Budget Crunch for NewsHour

Happy Birthday to PBS’ Jim Lehrer. And as he recovers from recent aortic valve replacement surgery, there is news about his nightly broadcast: it’s in the worst financial straits ever.

The NewsHour is beginning to feel the effects of last year’s pullout of sponsor Archer Daniels Midland. The NYTimes reports the sponsorship provided anywhere from $4-$7 million of the program’s annual budget, “which varies from $26 million to $28 million.” Since May 1:

• Salaries have been frozen.
• Company contributions to 401(k) funds have been suspended.
• The budget remains “several million dollars short.”

And beyond the financial concerns, the NewsHour is also facing a succession issue. Lehrer turns 74 today. Execs on the show acknowledge that a plan has been discussed, but they would not get into details with the Times.

“I’ve always said, ‘I’ll do this until one of two things happens: it’s not fun any more or I start drooling on the air,’” Lehrer said. “As we speak, neither is happening.”

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