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Council approves $16,000 annual cable-access contract as members debate future of local channel
Summary
The New Richmond City Council approved a one-year agreement with Northwood Technical College to operate the city's local cable access channel at an estimated cost of $16,000, while council members and the college representative discussed falling subscriber numbers, equipment age and the shift of local producers to online platforms.
The New Richmond City Council approved an annual agreement with Northwood Technical College to administer the city's local cable access channel for the July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026 term at an estimated cost of $16,000.
Council members said the contract renews existing services and opened a broader discussion about the channel's future amid declining cable subscriptions and changing viewer habits.
The college's representative, Alex Burkholtz, told the council that subscriber counts have fallen in recent years and that local cable penetration in New Richmond is now about 15 percent of the city's roughly 4,300 households. "We have about 4,300 households in New Richmond. And so we're about 15% penetration for those homes with cable," Burkholtz said, adding that equipment in use dates from 2018 and could require reinvestment if it fails.
Burkholtz and council members discussed how local producers sometimes prefer posting content to platforms such as YouTube because of monetization options, while others still rely on the cable lineup to find local programming. "Once they find out that YouTube will pay them a nickel or a dime every time someone shows it... they sometimes just opt for that," Burkholtz said. He also said some community viewers who do not use online streaming still rely on cable to watch local meetings and programming.
Alderman Montello asked for perspective on viewership trends and the long-term viability of local cable. Burkholtz said the industry is consolidating and that, while New Richmond showed no immediate risk of losing its service, the city could face a decision in the future when aging equipment requires replacement.
The motion to accept the agreement passed on a roll-call vote. Alderman Kittle, Alderman Friess, Alderman Weinmeier, Alderman Volker and Alderman Montello recorded votes of "yes" on the motion.
Council members and staff also discussed opportunities to increase local content by partnering with independent producers and livestream vendors; one council member noted ongoing discussions with a livestream vendor about broadcasting local high-school sports.
The contract keeps the channel operating under its current structure for one year; the council did not adopt any policy changes to funding or channel distribution as part of this vote.
The council will revisit technology and content strategies in future meetings as equipment ages and viewership patterns continue to evolve.
