An open letter from Jason Jedlinski, WQED’s President & CEO

It has been a difficult week in our neighborhood.
  • On Wednesday, we said goodbye to a number of talented colleagues, making difficult decisions to protect WQED’s long-term financial health.
  • On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee failed to restore any funding for public media.
  • On Friday, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced it will wind down operations by September 30.
This Hits Hard.

From Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and Sesame Street to 3-2-1 Contact and Reading Rainbow, educational programming funded by CPB and distributed by PBS shaped our childhoods—teaching us essential skills and values. Listen to my conversation with Jim Cunningham about what’s at stake, or watch our State of the Station.

Make no mistake: WQED’s programming will change.
  • Already, PBS KIDS furloughed 25% of its staff. Production of new shows has largely stopped. Although we have a deep library, we’ll miss groundbreaking new programs like Carl the Collector, the first series with a lead character on the autism spectrum.
  • Already, American Experience paused production, laid off staff, and is planning reruns for 2026. We’re concerned about American Masters and Great Performances.
  • Already, the World Channel has dropped original documentaries, including its America ReFramed series, which featured WQED’s Cost of Inheritance last year. (The White House derided our examination of the reparations debate as “trash.”)
  • Season 30 of Antiques Roadshow will debut as scheduled on September 15th, and we will keep you updated as the PBS prime-time schedule evolves.

Even with a smaller staff, what I’ve said remains true: WQED is not going anywhere.

For 71 years, this institution has educated and inspired communities across western Pennsylvania. We’re determined to continue, no matter what.

  • Chris Fennimore and Nancy Polinsky Johnson return with a new cooking show at 10:00 a.m. next Sat., Aug. 9th. It repeats at noon and several other times thereafter.
  • We’ve just posted The Rick Sebak Collection—his complete catalog of documentaries—for streaming on Passport. And a new episode of Rick’s Lucky to Live in Pittsburgh debuts on television at 8:00 p.m. Thu., Sep. 4th.
  • We’ll continue live radio broadcasts from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Opera, while sharing performances from great orchestras across the globe.
  • Our Education team will host Be My Neighbor Day in Etna on Sat., Sep. 20th, with family-friendly activities, hands-on community service projects, and the opportunity to meet hometown heroes.
This is not the end of public media.

It’s the beginning of a new chapter—and WQED will lead the way. Your continued support ensures we do so with strength, purpose, and independence.

We are your WQED—and we always will be.

With gratitude and resolve,
Jason Jedlinski
President & CEO