What is next for New Jersey PBS after nearly 60 years on television

The New Jersey state Legislature established the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority (NJPB) in 1968 to create a statewide public television system. For over 50 years, Public Television has been serving the state through four different stations distributing the NJ PBS programming.

The New Jersey Network (NJN) operated the four stations as part of the PBS network from 1971 to 2011. When NJN ceased operations, the NJ PBS network was operated by the non-profit corporation Public Media NJ, Inc.

But funding cuts by the state over the last 15 years, along with recent federal cuts, have forced one of the staples of New Jersey Broadcasting history to announce they will cease operations next year.

What is happening with NJ PBS in 2026?

Since New Jersey Governor Chris Christie ended state funding for public television in 2011, the WNET Group has been operating the non-profit NJ PBS stations thanks to public donations and a portion of federal funding.

In 2025, the United State Government announced they were cutting $500 million in funding for National Public Radio (NPR), PBS, and other Public Programming Media Outlets. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting will cease operations in 2026, which means the beginning of the end of Public Media on Television and Radio.

The WNET Group has announced that they are unable to find common ground with the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority, and there was no agreement reached to extend broadcasting NJ PBS on Terrestrial television beyond June 30, 2026. All programming will be available at njpbs.org along with digital media and select streaming platforms.

"WNET will continue to operate NJ PBS, its newsroom, and produce its nightly newscast, NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi, which will remain available on NJ PBS, (New York City Channel 13), and digital platforms," per a public statement from NJ PBS and their network of stations.

“After the current contract ends, WNET will continue producing and airing the daily New Jersey newscast on THIRTEEN and its digital platforms. At the same time, WNET is committed to supporting the state through this transition and looks forward to collaborating with New Jersey–based institutions interested in operating a public television network.”

According to Oxford’s Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ) and the Pew Research Center, more Americans are getting their news and information from Digital Media than traditional media in today's world. One could argue that it is in the best interest of WNET, NJ PBS, and traditional Public Networks to commit their resources to the digital space rather than keep trying to spend money on terrestrial media.

In 2024, 86 percent of United States adults say they are getting their news from digital devices and 58 percent state they prefer getting their news from digital media over traditional forms of media. Only older adults (65 years or old) prefer getting their news from television compared to digital media.

I remember growing up as a kid watching shows on NJN and PBS such as Sesame Street, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, and What's the Story Wishbone. You couldn't find these types of shows anywhere else back in the 1990s, but in today's world, there is a surplus of content on digital and social media platforms.

Speaking of television shows, some major network shows were filmed in New Jersey. Are any of these your favorites?