Grant will support distribution for station-produced programs
Washington, D.C. (January 12, 2026) — As the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) concludes its grantmaking, the organization today announced a $2.9 million grant to American Public Television (APT) to a new initiative designed to help local public television stations complete, distribute, and promote locally produced content for national audiences.
Through the project, APT will create a dedicated fund to provide finishing funds and editorial support for station-produced programs with strong potential for broader distribution. The initiative will ensure that locally-rooted stories—often constrained by financial and distribution barriers—can reach viewers nationwide through broadcast via APT’s Exchange service, one of the largest sources of programming available to public television stations, as well as through streaming and social media platforms.
“As some of the last locally owned and operated media organizations in their communities, public television stations are uniquely positioned to tell authentic stories.” said Kathryn Washington, Senior Vice President of Television Content. “By investing in locally produced stories and helping them reach national audiences, CPB is building on the foundational connections that stations have with their communities and ensuring that unique and distinct regional stories are shared across the country.”
Founded in 1961, APT is the longest-running and second-largest distributor of programming to public television stations. Through CPB support, APT will develop an innovative partnership model that brings together stations with proven production capacity, many of which have not historically collaborated on national programming, to expand opportunities for system-produced content.
“This new grant builds on APT’s founding mission, the exchange of locally produced programs, while addressing today’s realities by helping stations overcome the final barriers to national distribution.” said Jim Dunford, President and CEO of APT. “APT is committed to the success of station producers and content creators by offering them the support and professional growth opportunities they need to complete their projects and distribute them broadly to reach a wider range of audiences.”
With CPB support, APT anticipates funding at least 35 projects over a three-year period, helping to sustain a pipeline of content at a time when many stations face budget pressures and staffing reductions. The initiative will also provide professional guidance to stations with limited production or distribution capacity.
About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967. It has helped support the operations of more than 1,500 locally managed and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is the largest single source of funding for public radio, television, and related online and mobile services. With the rescission of federal funds for FY 2026 and FY 2027, CPB is in the process of winding down operations. For more information, visit www.cpb.org and follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn.
About American Public Television
American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s more than 350 public television stations. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and nearly one-half of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. APT’s diverse catalog includes prominent documentaries, performance, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service and distributes Create®TV — featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming — and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. More information at APTonline.org