The Trump administration has intensified efforts to defund public broadcasting, with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announcing that the Department of Education has terminated the Ready To Learn grant—a $23 million federal program supporting educational children’s content on PBS and NPR.
Impact on Public Media and Children’s Programming
The Ready To Learn grant, historically used to fund iconic children’s shows such as “Sesame Street” and “Reading Rainbow”, was set to expire in September 2025. The decision halts funding for PBS KIDS programming, affecting educational games and TV shows that have been instrumental in early childhood learning.
CPB President Patricia Harrison condemned the move, emphasizing that Ready To Learn has received bipartisan support for three decades due to its proven impact on children’s literacy and cognitive development.
Political and Public Reaction
Critics argue that the funding cut is part of a broader effort to dismantle public media, while supporters claim it is a cost-saving measure. Congress is expected to review the decision, with lawmakers debating whether to restore funding.
Trivia: A PBS Show Based on a Giant Pet
One of the PBS TV shows that relied on the Ready To Learn grant was “Clifford the Big Red Dog”, based on the popular children’s book series. The titular character, Clifford, was originally named “Tiny” before growing into his larger-than-life size.
President-Trump-Picture-on-Flickr-by-Gage-Skidmore-CC-BY-SA-2-0
