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Congressional funding cuts result in major KUAC programming changes

KUAC TV/FM will reduce service and make significant programming changes as a result of the loss of $1.2 million in federal funding, or more than one-third of the station’s overall annual budget. The changes will take effect on Sept. 8, 2025. 

The funding reduction is a direct result of the federal Rescissions Act of 2025, passed by Congress in July. The legislation eliminated previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which for decades has distributed federal support to public media outlets across the United States, including KUAC.

To begin to manage the shortfall, KUAC will implement its first phase of cost-saving measures:

Overnight broadcast elimination

KUAC TV/FM will shut down its over-the-air transmitters nightly. For radio, the transmitter will be powered down from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday. For television, the transmitter will be powered down from midnight to 6 a.m. in an effort to save on electricity costs. This means both stations will be “off” during those times and no programming will be available over the airwaves. The change will impact viewers and listeners in the Tanana Valley, as well as translator communities Delta Junction and Healy. Satellite-fed services in Nome, Tok, Eagle and Bettles will not be affected.

Internet livestreams of KUAC TV 9.1 and 89.9 FM will remain available 24 hours a day.

Elimination of TV channels

KUAC TV channels 9.2 (World) and 9.3 (Create) will be eliminated.

FM radio programming cuts

KUAC FM will no longer carry several programs distributed by Public Radio Exchange, including “This American Life,” “Live Wire” and “Snap Judgment,” and will replace these programs with free or already-available programming from American Public Media and NPR. Several additional changes to the schedule will be made to ensure locally produced content can be heard in its entirety.

Service reduction in Nenana

In addition to the loss of federal funding, the City of Nenana decided to discontinue its support of service to the area. As a result, KUAC TV will no longer be available via broadcast in Nenana. KUAC FM will still be heard via the main transmitter in Fairbanks.

In addition to the reduction in services and programming changes, KUAC will not fill several vacant staff positions and is working to reduce the cost of the remaining programming. These measures will address only half of the $1.2 million shortfall. KUAC leaders will work with the station’s advisory council and the KUAC Friends Group on plans to make additional cuts.

“Our budget was created in the spring, long before the rescissions package was passed into law, and was based on CPB funding being available,” said Gretchen Gordon, KUAC general manager. “We are taking necessary steps to ensure KUAC remains on the air and continues to provide essential services to our community during this time without federal support.”

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KUAC is a public broadcasting service based in Fairbanks, Alaska, providing television and radio programming to Interior Alaska and beyond. Since its founding in 1962, KUAC has delivered trusted news, educational content, and cultural programming as part of its mission to inform, inspire, and connect the communities it serves.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Visit at .

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Marmian Grimes, 907-474-7902, mlgrimes@alaska.edu