Update: August 1, 2025
CPB is closing. Here’s what that means for WDET
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has announced it is shutting down. This comes just weeks after the Trump administration rescinded funding from WDET and public media stations across the country.
For us, the most immediate concerns are music licensing rights and the satellite system that keeps us connected to national programming. These are essential to our operations, especially as a station that offers music, news and conversation to the metro Detroit area. Covering these costs without CPB support presents a serious challenge.
Even with so much uncertainty, WDET is not standing still. We are taking action now to close the funding gap and protect the services our community depends on.
And we are not doing it alone. Listeners across the region are stepping up to support the station they love. Your generosity keeps us going.
If you believe in WDET and the role public media plays in Detroit, we are asking for your support today.
Join our 1,000 More Members campaign
We’re calling on our community to help us welcome 1,000 new members. Your support will keep WDET’s essential services up and running.
Already a member? Thank you!
If you’re in a position to do more, you can increase your monthly contribution or make an additional one-time gift to help WDET through this critical moment.
Every donation makes a difference. Thank you for standing with us.
Update: July 24, 2025
Trump slashes $1.1 billion from public media funding
Now more than ever, WDET needs you!
Soon, the Rescissions Act will be signed into law. Despite widespread concern, the bill includes a rollback in federal funding for public media. This decision will have devastating consequences for stations like WDET and for rural communities across the country.
This is a difficult moment. WDET has long been a trusted source of news, music, and conversation. And while this setback is significant, it is not the end of the story.
You can make a difference
Become a member, a sustaining member or make a one-time gift to keep Detroit’s public radio strong. Your support keeps the news, stories, and music going in Detroit and beyond.
How you can help
Russ McNamara spoke with Station Manager Mary Zatina about what the funding cuts mean for WDET and how the station is looking ahead with support from its listeners.
Impact on WDET
Federal funding to WDET provides almost $300,000 in direct dollars and additional shared services valued at over $200,000 for collaborative things like the satellite system WDET needs to bring you programming like Morning Edition and All Things Considered. It’s the same shared satellite system that allows WDET to share our Detroit stories with the nation.
We are also a part of the Emergency Alert System, which protects lives and the safety of our community.
In total, we would need over $515,000 to replace lost CPB funding — money we simply don’t have.
Our services at risk:
Emergency Broadcasting Services critical to connecting Detroit, the region and Michigan.
Local reporting highlighting community news, features and events that show the richness of Detroit and our region, including the 3-minute hyper-local daily podcast, Detroit Evening Report downloaded to over 100,000 annually and the Detroit-focused two-hour weekday arts and culture show, The Metro featuring more than 250 local organizations and individuals who serve Detroit.
Detroit Reading Information Service (DRIS) provides vision-impaired listeners with a free daily connection, and lifeline to the community. More than 45 volunteer readers support the broadcast of local, community and national newspapers, periodicals, magazines and books. Listeners hear The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, The New York Times puzzles, The Washington Post, The Jewish News, The Michigan Chronicle, EL CENTRAL among others. A ‘station-within-a-station’ DRIS is streamed online and available via a special receiver. DRIS provides more than 12,000 streaming hours each year.
WDET Internship Program inspires the future careers of over 40 students a year with paid, hands-on, real-world professional experience, and prepares the next generation of trusted media professionals.
Join our 1000 more members campaign
We’re calling on our community to add 1,000 more members to keep WDET services up and running
- By becoming a member, you’re supporting independent journalism, thoughtful conversations, and the music that moves Detroit.
To learn how we got here, visit WDET’s archived Save page.