Commission votes to provide $25,000 annual subsidy to D ETV as lease talks continue

Wilmington — The Cable and Television Commission voted to amend its earlier recommendation and provide a standing $25,000 annual contribution to D ETV, the city’s current third‑party operator for public, educational and government (PEG) access programming, while discussions continue over studio space and lease terms.

Commissioners debated details of a planned move from D ETV’s current leased space and discussed an offer from the property owner, BPG, to subsidize rent. John Stant, the City attorney, told the panel he had received an email from BPG saying it would subsidize 25% of rent for the Third Floor at 1105 N. Market and offer some parking relief. “It is my job as your lawyer to let you know of this interest,” Stant said.

The discussion followed an extended presentation by D ETV representatives about programming reach, equipment status and the nonprofit’s production model. Ivan Thomas of D ETV summarized the organization’s statewide distribution and audience metrics and described programming produced for “Good Morning Delaware,” children’s and women’s networks and other local series. “D ETV is committed to delivering vital resources and unwavering support to uplift any in our community here in Delaware,” Thomas said during his presentation.

Commissioners and staff reviewed technical and logistical constraints. Council staff reported moving‑cost estimates for the TPO’s relocation and a separate Comcast line move: a city estimate of roughly $7,400 for the physical move and $2,000–$3,000 to relocate the Comcast line, with a projected 2–3 week lead time to schedule the cable work and about four hours of actual downtime for Channel 28 during the changeover.

Officials also discussed equipment the city owns at the Third Floor studio and replacements already made: the TriCaster had required a PSU replacement after a power surge, the LaCie NAS drive was replaced in October 2024, and other lighting and audio equipment had been serviced or replaced. Staff emphasized that the Third Floor functions as both a live‑production studio and an administrative/editing hub that D ETV considers essential to maintain daily operations and student training.

Commissioners reviewed franchise‑related funding from the Comcast agreement. City staff said Comcast’s revised franchise language guarantees a minimum PEG support amount equivalent to at least $90,000 per year, computed from 95¢ per subscriber, although the franchise language no longer specified a separate fixed lease payment that appeared in older agreements.

After further comment and a motion to amend the commission’s prior recommendation, the commission took a voice vote to adopt a standing annual contribution of $25,000 to support the TPO. The vote was taken by voice; the motion carried.

The commission did not finalize a long‑term lease decision at the meeting. Commissioners directed staff to continue negotiating logistics with BPG and to return with updated subscriber data from Comcast, financial scenarios for the TPO and a move timeline for approval. Staff said subscriber counts and quarterly franchise payment details should be available before the next meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment to prior recommendation to include a standing contribution of $25,000 annually to the TPO (D ETV): Motion made from the floor and seconded; voice vote; motion carried.

Context and next steps

Commissioners said they preferred not to assume long‑term lease obligations on the city’s balance sheet while the TPO transition is unresolved, but they acknowledged a short‑term subsidy could stabilize operations and preserve live‑production capacity. Staff and commissioners requested a follow‑up meeting to review Comcast subscriber counts and a clearer budget plan before committing to multi‑year lease arrangements.