More Cuts At WETA-TV

WETA has announced it’s shutting down PBS News Weekend and cutting 34 jobs due to a growing budget crisis driven by the loss of major federal funding. The cuts span technical, editorial, administrative, and corporate roles, and follow 21 layoffs in September, more than an 11% workforce reduction this fall.

WETA stresses that the weekday PBS NewsHour and Washington Week with The Atlantic are not affected, but the final edition of PBS News Weekend will air January 11, with host John Yang shifting to the weekday team.

CEO Sharon Rockefeller told staff the loss of WETA’s CPB Community Service Grant and shrinking federal support created a $6.7 million shortfall for FY26 and a projected $9 million gap for FY27. WETA received roughly $17.5 million in federal money last year, nearly 12% of its revenue, and Rockefeller says individual giving, while strong, can’t fill the hole. More from Current.