W.Va. Public Broadcasting shows stable financials
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CHARLESTON - Despite uncertainty at the federal level, West Virginia Public Broadcasting entered the new fiscal year with stable financials but still operating under tight budgets and a hiring freeze.
The West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Commission held its quarterly meeting Wednesday at the headquarters of West Virginia Public Broadcasting in downtown Charleston.
Public Broadcasting Interim Executive Director Kathleen Brady told commission members that the state's educational broadcaster saw a $4.6 million operating loss for fiscal year 2026 ending June 30 due to decreases in state and federal appropriations. But due to $3.6 million in non-capital subsidies and $1.3 million in other nonoperating revenue, they ended the previous fiscal year $226,000 above budget.
"EBC’s net position increased by approximately $226,000 in 2026, and that compares with a decrease of $1.2 million in (fiscal year) 2025," Brady said. "Our operating activities will not cover all expenses, but the overall organization had a small increase in net position for 2026."
According to the FY2025 report, general revenue from the state budget makes up 39.9% WVPB's funding, followed by 42.3% in private donations and 17.8% in federal funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which ceased functions earlier this year following the end of federal funding.
The Educational Broadcasting Commission's line item in the fiscal year 2027 budget, which began on July 1, was $3.86 million, down slightly from $3.87 million in the previous fiscal year. WVPB received $1.7 million in federal funding in the previous fiscal year. According to Brady, a $1.2 million change in federal funding was noted as a significant factor in the year-over-year fluctuations.
The July 2025 recissions package passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump clawed back more than $1.1 billion in direct funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that was already appropriated for the federal fiscal year that ended in October. The cuts left the corporation with barely $30 million, causing it to announce in August of that year it was shutting down its operations.
While West Virginia Public Broadcasting is weathering federal funding uncertainty, it continues to operate under a hiring freeze except for positions funded through private grants and philanthropy.
Michael J. Farrell, Educational Broadcasting Commission vice chairman and chairman of the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation, said grant-funded projects totaling $424,500 are in the pre-award clearance phase. The foundation has received $400,000 of a $600,000 grant through a national funding partner. And a deal has been finalized for a substantial gift from a donor in Wheeling with a memorandum of understanding regarding how the undisclosed amount would be allocated.
"The generosity is just outstanding. That’s been, I think, the largest accomplishment," Farrell said.
Adam Harris, executive producer of "Mountain Stage," reported that the award-winning and acclaimed live music program continues to be carried by 230 NPR stations. Upcoming road shows include locations in North Carolina and Virginia, as well as a Nov. 8 show in Huntington in collaboration with the Marshall Artist Series. But in closing, Harris said he was stepping away from the program.
"I think it’s okay to put on the record that (in) July I submitted a letter to the executive committee and to Kathleen saying that I’ll be resigning my position at Mountain Stage and West Virginia Public Broadcasting at the end of the year," Harris said.
Harris succeeded founding Mountain Stage producer Andy Ridenour, who created the program in 1983 with former host Larry Groce and engineer Francis Fisher. The program is now hosted by performing artist Kathy Mattea. The show is recorded live from the West Virginia Culture Center and goes on the road occasionally.