New Jersey’s public television network, NJ PBS, is facing a shutdown after more than a decade of operation under the management of The WNET Group. The announcement comes after WNET and the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority (NJPBA) were unable to reach an agreement to extend their management contract beyond June 30, 2026.
NJ PBS was created in 2011, when then-Governor Chris Christie and the state legislature decided to end state-run television operations. At that time, WNET, New York’s long-standing public media organization, stepped in to manage New Jersey’s public broadcasting and rebranded it as NJ PBS. Over the past 14 years, NJ PBS has built a reputation for producing original, New Jersey–focused journalism and programs highlighting the state’s communities, culture, and public affairs.
Financial pressures are at the heart of the current crisis. WNET cited significant cuts at both the federal and state levels that have constrained their ability to continue operating the service. While NJ PBS will remain on the air until mid-2026, the long-term future of public broadcasting in New Jersey remains uncertain.
Until the expiration date, NJ PBS will continue regular programming, including its flagship nightly newscast, NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi, which broadcasts across NJ PBS, WNET’s THIRTEEN, and digital platforms. After the contract ends, WNET has pledged to continue producing and airing NJ Spotlight News on THIRTEEN and online, while encouraging other New Jersey–based institutions to step forward in operating a statewide public television service.
WNET leaders expressed gratitude to viewers, donors, and the NJ PBS Board for their support over the years. While the public television network as it is currently structured will end with the contract, WNET reiterated its commitment to providing New Jersey news coverage and partnering with local organizations to preserve public broadcasting in the state.