NPR Sues CPB Over $57.9M Public Radio Grant

RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, September 28, 2025 | 2:56pm CT

NPR

NPR has filed suit to block the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) from awarding a $57.9 million grant to Public Media Infrastructure (PMI), a new consortium of public radio institutions, to operate the satellite system that connects stations nationwide. The filing comes as federal funding for public media ends with the new fiscal year.

The legal move highlights growing tensions between NPR and CPB after congressional Republicans, at President Trump's urging, rescinded previously approved funding for public broadcasting over the next two years. The CPB distributes federal subsidies to public radio and TV stations, PBS, and in smaller measure, NPR. Those subsidies -- roughly 15% of PBS budgets and about 10% for radio stations on average -- disappear starting Wednesday.

NPR has operated the satellite distribution network for more than four decades, providing programming access to hundreds of stations, including many unaffiliated with NPR itself. In April, NPR says it was told it would receive more than $30 million to continue running the system, but CPB later reversed course. On Friday, CPB awarded the contract to PMI, whose partners include New York Public Radio, PRX, American Public Media, Station Resource Group, and the National Federation of Community Broadcasters.

"By awarding this grant to PMI, CPB is placing trust in stations to drive the future of radio content distribution," CPB President Patricia Harrison said, calling the move an investment in innovation and sustainability, especially for rural and community outlets.

NPR argues CPB's decision was driven by White House pressure and violates the First Amendment and the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. The network and several member stations are already suing the administration over Trump's May order prohibiting CPB from directing federal funds to NPR, which NPR says unlawfully retaliates against critical coverage. In a message to stations, NPR CEO Katherine Maher described the CPB decision as undermining decades of partnership, but pledged to cooperate with PMI to preserve system stability.

The dispute underscores strains within public media as CPB and PBS officials reportedly sought to preserve subsidies for stations even if NPR was excluded. CPB, for its part, said it was confident its actions serve the best interests of public radio, while criticizing NPR for diverting scarce resources toward litigation.

A hearing on NPR's request for a temporary restraining order is scheduled for Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss, just one day before federal subsidies expire.