PBS has aired the final edition of PBS News Weekend, marking a significant programming shift for the public broadcaster following major federal funding cuts to public media.
The Saturday and Sunday broadcasts, companion editions to the weekday PBS NewsHour, concluded with their final episode on January 11. During the closing broadcast, anchor John Yang acknowledged that the decision was driven by the loss of federal support and that the change is expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Beginning this weekend, PBS will replace the weekend newscasts with two new topic-focused programs.
- Horizons, airing Saturdays, is hosted by William Brangham and will focus on science and technology, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, climate research, health and medical innovation.
- Compass Points, airing Sundays, is hosted by Nick Schifrin and will focus on global affairs and international reporting. Both programs are being produced in advance during the week, allowing PBS to reduce the operational costs associated with live weekend news production.
The shift follows the elimination of federal funding for public broadcasting, part of a broader legislative move that dismantled financial support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the organization that historically distributed federal funds to PBS and its member stations nationwide. The loss of that funding has forced PBS and many local stations to reassess staffing, production, and long-term programming strategies.
PBS News Weekend first launched in 2013 and built a loyal following for its thoughtful, in-depth coverage. In recent years, the program was integrated more closely with PBS NewsHour operations in Washington, D.C., and covered major breaking news events that unfolded on weekends, including international crises, political developments, and major national moments.
While the weekend newscasts are ending, PBS has emphasized that weekday editions of PBS NewsHour will continue uninterrupted. The network has also pointed to ongoing investment in digital journalism, with expanded reach across streaming platforms and social channels.
The debut of Horizons and Compass Points reflects PBS’s effort to preserve substantive journalism while adapting to a new financial reality, reshaping its weekend schedule around deeper, single-topic reporting rather than traditional breaking news formats.
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