President Trump is poised to sign the Rescission Act that, they say will “claw back” over 9-billion from two major programs: Foreign Aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In Montana, National Public Radio serves in two major areas: Montana Pubic Radio & Yellowstone Public Radio. Originating out of studios at the University of Montana and Montana State University, Public Radio reaches across our state through of network of lower power FM stations known as translators. In Montana’s most-rural areas, it is the only radio service they receive, with high-speed internet having not yet arrived to some areas.
Montana’s entire Congressional Delegation voted for the massive cuts even though they say they support Public Broadcasting. Montana Public Radio received $383,000 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, much of those costs go towards music licenses and satellite distribution of their programming to those local communities.
It should also be noted that much of the programming from Public Radio Stations originates in studios in Washington, DC and other major locales and is transmitted to Montana via satellite transmission.
The most-notable audiences for Montana Public Radio live on the state’s 7 Reservations, where it isn’t financially feasible for commercial radio stations.
The cuts to PBS Television and Public Radio will force the local entities to work harder to get local subscriptions for their services.
