PBS is set for a programming shift next weekend as it introduces two new shows focused on science and foreign affairs. This change comes on the heels of a significant $1.1 billion cut in federal funding for public broadcasting, prompting the network to discontinue its weekend breaking newscasts.

In a heartfelt farewell, John Yang, the anchor of “PBS News Weekend,” signed off for what appears to be an indefinite hiatus. The weekend edition, which has been a staple since its 2013 inception in New York before relocating to Washington in 2022, broadcasted its final segment on Sunday.

Starting this Saturday, PBS will debut “Horizons,” a weekly program dedicated to exploring science and technology. Following on Sunday, “Compass Points” will delve into foreign affairs. Both shows will be pre-recorded during the week, a strategic move designed to reduce costs by minimizing weekend staffing, according to Sara Just, the senior executive producer for “NewsHour.”

The decision to end the weekend newscast, which drew an average of 827,000 viewers per show, was influenced by its viewership numbers trailing the weekday “NewsHour” by nearly a million, as reported by Nielsen.

This shift in programming aligns with a broader political context. The elimination of funding for PBS and NPR by the Republican-led Congress in July was a response to President Donald Trump’s critique, who has voiced concerns about perceived biases against conservatives in public broadcasting’s news content.

During Sunday’s finale, highlights aired by PBS illustrated important news stories that broke over weekends — Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in summer 2024, and Joe Biden’s exit from the presidential race on a Sunday a few weeks later.

Asked if the weekend newscasts could return if a future government restores funding to PBS, Just said, “I never say never, but this is not a temporary decision.”

Also in response to funding cuts, PBS shut down a bureau in Arizona that had enabled “NewsHour” to update its broadcasts for West Coast viewers. But Just cautioned against interpreting the moves as an indication the weekday newscast is in any danger. Through TikTok and YouTube, the broadcast is seeing more exposure for its journalism, she said.

“I don’t see that program at risk in the near future,” she said.

Both “Horizons” and “Compass Points” will be 30-minute broadcasts. William Brangham will host “Horizons,” which will focus on a single topic each week, such as artificial intelligence, climate science or medical advances. Each episode of “Compass Points,” with Nick Schifrin as host, will also concentrate on one topic, PBS said.

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David Bauder writes about the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him at and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.