{"id":20908,"date":"2024-10-29T10:08:55","modified":"2024-10-30T10:14:16","slug":"councilmember-strauss-announces-legislation-to-restore-seattle-channel-funding","link":"https:\/\/council.seattle.gov\/2024\/10\/29\/councilmember-strauss-announces-legislation-to-restore-seattle-channel-funding\/","title":{"rendered":"Councilmember Strauss announces legislation to restore Seattle Channel funding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Seattle City Councilmember <\/strong>Dan Strauss<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>(District 6), Chair of the Select Budget Committee<\/a>, announced a proposal this morning to restore funding for the award-winning Seattle Channel and a process for charting a course for the channel\u2019s continued success.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Seattle Channel is a crucial part of our civic life. It\u2019s a place where Seattleites get unfiltered access to their elected leaders, where journalists hold us accountable, and where anyone is able to engage with the arts scene that makes our city so special. We need to do more than just fund its award-winning programming, we need to ensure the channel\u2019s long-term fiscal sustainability and continued independence,\u201d said Councilmember Strauss<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI applaud Councilmember Strauss for advancing a collaborative approach dedicated to identifying a sustainable, long-term path forward for Seattle Channel\u2019s original programming,\u201d said Mayor Bruce Harrell<\/strong>. \u201cRecognizing the impact of declining cable franchise fees on funding, this workgroup will bring new ideas and explore solutions to promote the thoughtful civic discourse and local programming fostered by the Seattle Channel\u2019s talented team.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Seattle Channel\u2019s funding currently depends on cable-television fees. Due to a long-term decrease in the number of people buying cable services and associated declining revenues, the Seattle Channel was facing a $1.6 million budget reduction in 2025 and 2026.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While primary programming of government affairs (live Council meetings, press conferences, community forums) would continue, this reduction would have led to six Seattle Channel staff being laid <\/p>\n\n\n\n

off and the elimination of original programming, such as \u201cCity Inside\/Out\u201d hosted by Brian Callanan, \u201cArt Zone\u201d hosted by Nancy Guppy, and Book Lust hosted by Nancy Pearl.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the legislation does<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Councilmember Strauss intends to bring forward legislation doing two key things:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Restore Seattle Channel\u2019s funding<\/strong>: Councilmember Strauss will include legislation restoring Seattle Channel\u2019s funding in his Chair\u2019s Balancing Package. The proposal would fully restore Seattle Channel\u2019s funding for original programming and prevent layoffs of its staff. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Chart a course for Seattle Channel\u2019s future: <\/strong>Councilmember Strauss also intends to bring forward legislation creating an expert work group to recommend ways to create a sustainable future for the Seattle Channel that allows it to maintain its independence. Among other things, this process will identify more secure funding sources for the channel. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    What\u2019s next? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The Chair\u2019s Balancing Package, which includes the funding restoration, will be discussed tomorrow during the Select Budget Committees 9:30 AM meeting. That meeting will, as is standard, be broadcast live on the award-winning Seattle Channel.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The legislation to create an expert working group is scheduled to be introduced in November.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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