Stations rely on generous donations from viewers like you, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants to cover the rest of their operating budget. Part of each station's operating budget is programming dues which it pays to PBS (and NPR) for National programming like PBS News Hour.
Commercial radio stations are run for profit and funded by advertising.
Since 1968, CPB has been the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting and the largest single source of funding for public radio, television, and related online and mobile services. CPB funding is the “public” foundation of our nation's public-private public media partnership.
The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, non-profit corporation managed by a nine-member board appointed by the President and approved by the Senate to funnel government support to public stations and producers nationwide.
CPB is a private nonprofit corporation that is fully funded by the federal government. Less than 5% is allocated to administrative costs – an exceptionally low overhead rate compared with other nonprofits.
Three main models have been adopted in its place: a state grant system, a ring-fenced income tax, and a premises levy—nowhere has chosen to fund PSBs solely by subscription or advertising.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) provides funding to all public broadcasting, including THIRTEEN as well as nearly 1,500 locally owned and operated PBS and NPR stations across the country. CPB was created by Congress in 1967 to be the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting.
Additionally, CPB, PBS, and NPR are independent of each other and of local public television and radio stations. CPB strives to support programs and services that inform, educate, and enrich the public.
CPB is a private nonprofit corporation that is fully funded by the federal government. Less than 5% is allocated to administrative costs – an exceptionally low overhead rate compared with other nonprofits.