Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Gaston County debates ending cable access channel as viewership falls and costs rise
Summary
Communications staff recommended discontinuing the county government cable access channel on Dec. 31, 2025, citing low cable adoption, aging equipment and a roughly $40,000 replacement cost; commissioners raised concerns about seniors, emergency messaging and asked staff to explore grants and alternatives.
Communications Director Adam Gough asked the Gaston County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 17 to end broadcast of the county government cable access channel on Dec. 31, 2025, and continue recording and streaming meetings via the county website and YouTube.
Gough said national cable penetration has fallen (citing a recent Pew Research estimate of about 36% of U.S. households) and that less than 30% of Gaston County households can access the specific cable providers that carry the county channel. He said his two‑year review and a…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
