PBS weekend newscasts shut down due to funding cuts, replaced by single-topic programs
NBC News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- PBS has canceled its weekend newscasts, "PBS News Weekend," due to a $1.1 billion federal funding cut to public broadcasting, with the final broadcast airing Sunday.
- In place of weekend news, PBS will launch two pre-recorded programs: "Horizons" on science and technology airing Saturdays, and "Compass Points" on foreign affairs airing Sundays, both designed to reduce weekend staffing costs.
- The funding cuts stem from a Republican-led Congress decision influenced by President Donald Trump's criticism of perceived conservative bias in public broadcasting.
- Despite these changes, PBS maintains that its weekday "NewsHour" program is not at risk, noting increased digital engagement via platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
- The weekend newscast averaged 827
