KET Revives Fancy Farm Coverage After Kentucky Chamber Donation

Kentucky Educational Television (KET) reversed its decision to cancel coverage of the 2025 Fancy Farm political picnic after receiving a donation from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, allowing the public broadcaster to continue its decades-long tradition of statewide coverage. The cancellation had come in response to federal funding cuts enacted by Congress, which eliminated approximately $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a major source of KET's budget. The Fancy Farm Picnic, known for its fiery political speeches and bipartisan attendance, will be covered live by KET with host Renee Shaw and analysts Bob Babbage and Trey Grayson. Despite the revived coverage, KET has not announced plans to resume other canceled projects tied to these funding losses. Meanwhile, other public media organizations in Kentucky, such as Louisville Public Media, have also sought donor support to offset federal funding cuts. The donation amount from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce was not disclosed, but the support was crucial in enabling KET’s continued broadcast of the event.