Iowa PBS cancels fall pledge drive over ‘suspicious’ cybersecurity issue

(ABC 6 News) – Iowa PBS announced on Tuesday they have canceled the remainder of their Fall Festival pledge drive due to a cybersecurity issue.

Susan Ramsey, Director of Communications for Iowa PBS, said in a statement that “in the early hours of Sunday morning, Iowa PBS became aware of suspicious activity on our network systems. We swiftly brought in systems experts to help us identify the issue.”

No other information about the suspicious activity was released as cybersecurity information is deemed confidential per Iowa Code 22.7 (50)(b).

Ramsey said Iowa PBS’s ability to serve Iowans has not been affected and broadcast, livestreams and digital platforms are still operational.

The Fall Festival pledge drives gives viewers the opportunity to support Iowa PBS programming and services, ensuring that Iowa PBS continues to educate, inform, enrich and inspire Iowans across the state.

As a result of the cancelation, Iowa PBS’s broadcast and streaming schedules for Saturday, Nov. 26, Sunday, Nov. 27 and Monday, Nov. 28 have changed. To view the new schedule of programming, CLICK HERE.