By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Governor Kay Ivey is urging the Alabama Educational Television Commission to slow its consideration of a proposal that would separate Alabama Public Television (APT) from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), warning that such a significant decision must involve the public and include a detailed transition plan.
In a November 17 letter sent through APT Executive Director Wayne Reid, Ivey acknowledged concerns driving talk of disaffiliation but said the Commission should not act quickly or unilaterally. She reminded commissioners that Alabama law requires them to “survey, study and appraise” the needs of public television and ensure “the benefits of educational television” remain accessible statewide.
Ivey called on the Commission to conduct a statewide survey, led by a reputable market research firm and supported by viewership data, to determine how Alabamians feel about leaving PBS. She said the study must run over time and measure not only opinions on disaffiliation but also what viewers expect if PBS programming is removed. “If the Commission is going to disaffiliate from PBS, it should do so in response to trends in voter opinion, not just an isolated snapshot,” she wrote (Source: Governor Kay Ivey’s November 17 Letter).
The governor also directed commissioners to publish a written transition plan detailing the reasoning for a separation and how APT would continue fulfilling its statutory mission afterward. She said the plan should be available for public review before any vote.
Support for the proposal has grown among conservative lawmakers who argue some PBS programs conflict with their cultural priorities. APT has not released a formal rationale for the potential split. In her letter, Ivey referenced her broader political agenda—on religious liberty, DEI, critical race theory, and transgender athletes—saying APT’s programming should reflect Alabama values, while stressing that any major changes must follow an orderly, transparent process.
Ivey’s request suggests that the timeline for a decision could extend into 2026, as commissioners gather data, analyze public sentiment, and evaluate how APT would function without PBS content.