Over the weekend, one of the longtime producers of NPR’s acclaimed Tiny Desk concert series, Bobby Carter, took to Instagram to calm growing fears about the show’s future. He reassured fans that the beloved stripped-down performance series is not going away, despite the recent news of the shutdown of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) under the Trump administration.
In his post, Carter addressed the swirling rumors that followed the administration’s May announcement to eliminate all federal funding for NPR and PBS by zeroing out the CPB’s budget.
“I’ve heard from many friends, family, and audience members who are worried that NPR/Tiny Desk is shutting down,” Carter wrote. “It is not. Unfortunately, CPB is shutting down. I encourage everyone to support Public Media and donate. I appreciate all the calls, texts, and messages. They have been overwhelming and heartwarming.”
While NPR supporters have expressed concern over the network’s future in the wake of these budget cuts, Tiny Desk has been thriving. The series recently expanded its reach with Tiny Desk Radio, a weekly show co-hosted by Carter and Anamarie Sayre.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the CPB. Established by Congress in 1967, the CPB became the largest single source of federal funding for public radio and television, providing essential support to more than 1,500 locally owned stations — many of which serve as the primary sources of news and information in rural communities. Over 70% of CPB funds went directly to these stations.
With the CPB scheduled to shut down fully in September, the future of many local stations remains uncertain. NPR has filed a lawsuit challenging both Trump’s executive order and Congress’s decision to rescind the organization’s funding. Without a reversal, numerous public media outlets could face severe financial strain — or even closure.
Launched in 2008 by former All Things Considered host Bob Boilen, Tiny Desk has since hosted more than 1,200 performances, becoming a cultural icon. From unforgettable sets by Adele and T-Pain to show-stopping appearances by Anderson .Paak, Dua Lipa, Mitski, Mac Miller, and Fred again…, the series has cemented itself as a cornerstone of modern music discovery.
As of press time, Billboard had not received a direct response from the Tiny Desk team regarding Carter’s statement or the show’s future, but Carter’s words have offered hope to fans: ‘Tiny Desk’ Producer Assures Fans the Show Will Continue Despite Trump’s Shutdown of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
