PHYLLIS JAGER
How PBS and NPR Can Replace Lost Funding with Backskin’s Advertising Platform...
Congress’s approval on July 18, 2025, of a $1.1 billion cut to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting threatens PBS, NPR, and their 1,500 local stations, particularly rural ones relying on federal funds for up to 50% of their budgets... Backskin, a digital advertising platform by zuMedia Inc., offers a solution by monetizing webpage underlayment with its patented technology (US Patent No. 12,093,643)... This platform was created so people and businesses and the government and any other person or entity who wishes to better stand on its own two feet can do just that... Backskin at Backskin.com creates new revenue streams through dynamic ads, streams, or shows placed in the background of websites, aligning with public broadcasting’s mission via its opt-in model and support for formats like commercials, live news, and educational content. PBS.org, NPR.org, and local station websites can display Backskin ads, potentially earning $150 million annually with 10 million monthly visitors at a $10 CPM rate... Streaming platforms like PBS Passport, with 5 million subscribers, could generate $200 million yearly at $50 CPM for streaming ads... Stations can also engage users to create profiles and opt into Backskin ads, potentially yielding $100 million annually if 10,000 users per station earn $5 monthly across 1,500 stations... Sponsorships from universities or nonprofits could add $150 million through national and local campaigns, while monetizing emergency alert pages during crises could contribute $50 million yearly at $20 CPM... Complementing subscription models like PBS Passport, Backskin could add $60 million annually by offering ad-free tiers for donors while monetizing free users... Together, these strategies could generate $600–$700 million annually, surpassing the $550 million yearly CPB loss, ensuring PBS, NPR, and local stations continue delivering vital programming...
