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Simsbury Community Media urges donations after subscription revenue drops
Summary
During the Simsbury High School commencement broadcast, a representative for Simsbury Community Media said the nonprofit's funding has fallen as viewers move away from television subscriptions and asked viewers to donate via the website or QR code to sustain local programming and government meeting coverage.
Simsbury Community Media (SEM), which broadcasts local programming and town government meetings, aired an appeal during the graduation broadcast saying its funding model based on television subscriptions has weakened as more residents move to internet-only viewing. The representative said SEM "receives less revenue" despite making programming freely available online and asked viewers to "join us in preserving Simsberry's voice" by donating through the organization's website or by scanning a QR code shown on screen.
The appeal described SEM as operating for "over 40 years" as a source of local programming, education and live broadcasts, and framed donations as essential to continuing coverage of local government meetings and community events. The message emphasized that SEM helps ensure "our voices are heard during government meetings" and preserves local history, and it urged attendees and viewers to contribute "to ensure that SEM remains open, continues to educate our youth and keeps our community informed." The representative asked for support multiple times and directed listeners to the website or QR code for donations.
The transcript does not include the name or title of the person delivering the appeal; attribution in this report is to an SEM representative as recorded in the program. The appeal was delivered as part of the ceremony's broadcast material and did not include details about current revenues, specific budget shortfalls, or a fundraising target.
