Hollywood Stars Unite to Save PBS After Federal Funding Cuts
In a star-studded show of support, PBS SoCal is hosting “Save Public TV: A Night for PBS,” a high-profile telethon featuring Grammy winner Josh Groban, Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, and other A-list celebrities. The event responds to former President Donald Trump’s elimination of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports PBS and NPR. The telethon aims to raise critical funds and awareness for public television, a cornerstone of educational and cultural programming in the U.S.
Why Public TV Is at Risk
Public broadcasting has relied on federal grants, corporate sponsorships, and viewer donations for decades. However, the Trump administration’s decision to zero out CPB funding threatened PBS’s ability to deliver ad-free, high-quality content—from Sesame Street to Frontline.
“Public television is a lifeline for communities, especially in rural and underserved areas,” said PBS SoCal CEO Andrew Russell. “We’re fighting back with help from the entertainment industry.”
Celebrities Stepping Up for PBS
The telethon, airing live on PBS SoCal and streaming nationwide, will feature performances and heartfelt appeals from:
- Josh Groban – Performing an acoustic set and sharing how PBS shaped his love of music.
- Jamie Lee Curtis – Hosting segments on PBS’s cultural impact.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson – Advocating for science education.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda – Supporting arts programming in a pre-recorded message.
- LeVar Burton – Highlighting PBS’s role in childhood literacy.
“PBS is a national treasure we can’t afford to lose,” Groban said.
How to Support Public TV
“Save Public TV: A Night for PBS” airs June 15 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on PBS SoCal and streaming platforms. Viewers can donate via phone, text, or online, with incentives like signed memorabilia and VIP experiences.
“In an era of misinformation, PBS’s commitment to truth is vital,” Curtis emphasized.
Will you join the fight to save public television?
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