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Speedway cable commission looks to sponsorships, student partnerships to offset declining cable revenue
Summary
Cable commission proposed a $237,061 budget for 2026 (3.3% increase) and described sponsorships, production-for-hire work and an expanding partnership with the high school media program to support live sports coverage and station upgrades.
The Speedway Cable Commission presented a proposed 2026 operating budget of $237,061 (a 3.3% increase) to the council on Aug. 20 and described efforts to replace declining Comcast-derived revenue with sponsorships, production services and student partnerships.
Bridal Pierce (station manager) said the commission has generated roughly $4,500 in sponsorships to date plus about $2,300 in production fees for private work this year and is finalizing a sponsorship deal that could bring $5,000–$6,000 to fund replay equipment for live sports production. Pierce said the cable commission is also teaching media production in the high school media class and recruiting students to operate cameras and assist on live broadcasts.
The commission described plans to expand live coverage this fall: three cameras at the football stadium, tests to stream to YouTube and Facebook, potential delivery of the stadium feed to the new hospitality room video board, replay equipment to produce next-day highlights for social channels, and a play-by-play broadcaster for football games. Pierce said the station owns a drone used for aerial footage and has used past productions to document projects such as the gateway sign and the pedestrian footbridge.
Staff and council members noted the long-term challenge of declining cable subscription revenue and the importance of sponsorships and fee-for-service work to fund equipment and student learning opportunities.
Ending: The commission will continue sponsorship outreach and volunteer/student scheduling for fall sports broadcasts; no formal council action was taken at the Aug. 20 presentation.
