an interview that WETA will assess members\u2019 interest in a digital-only version. \u201cWe\u2019ll definitely send it to people who want it,\u201d she said of the print magazine.<\/p>\n
The downsizing responds to the rescission<\/a> of CPB\u2019s federal funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The corporation is winding down operations<\/a> to minimum staffing Sept. 30.<\/p>\n Rockefeller\u2019s memo said the loss of WETA\u2019s CPB Community Service Grant for FY26 has created a $6.7 million budget shortfall. For FY27 the budget projections show a shortfall of $9 million annually.<\/p>\n In FY24, WETA received about $17.5 million in federal funding, according to CPB\u2019s website. The amount represents nearly 12% of WETA\u2019s $140 million in revenues for the year, according to its annual financial report.<\/p>\n Most of the FY24 CPB funding supported WETA\u2019s television operations and programming, including an $8.6 million CSG and $8.1 million in grants for television programs. The balance went to WETA\u2019s classical radio stations and unspecified system support.<\/p>\n WETA\u2019s national production unit is one of the largest in the PBS system. It co-produces and distributes PBS News Hour and Washington Week; marquee series from Ken Burns and Henry Louis Gates Jr.; and the companion how-tos This Old House and Ask This Old House.<\/p>\n In her email, Rockefeller said the $4.4 million budget shortfall \u201cis being mitigated by the strong support of members and donors\u201d and earlier spending cuts. These include adjustments to the 403(b) retirement match in WETA\u2019s compensation package and a reduction in WETA\u2019s PBS dues.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are seeing the wider impact of the reduced funding as PBS and many public media stations have announced similar or deeper cuts to their staffing and program services,\u201d Rockefeller added. \u201cAs the full ramifications of the loss of federal funding unfold throughout the country, we will continue to assess and navigate these changes.\u201d<\/p>\n