{"id":2357250,"date":"2024-10-20T15:44:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-20T19:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/seattle-city-council-supports-restoring-funding-for-seattle-channel-programming-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-20T15:47:11","modified_gmt":"2024-10-20T19:47:11","slug":"seattle-city-council-supports-restoring-funding-for-seattle-channel-programming-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/seattle-city-council-supports-restoring-funding-for-seattle-channel-programming-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Seattle City Council supports restoring funding for Seattle Channel programming &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fseattle-city-council-supports-restoring-funding-for-seattle-channel-programming-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2357250&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>At \u200da recent Seattle \u200dBudget Committee \u200bmeeting, there was evident support among <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/far-left-cheers-as-homeless-group-seizes-hotel-near-tacoma-city-leaders-negotiating-with-group-as-police-refuse-to-intervene\/\" title=\"Far Left Cheers As Homeless Group Seizes Hotel Near Tacoma; City Leaders Negotiating With Group As Police Refuse To Intervene\">council members<\/a> for maintaining funding for the Seattle Channel, which is facing\u2062 proposed cuts as part of Mayor Bruce Harrell\u2019s budget plan for 2025-2026. These cuts, aimed at alleviating a projected $250 million budget deficit, would\u200b eliminate six positions, including three video specialists\u200c and two strategic advisors, amounting to $1.6 million in \u200bsavings. <\/p>\n<p>Council\u2062 Chair\u200c Sara Nelson expressed her intention to restore funding for\u2062 the Seattle Channel\u2063 and questioned the need for \u200csuch \u2062drastic \u2062cuts, given public feedback highlighting the importance\u2063 of its programming. The Seattle Channel, a government-access television \u2064channel that broadcasts from Seattle City Hall, \u2064relies on franchise \u200bfees from cable providers, but these revenues have been declining due to shifts in \u2062customer preferences away from traditional cable services. The expected revenue for 2025 is notably lower than previous years, raising concerns about \u2063the\u200d channel\u2019s future operations.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Seattle City Council supports restoring funding for Seattle Channel programming<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1839686\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; A recent Seattle Budget Committee meeting gave the impression that proposed cuts to the Seattle Channel may be avoided, with several council members in favor of finding funding elsewhere.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The Seattle Channel program is subject to six position cuts to save $1.6 million as part of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell&rsquo;s proposed 2025-2026 budget. These cuts intend to help the city face a $250 million budget deficit during the next budget cycle.<\/p>\n<p>These positions include three video specialists, one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sheep-in-wolves-clothing-closet-christian-conservatives-explain-what-life-is-like-in-woke-corporate-america\/\" title=\"Sheep In Wolves\u2019 Clothing: Closet Christian Conservatives Explain What Life Is Like In Woke Corporate America\">information technology professional<\/a>, and two strategic advisors.<\/p>\n<p>The Seattle Channel is a government-access television channel that operates out of the Seattle City Hall building.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, Seattle City Council Chair Sara Nelson announced she attends to restore funding to the program.<\/p>\n<p>During the Select Budget Committee meeting on Thursday, Nelson said she was unsure why the Seattle Channel faces significant cuts despite public feedback requesting programming be saved.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The public cares very deeply about all the programming on this channel. I continue to question the rationale for cutting all of the Seattle Channel programming except for council meetings and press conferences,&rdquo; Nelson said at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/palm-beach-officials-considering-a-bid-from-trumps-neighbors-to-evict-former-president-from-mar-a-lago-estate\/\" title=\"Palm Beach Officials Considering A Bid From Trump\u2019s Neighbors To Evict Former President From Mar-A-Lago Estate\">council meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Seattle Channel is funded by revenues raised by franchise fees assessed on cable providers&rsquo; gross revenues. In addition, cable providers also pay the city a fee in support of public educational and public access channels, such as Seattle Channel free of charge.<\/p>\n<p>Cable franchise revenues have been declining, likely in part due to customers switching away from cable services. Revenues have dropped from a high of approximately $9 million in 2019 to a proposed amount of $5.7 million in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Nelson is seeking background information on the franchise fee, which she says has been siphoned off and used for other expenditures, leaving the Seattle Channel to receive about 43% of the cable fund distribution.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That revenue makes up just a small part of the overall Seattle IT budget, and so could those programs be funded from elsewhere in the IT budget?&rdquo; Nelson asked.<\/p>\n<p>Fellow city council members joined Nelson in wanting to find a way to prevent cuts to the Seattle Channel. Dan Strauss said he wants to not only sustain programming, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rite-aid-files-for-bankruptcy-changes-leadership-amid-struggled-business-opioid-lawsuits\/\" title=\"Rite Aid bankrupt, new leadership due to business struggles and opioid lawsuits.\">ensure long-term success<\/a>. This could include allowing under-utilized studio space at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/9-year-old-girl-pepper-sprayed-during-interaction-with-rochester-police\/\" title=\"9-Year-Old Girl Pepper Sprayed During Interaction With Rochester Police\">city hall<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Strengthening the Seattle Channel in the future may have to include an alternative funding source, or use a different model, according to Strauss.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If the city council decides it&rsquo;s not in the city&rsquo;s best interests to fully restore $1.6 million in funding for the Seattle Channel next year, it could consider partial restoration.<\/p>\n<p>For example, one option proposed by Seattle city staff would add $920,000 and 4 positions to continue approximately 50% of the non-governmental programming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1839686\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1839686\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seattle City Council backs restoring funding for Seattle Channel<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2357251,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/seattle-1024x598.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[43390,43391,36854,43389,43388],"class_list":["post-2357250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-funding-restoration","tag-government-support","tag-local-news","tag-seattle-channel","tag-seattle-city-council"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/seattle-1024x598.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2357250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2357250"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2357250\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2357251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2357250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2357250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2357250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}