The public media system is entering a new chapter—one defined not by uncertainty, but by collaboration, clarity, and shared purpose. On November 17, CPB and NPR reached a settlement that allows both organizations to move forward with confidence. NPR will continue to lead the Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS)—with no interconnection fees for stations—while Public Media Infrastructure (PMI) moves ahead to build the modern, accessible digital infrastructure the system urgently needs.
This outcome strengthens the entire field. It preserves essential broadcast continuity through PRSS, supports NPR in its core distribution role, and clears the way for PMI to focus on innovation, equity, and the tools stations will rely on for decades to come.
Why PMI Formed: Preparing the System for a Post-CPB Environment
PMI emerged during a period of profound change. As CPB entered its wind-down period for FY 2026–2027, station leaders across the system began asking hard questions about continuity, sustainability, and modernization:
How do we safeguard public media infrastructure in a future with reduced federal support?
What digital tools do stations need to stay relevant and resilient?
How do we ensure that all stations—not just the largest—can adapt to a rapidly changing media environment?
In response, a coalition of station-centered organizations—APMG, NFCB, NYPR, PRX, and SRG—came together to form Public Media Infrastructure. Their shared concern was simple: without coordinated modernization and equitable access to infrastructure, the system risked deepening disparities and losing its ability to serve audiences effectively.
From the outset, PMI was designed to complement, not compete with, NPR’s essential role. PRSS remains the backbone of national radio distribution, while PMI focuses on the systems that will define the next era—digital delivery, analytics, interoperability, monetization tools, and shared services.
A Collaborative Path Forward: NPR Leads PRSS, PMI Builds Digital Systems
With the settlement reached, each partner can now lean fully into its strengths. NPR continues to operate PRSS, ensuring the reliability and reach stations depend on. There will be no interconnection fees—a major relief for stations of all sizes. PMI (Public Media Infrastructure) moves forward with its CPB-awarded grant to build the modern digital infrastructure the system urgently needs.
This creates a balanced, cooperative ecosystem in which PRSS and PMI serve complementary roles—broadcast stability today, and digital transformation for tomorrow.
As Bill Davis, Principal at the Station Resource Group and PMI founding member, noted: “PMI’s focus is on innovation, collaboration, and transparency—building a distribution system shaped by stations, responsive to local community needs, and designed to serve the entire public media community for years to come.”
What PMI Will Build—With Stations at the Center
PMI’s mission is to ensure public media thrives in an era of radical technological change. Its work will focus on:
- Modern digital content delivery designed for multiplatform audiences
- Advanced analytics tools to help stations understand reach, engagement, and need
- Shared monetization and sponsorship systems that reduce duplication
- Interoperable, cost-efficient technology accessible to stations of all sizes
- Equitable access to services (above) for small, rural, Tribal, and community licensees
- Strengthened resilience so stations can continue providing emergency information, cultural programming, and local news
At every stage, PMI’s guiding principles—station governance, transparency, equity, fiscal stewardship, and public service—ensure that stations steer the system’s evolution.
NFCB’s Role: Championing Inclusion for Small and Rural Stations
As a founding member of PMI, NFCB brings essential perspectives from the country’s most underserved and overlooked markets. Hundreds of small, rural, and volunteer-powered stations operate with limited staff and resources, yet they serve some of the most information-vulnerable communities in the nation.
NFCB CEO Rima Dael underscores this commitment: “PMI is deeply committed to inclusion across public radio. NFCB will work with all partners in the system to ensure that small and rural stations receive the assistance they need to strengthen their technical capacity and participate fully in this new phase of distribution. When smaller stations succeed, the entire system grows stronger.”
Leadership & What Comes Next
PMI has appointed Bob Kempf as Interim Executive Director, bringing decades of digital leadership experience from NPR, GBH, The Boston Globe, and Dow Jones Local Media Group. A nationwide introductory webinar is planned for December to outline next steps and invite engagement from stations across the system.
A Shared Path Toward a Stronger Future
Public media thrives when we focus on what connects us. At its heart, our system is a collaborative endeavor—rooted in local service, public trust, and shared purpose. As PMI moves forward with stations, NPR, PRSS, and national partners, we have a unique opportunity to build modern infrastructure that strengthens local service everywhere and ensures public media remains resilient for generations to come. PMI’s forward-looking work reflects that commitment, creating the tools and systems that help every station—and every audience—thrive. By working together across organizations and communities, we can build a stronger, more inclusive public media system ready for the future.
