CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Receive the report regarding the history of Naperville Community Television Channel 17 and future funding alternatives
body
DEPARTMENT: Finance Department
SUBMITTED BY: Raymond Munch, Finance Director and Linda LaCloche, Communications Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Under New Business at the May 21, 2024 meeting, the City Council directed staff to bring a report back to the June 18 meeting that outlines current funding sources and future alternatives for Naperville Community Television Channel 17 (NCTV17).
DISCUSSION:
Founded in 1987, NCTV17 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering hyper-local news coverage of the people, places and perspectives in the Naperville community.
Financial Support
Annually, the City provides financial support to NCTV17 through three primary sources.
The first funding source is shared cable television revenue. This revenue is collected from cable companies and passed through to NCTV17.
The second is payments for City services. The City began contracting with NCTV17 to broadcast City Council meetings and workshops, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Transportation Advisory Board meetings, and maintain, repair, and trouble-shoot audio-visual equipment as well as assist with audio-visual projects and upgrades. The contract also includes video production services for City communication projects such as the annual State of the City production. The contract was most recently before the City Council in 2020 with automatic annual renewals unless either party gives notice to terminate.
The third source is funding through the Special Events and Community Arts (SECA) Grant program. NCTV17 is categorized as a City Obligation and has, on occasion, also been awarded discretionary SECA grant funds.
Historical Support
Over the past five years, annual City support for NCTV17 has remained relatively consistent. Although cable television revenue declined...
Click here for full text