OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday failed to override Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of legislation extending the life of the state’s public broadcasting network, putting the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority on a path toward closure.
The chamber fell short of the 32 votes required to override Stitt’s veto of Senate Bill 1461, with 18 Republican senators voting to sustain it on the final day of the 2026 legislative session. Because the override failed in the Senate, the House did not take up the measure.
Stitt vetoed the bill May 5, arguing state government should not fund public television and that the network should instead rely on private support. The move aligns with broader Republican efforts to reduce taxpayer funding for PBS and NPR affiliates.
Without legislative action, OETA’s statutory authorization will expire July 1, triggering a one-year wind-down process. However, the network is expected to continue operating into mid-2027 after lawmakers approved $2.84 million in funding for the upcoming fiscal year.
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said the issue could resurface next year, particularly with Stitt term-limited and leaving office in 2027. He suggested OETA’s future may become part of the next gubernatorial campaign.
Supporters of the override warned the network provides more than programming. Sen. Micheal Bergstrom argued its infrastructure plays a key role in statewide emergency communications, including severe weather alerts and Amber and Silver alerts.
OETA officials have said long-term operations are uncertain without legislative authorization because its Federal Communications Commission licenses are tied to the state. The network plans to continue normal operations while exploring legal and legislative options.
The PBS affiliate reaches more than 650,000 viewers weekly and has served Oklahoma audiences for nearly 70 years.
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