KWSU-TV: Pullman PBS Station to Cease Operations After 63 Years

After 63 years on the air, KWSU-TV, the public television station operated by Washington State University and Northwest Public Broadcasting, will cease operations on December 31, 2025. This tough decision comes down to significant budget cuts and a huge loss in federal funding.

TL;DR

KWSU-TV Pullman will stop broadcasting at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025, due to budget shortfalls and federal funding cuts.
The closure is part of a $1.8 million annual cost reduction for Northwest Public Broadcasting and WSU's Murrow College of Communication.
While KWSU-TV and the Create channel are going dark, NWPB's radio network and KTNW-TV in the Tri-Cities will continue to operate, and PBS Passport access remains for donors.

A Bittersweet Farewell to a Long-Standing Educational Broadcaster

Your Favorite Pullman PBS Station, KWSU-TV, is Signing Off image 3

Get ready to mark your calendars, because a familiar face on the Washington airwaves is preparing for its final bow. Kwsu-tv Channel 10 in Pullman, a public television station that has served the Palouse region and parts of Spokane for over six decades, is officially shutting down. The lights go out for good at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025.

This isn't just any station; KWSU-TV, jointly run by Washington State University's (WSU) Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and Northwest Public Broadcasting (NWPB), was one of the earliest educational TV stations in the entire Northwest. Founded 63 years ago in 1962, it joined the PBS family in 1970, becoming a go-to for many rural viewers to access quality programming from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

Understanding the Financial Challenges Leading to the Closure

Your Favorite Pullman PBS Station, KWSU-TV, is Signing Off image 4

So, why is this happening now? The reasons are a mix of long-term financial struggles and a significant recent blow to funding. NWPB has been aiming to cut its annual operating costs by $1.8 million, and unfortunately, discontinuing KWSU-TV is a major part of that plan.

According to Dean Bruce Pinkleton of WSU's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, "Journalism is an expensive operation." He highlighted that NWPB made "forward-looking investments" in recent years to adapt to the digital age and reach new online audiences. However, these investments didn't generate the expected returns, leading to a net position decrease of $1.6 million in fiscal year 2023 and another $1.7 million in fiscal year 2024.

The biggest hit, though, came earlier this year when the U.S. Congress rescinded over $1 billion in previously approved funding for public broadcasting nationwide. For NWPB, this translated to a nearly $2 million cut in annual federal funding, roughly 20% of its budget, including $1.2 million in direct operational support from CPB's Community Service Grant. This left a huge gap that couldn't be filled, even with a commendable surge in local donor support.

What This Means for Viewers in the Palouse and Beyond

Your Favorite Pullman PBS Station, KWSU-TV, is Signing Off image 5

If you're a regular KWSU-TV viewer, you're probably wondering what this means for your favorite shows. Here's the good news: most Washington viewers, especially those who can access KSPS in Spokane, won't lose access to PBS programming entirely. KWSU-TV was considered a "secondary provider," meaning it had smaller audiences and less opportunity to air top-tier PBS shows compared to primary stations.

Palouse/Spokane Area: You can still catch PBS content from other regional stations like KSPS PBS in Spokane and Idaho Public Television (KUID-TV in Moscow).
Tri-Cities Area: Great news here! NWPB's KTNW-TV in Richland will continue broadcasting without interruption, providing public television programming to that region.
PBS Passport Members: If you're an NWPB donor with an active PBS Passport streaming service membership ($5/month or $60/year), you'll keep your access! Your benefit will continue through KTNW.
Other Channels: Sadly, the "Create" channel, another NWPB service, will also be discontinued on December 31st.

The Unseen Impact: What About the Dedicated Staff?

Your Favorite Pullman PBS Station, KWSU-TV, is Signing Off image 6

A station closure isn't just about programming; it also impacts the people behind the scenes. The budget cuts will "likely lead to employee reductions," according to Dean Pinkleton. This is a particularly sensitive issue because KWSU reporters and content creators recently voted to unionize with SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).

“During this difficult time, we wish to thank all of our colleagues for their dedication, hard work, and the impactful contributions they have made to Northwest Public Broadcasting.”

— Bruce Pinkleton, Dean of WSU's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication

Pinkleton noted that WSU is committed to navigating this process legally and transparently with the union, though he couldn't specify the number of jobs that would be affected at this time. It's a challenging period for everyone involved, highlighting the human cost of these financial decisions.

A Broader Picture: Challenges for Local Journalism

The shutdown of KWSU-TV isn't an isolated incident. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) weighed in, expressing concern about the trend. She pointed out that KWSU's closure follows 17 layoffs at Cascade PBS in Seattle, which shut down earlier this October. Overall, more than 400 journalists and support staff have been laid off from public media organizations nationwide due to federal funding cuts.

“At a time when we need more local journalism, now is not the time for short-sighted funding cuts that mean Washingtonians are going to lose vital sources of news and emergency information like KWSU-TV and at Cascade PBS.”

— U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell

This situation underscores a critical challenge facing local journalism across the country, particularly in public media, which often serves communities that commercial outlets overlook.

Looking Ahead: NWPB's Future Without Federal TV Funding

Despite the closure of KWSU-TV, Northwest Public Broadcasting isn't going completely dark. Its extensive radio operations, which reach an impressive 3.6 million listeners in 44 Washington counties and cover 80% of the state's landmass, will continue to operate without impact.

WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell and WSU Regent Enrique Cerna emphasized that the generous support from members, donors, and community partners following the initial funding cut provided the necessary time to create a sustainable plan. This plan aims for NWPB to have a balanced budget by fiscal year 2029, even without federal funding for its TV services.

Dean Pinkleton mentioned that the WSU Board of Regents will eventually vote on decisions regarding the sale of KWSU's equipment and license, as these assets still hold value. While the federal funding outlook remains "grim" and a return to previous levels isn't expected, WSU is committed to finding new ways to deliver programming as part of its land-grant mission.

This commitment highlights the enduring importance of public broadcasting, especially for rural communities that rely on it for news, information, and cultural enrichment. While KWSU-TV's departure is a sad moment, the hope is that NWPB's remaining services, bolstered by community support, will continue to thrive and serve Washingtonians well into the future.

Frequently Asked Questions About the KWSU-TV Closure

When exactly will KWSU-TV stop broadcasting?

KWSU-TV Pullman is scheduled to end its broadcast operations at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025. You'll likely see on-air notices leading up to the final shutdown.

Will I still be able to watch PBS programming in the Pullman area?

Yes, absolutely! While KWSU-TV is closing, residents in the Palouse and Spokane areas can still access PBS programming through other regional public television stations like KSPS PBS (Spokane) and Idaho Public Television (KUID-TV in Moscow).

What happens to my NWPB PBS Passport streaming membership?

Good news for donors! If you have an active NWPB PBS Passport membership (a donation of $5/month or $60/year), your streaming service will remain active. Your benefits will now be tied to NWPB's KTNW-TV in the Tri-Cities, which is not affected by these changes. If you have any trouble, you can call 1-800-842-8991 or email [email protected] for assistance.

Are other Northwest Public Broadcasting services affected?

NWPB's extensive radio network, which serves many rural areas across Washington state, will continue broadcasting without interruption. Additionally, NWPB's KTNW-TV station in the Tri-Cities will also continue to operate fully. The "Create" channel, however, will also be discontinued on December 31, 2025.

Sources