By Jeff Devine
Alabama Public Television (APT) will not cut ties with PBS after all. During a Tuesday morning meeting, the commission that oversees APT voted to keep its current contract with the national broadcaster — a decision that came after weeks of heated debate.
Protestors gathered outside the meeting venue as commissioners considered whether to scale back or completely end the network’s PBS partnership. Many voiced fears that removing PBS content would harm educational programming across the state.
“Education is not indoctrination, and it never will be,” said Julie Reese, vice president of the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham. “We’re here today because we decided to take a stand against what we see as a violent misuse of overreach for our children.”
Some commissioners had previously pushed to drop PBS, citing federal budget cuts, President Donald Trump’s criticism of public broadcasting, and long-standing conservative claims of bias in news programs like NPR and PBS NewsHour.
The debate intensified on Monday when Governor Kay Ivey entered the discussion, urging the board to take a measured approach. In a letter to the commission, she said she was “sympathetic” to concerns surrounding PBS but cautioned against any “sweeping, immediate action” without proper public input and due process. “For the sake of our people, it is imperative that APT’s programming align with Alabama values,” Ivey wrote, stressing that any decisions must remain “orderly” and grounded in state law.
Ivey also asked the commission to take two key steps before considering major changes: conduct a statewide survey through a reputable research firm to gauge public opinion, and draft a thorough disaffiliation plan explaining why such a move might be necessary and how APT would continue meeting its legal responsibilities. “Whether the State should or should not operate public television is a question for our Legislature,” she added. “Until the Legislature decides otherwise, it is our duty… to faithfully implement that law.”
Inside Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners debated three paths forward: cutting APT’s ties with PBS, removing select programs such as PBS NewsHour, or keeping the programming as it is.
In the end, they chose to maintain the full PBS lineup — meaning Sesame Street, Antiques Roadshow, PBS NewsHour, and other favorite programs will continue to air across Alabama.
