Finance Committee approves WMCT TV FY2026 budget, approves larger capital outlay for chamber technology

Marlborough City Finance Committee members voted 5-0 on March 3 to approve WMCT TV’s operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2026, after the station’s executive director described a modest decrease in operating spending and a substantial increase in capital expenditures to upgrade broadcast technology.

Executive Director Myliar told the committee that “the budget is pretty straightforward” and that the station “really track[s] our finances really well.” Myliar said the operations budget was reduced because the station chose not to hire a previously planned part‑time employee; the capital budget was increased to replace aging equipment used to record council and school committee meetings.

Myliar described planned upgrades for the council chamber and the school committee room that include improved audio, “an additional camera that can capture a full vote in the room,” and replacement of older control-room technology. He said the upgrades would be “minimally invasive” and that staff would consult with anyone concerned about preserving the rooms’ historic aesthetic.

Councilor Oram praised the proposal’s improvements and raised broader concerns about the long‑term funding model for PEG access, asking what would happen if cable revenue disappeared. Myliar answered with an overview of current funding sources: the Verizon contract (a five‑year agreement that began in 2023) includes a 4.825% gross‑revenue payment for PEG support, a three‑year PEG grant totaling $232,500 (two payments of $77,500 already received), and a license fee of $0.50 per subscriber per year. Myliar said the Comcast contract (a 10‑year agreement that began in 2016 and is up for renewal in 2026) currently provides three channels and a 4.825% gross‑revenue PEG payment, and that earlier Comcast capital funding totaled $156,019.

Myliar also recounted a multi‑year decline in cable subscribers that affects PEG revenue: “2015 was our best year for subscriber numbers. We had 13,833 cable subscribers,” compared with 7,179 in 2023, a drop of about 48%. He told the committee that although subscriber counts are falling nationally, the station and city negotiate PEG terms and receive some capital grants that support operations and equipment upgrades.

Councilors expressed general support for the budget and the capital upgrades. A motion to approve the WMCT TV budget (order number 25-1093, FY 2026) carried 5 to 0.

The committee did not set additional conditions or reporting requirements beyond the budget approval; staff will implement the capital purchases and continue to report on PEG revenue and subscriber trends as part of routine budgeting and transfers.