Weeks after Congress and President Donald Trump rescinded all of its funding, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Sunday received the Television Academy’s 2025 Governors Award on the second night of two-night Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live.
The award honors an individual, company or organization “that has made a profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution to the arts and/or science of television.”
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting was specifically tabbed for its “more than five decades of service in enriching America’s media landscape through funding and support for educational, cultural and public-interest programming,” according to a statement from the Television Academy Sept. 2 announcing the award.
“The Governors Award recognizes and celebrates extraordinary contributions that transcend television and transform society,” Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego said in a statement.
“For more than half a century, CPB has been a steadfast champion of storytelling that informs, educates and unites us and ensures public media remains a vital space where diverse voices are heard and communities are served. With this award, we honor CPB’s enduring legacy and its extraordinary impact on the cultural and civic life of our nation.”
The Academy noted in its announcement that the CPB has been responsible for programs including “Sesame Street,” “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” “The MacNeil/Lehrer Report and PBS NewsHour,” “NOVA,” “Finding Your Roots,” “Reading Rainbow,” “Molly of Denali,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Frontline” and “Independent Lens.”
The Rescissions Act of 2025, signed into law by Trump July 24, rescinded funds made available to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.
On May 1, Trump signed an executive order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Board of Directors and all executive departments and agencies to cease federal funding for National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service after declaring “that neither entity presents a fair, accurate or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.”