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Westborough TV warns reserves could be exhausted by FY26; Select Board authorizes manager to negotiate
Summary
Westborough TV presented a forecast showing cable‑fee revenue declines and a FY26 shortfall; the board voted to authorize the town manager to negotiate a possible FY26 funding agreement and asked staff and the station to pursue supplemental revenue and underwriting options.
Westborough TV’s board briefed the Select Board on a projected multi‑year shortfall Wednesday and asked the town for help narrowing a funding gap that could exhaust reserves in fiscal 2026.
Steve Hart, board chair of Westborough TV, said subscriber losses and the migration to streaming have reduced the cable revenue stream that funds the locally run PEG service. Using current contract revenue and conservative expense growth, the station projected reserves could be depleted in FY26 and identified a potential worst‑case shortfall near $190,000 in that year. The board said negotiations with Charter (and possible knock‑on effects to the Verizon contract) could improve the outlook, but that outcome is uncertain.
Board members reviewed alternatives they studied: increased grantseeking (about $22,000 in grants secured so far in the current year), capital transactions (sale/leaseback of the station building, which drew an estimated net near $100,000 over five years), program sponsorship under underwriting rules, service reductions, and possible integration into a town department. Board members emphasized preserving editorial independence while examining service‑level agreements or memoranda of understanding to define town expectations.
After discussion the Select Board voted to authorize Town Manager Tom Manchin to negotiate an FY26 agreement with Westborough TV and return a proposed arrangement to the board for consideration. The motion asked manager and staff to consider potential service‑level expectations, continued pursuit of alternative revenues, and protections for the station’s editorial independence.
Select Board members said they supported continuing conversations with state representatives about broader streaming‑fee legislation, encouraged Westborough TV to expand grant and sponsorship efforts where lawful, and asked for a plan that would identify any material town contribution in the FY26 budget process.
The board’s authorization does not itself appropriate funds; it directs the manager to negotiate terms and bring back a written agreement for board approval.
