Contact: Madeline Myers, Public Relations and Communications Specialist
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PBS Western Reserve’s Community Impact Report Highlights Year of Growth

Kent, Ohio — Nov. 17, 2025 — PBS Western Reserve is celebrating record achievement under the new leadership of President & CEO Natalie Pillsbury. The organization’s Community Impact Report, now available to the public, summarizes the triumphant 2025 fiscal year as PBS Western Reserve yielded both increased output and membership.

“I am proud to report that PBS Western Reserve has deepened its bond with the people and places of Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania,” said Pillsbury in a statement. “Guided by our strategic priority of local impact, we invested in storytelling, civic dialogue, education and innovation — while strengthening the organization’s foundation during a critical time when our public media system is under threat.”

In fiscal year 2025, PBS Western Reserve administered over 40 unique standards-aligned youth education events; sponsored seven paid internships; launched a volunteer program; promoted civic connection through partnerships with the Akron Roundtable, Akron Bicentennial Commission and more; supported independent artists through the distribution of programs such as “The Remember Balloons,” “The World According to Polka,” and “Studio C Sessions;” highlighted issues of importance through original storytelling including the Emmy-winning series “City Centric,” “By Nature’s Design” and the digital series “Local Focus;” and encouraged lifelong learning through a host of experiential events including multiple expert panel screenings, wetland tours and member-exclusive celebrations like afternoon tea during a preview of the fan-favorite “All Creatures Great and Small.”

In the first full year under Pillsbury, public media organizations like PBS Western Reserve faced threats to federal funding, which accounted for around 23% of PBS Western Reserve’s budget. Those threats were realized in July when the White House approved the rescission of public media funding, shuttering the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and ending the government’s investment in free, educational media after nearly 60 years.

PBS Western Reserve’s successful year generated an 18% increase in members, enabling the organization to exceed its revenue goals by 8%. Despite these record achievements, PBS Western Reserve must raise an additional $600,000 to replace the loss from cuts to state and federal funding.

In the wake of funding cuts, PBS Western Reserve remains committed to its mission of fostering connection and lifelong learning across the region through free, accessible media and educational services.

See the full report — including a newly revitalized mission, vision and values statement — at PBSWesternReserve.org. Discover ways to help PBS Western Reserve’s efforts to close funding gaps and continue providing free, quality educational media, services and outreach at PBSWesternReserve.org/support.

About PBS Western Reserve  

PBS Western Reserve is a community organization that empowers Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania through the impact of accessible public media and educational services to foster connection and lifelong learning. We present to our region cultural, scientific and artistic programming for awareness and enjoyment; local storytelling and access to trusted regional, state and national public affairs; experiential opportunities and community outreach for people of all ages; and educational initiatives that support the healthy development of our youth.  

PBS Western Reserve is made up of two separately licensed public television stations (WNEO and WEAO) and an Educational Services division operating under one 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc. (NETO). WNEO was established in 1971, is licensed to the city of Alliance and serves the Youngstown designated television market. WEAO went on the air in 1975, is licensed to the city of Akron and serves the Cleveland-Akron-Canton designated television market. All programming is simulcast on the two stations. 

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