The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is officially shutting down after losing its federal funding, bringing a major blow to the future of public media in the U.S. The nonprofit, which has funded local radio and TV stations for decades, announced the closure on Friday, sparking widespread concern over what that means for NPR, PBS, and free public programming across the country.

For many, the first thought was “Sesame Street.” For others, it was NPR’s “Tiny Desk.” But producer Bobby Carter quickly stepped in to clear up the confusion. “NPR/Tiny Desk is not shutting down,” he wrote in an Instagram post after hearing from fans, family, and friends. “Unfortunately, CPB is.” He encouraged supporters to keep donating to public media and thanked everyone for the outpouring of support.

CPB was established in 1967 to help fund public broadcasting networks, including more than 1,500 local stations. That lifeline came to a halt when an executive order was signed in May to cut $1.1 billion in funding. Congress approved the cuts the following month. Despite petitions, phone calls, and letters from the public, CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison confirmed the shutdown in a statement, saying the organization would do its best to handle the transition “with transparency and care.”

NPR’s CEO, Katherine Maher, also raised alarms in a recent interview, pointing out that public broadcasters are part of emergency alert systems in nearly half of the country. “If these go away, you’ll have fewer outlets to respond in real time,” she said.

The majority of CPB employees are expected to be laid off by September 30, the end of the fiscal year. A small team will stay on until January to wrap up final operations.