WQED President and CEO Jason Jedlinski

WQED President and CEO Jason Jedlinski spoke with Morning Show host Jim Cunningham live on July 31, 2025 regarding the elimination of federal funding for public broadcasting, which not only cuts $1.8 million from WQED, but will likely add additional expenses such as music licensing and satellite program delivery. Jason emphasized that WQED’s radio and televisions stations will not go off the air. WQED will continue sharing classical favorites, interspersed with newer compositions, plus interviews with musicians, conductors, guest artists, and more. Familiar WQED personalities including Anna Singer, Chris Fennimore, Rick Sebak, Minette Seate and Jim Cunningham will continue on the air. (Jason said he saw footage from Rick and cameraman Frank Caloiero of chickens roasting on a flaming stove for a new feature.) Whatever PBS programs the network provides will continue to be seen on channel 13, but the prime-time schedule is bound to change, as producers’ budgets have been cut deeper than WQED’s. Jason explained the work of the award-winning Education Department will continue and there will be new original programming for tv. WQED’s President thanked listeners and members for increasing their support in recent days and acknowledged the money raised by stations across the system. However, he explained that one-time gifts to close the gap left by a single grant cannot ensure long-term financial sustainability or make up for the $535 million removed from the local-to-national public broadcasting system. Jason acknowledged the difficult decision to lay off 19 employees yesterday, confirming how painful staff cuts are, and added that he and WQED’s Board of Directors continue seeking expanded support from companies and foundations. Jason Jedlinski emphasized his passion for talking with neighbors and invited listeners and viewers to call him through the WQED switchboard, 412-622-1300, or send an email to jason (at) wqed.org. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.