PBS FY14 draft budget has $11M content hike, no dues increase, thanks to income influx

PBS’s year-to-date financial results show a net income of $22 million instead of the estimated $100,000 net loss anticipated in its fiscal year 2013 budget, the PBS Board of Directors heard at their meeting April 9.

“I may never get to say this again, but that’s pretty impressive,” said Molly Corbett Broad, finance committee chair. Thanks to the influx, PBS’s FY14 budget contains an increase of $11 million for National Program Service content without a hike in dues for member stations. The draft budget, unanimously approved by the finance committee and full board, will arrive at public television stations in the coming weeks for comment. Total member assessment is $185.5 million, the same as FY13. Broad explained that the 2013 windfall was “primarily driven” by four factors: higher income from PBS Distribution (PBSd) due in part to the “tremendous success” of Masterpiece’s megahit Downton Abbey; ancillary revenues from PBS Kids’ properties; short-term investment gains; and more overhead reimbursements from grants.