‘Austin City Limits’ Producer Sounds the Alarm on Federal Funding Cuts

For more than 50 years, the longest-running music program on television has brought famed artists like Willie Nelson, Radiohead, and Billie Eilish to viewers across the country. Now, Austin City Limits faces a dire situation, as federal lawmakers have voted to cut $1.1 billion in funds to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The move is part of a broader trend by the Trump administration to gut governmental offices and expenditures.

Speaking to Billboard, longtime ACL producer Terry Lickona outlined how damaging the cuts could be for the storied program. He estimated that Austin PBS, the entity that produces ACL, expects to lose about $3 million, though it’s unclear how much would come directly out of the show’s budget. However, Lickona estimated that about 25% of ACL’s budget of $4 million comes from federal funds.

“But what’s important now, more than ever, is we are going to have to lean and lean hard on the support of people who’ve come to depend on our show,” Lickona told Billboard. “We’ve going to have to get that money from somewhere else.”

ACL’s 51st season is currently in production and has already hosted incredible performances from lauded artists like Charley Crockett and Waxahatchee. In the conversation with Billboard, Lickona said this year’s budget is already seeing a $350,000 shortfall. While the program searches for more underwriters and sponsors to make ends meet, artists are also rising to the occasion. ACL veteran Jason Isbell is scheduled to play a benefit concert for the show on Aug. 21, which will feature an intimate evening of storytelling and music.

Austin City Limits isn’t the only treasured local institution that depends on federal funding. Public radio stations KUT and KUTX expect to lose about $1.2 million in annual funds, which constitute about 6% of their budget. Station manager Debbie Hiott has said that the staff and entire programs could be in jeopardy as a result of the cuts.

“We’re reviewing all of our shows—this is the national shows, local segments that we run—and we’re deciding whether or not we can afford to continue those shows,” Hiott said in an article posted to KUT’s website. The local stations pay to air nationally syndicated NPR content such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

Both Hiott and Lickona seemed to agree that the budget shortfall would have to be made up by donations from local supporters who value the missions of these beloved broadcasting entities. If that doesn’t fill the gap, the Live Music Capital could be facing the erosion of the cornerstones that helped instill its identity.