Research, Analytics & Consulting Solutions
Providing quality services to public television since 1979

We want to keep you updated on the most current information on the potential loss of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which will impact your local public television & radio stations. Earlier this week, it was widely reported that the administration attempted to remove three of the five CPB board members. In turn, the CPB sued the administration, contending that the President does not have the power to take these actions.
On Thursday, May 1, the administration went ahead with an anticipated executive order aimed at cutting funding for public broadcasters. CPB issued this statement in response on Friday.
While we do not know how this situation will resolve, we do know that a vote to eliminate all CPB funding already allocated for FY26 and FY27 is planned in the coming weeks. If enacted, this change will impact your local public television station’s budget beginning this October. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more details.
One step you can take right now is to urge Congress to protect funding by taking action at Protect My Public Media, an action network working to support local media. ​
​
As the industry moves to impressions as a metric to measure digital, social, and broadcast audiences, it is important that public media stations do the same. A shared standard of this metric allows stations to learn from each other, experiment with ways to increase impressions, and design initiatives with measurable outcomes. The total of such impressions across all platforms are Gross Impressions (GrImps), which are already replacing Gross Ratings Points (GRP's).
TRAC Impressions reports track linear broadcast ratings of your main channel, and sub-channels (World, Create, PBS Kids) as well as your station's website visitors and users across your social media platforms in addition to YouTube, the PBS app, and FM Radio audiences.
​
With a new shared standard, TRAC provides the expertise and tools to assist stations with cross-market comparisons and research experience that helps public media stations successfully transition into the new age of impressions and GrImps.

Benefits of TRAC Impressions
-
Gauge the impact of all platforms
-
Align resources with tangible outcomes
-
Set & use gross impressions goals
-
Measure progress alongside peers
-
Support impression-based fundraising

With an Impressions database and easy-to-access detailed reporting, TRAC provides beneficial analysis with downloadable reports through a dedicated website. Online, on-demand access includes graphical summary reports ready to present, that are easy to export to PDF or Excel.
​