HomeMy WebLinkAboutA012 - Motion directing staff to notify Mediacom Communications that the City of Ames is relinquishing Government Access Channel 12 and Public Access Channel 16ITEM #:13
DATE:07-14-26
DEPT:CMO
SUBJECT:GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL 12 AND
PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL 16
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Mediacom Communications maintains a cable television system within Ames and throughout
Iowa. For many years, the City of Ames negotiated an individual franchise agreement with
Medicom. However, in 2007, the State of Iowa began negotiating a statewide franchise
agreement that applied to all municipalities, replacing individually negotiated contracts. In both
City of Ames and State of Iowa agreements, the City was provided with a government access
station (Channel 12) and a public access station (Channel 16).
Over the past several years, the telecommunications landscape has changed
significantly. Cable television subscriptions have steadily declined as residents
increasingly consume information through online and mobile platforms. Many public
entities that once relied on government or public access channels have already
discontinued their broadcasts in favor of digital communications that provide broader
reach, greater accessibility, and measurable audience engagement.
In response, the City has shifted its communications strategy to meet resident
preferences. City Council meetings and other public meetings are streamed live on
Facebook and YouTube, where they remain available for on-demand viewing. These
platforms provide convenient access on computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart
televisions while also offering viewing metrics that help evaluate audience
engagement.
In addition to live meeting coverage, the Communications and Outreach Division has
intentionally moved away from traditional long-format programming in favor of concise,
topic-focused videos. Current informational videos typically range from approximately 20
seconds to less than five minutes, reflecting current viewing habits and allowing residents to
quickly access information on specific topics.
By comparison, government access cable programming was developed around long-format
content, often consisting of 30-minute programs or documentaries, concerts, or performances
that could last several hours.
Maintaining the government access channel requires several hours of staff time each week to
prepare, schedule, and manage programming. Given the City's transition to digital platforms
and the lack of available audience data for cable broadcasts, this staff investment is becoming
increasingly difficult to justify. Therefore, staff is requesting approval to notify Mediacom
that the City of Ames is voluntarily relinquishing Government Access Channel 12 and
Public Access Channel 16 effective on a mutually agreed upon date.
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PUBLIC OUTREACH:
To gauge public interest before making a recommendation, the Communications and
Outreach Division broadcast notification of a possible change. During several weeks in
June, public service announcements aired on Channel 12 informing viewers that the
City was considering discontinuing cable broadcasts and inviting comments. No
comments or concerns were received.
Following that effort, programming on Channel 12 was replaced with a static message
informing viewers that the City is considering ending broadcasts and providing contact
information for feedback. This notification will continue for one additional week. If no
comments or concerns are received during that period, staff believes there is sufficient
indication that discontinuing the channels will have minimal impact on the community.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Direct staff to notify Mediacom Communications that the City wishes to relinquish the
Government and Public Access channels.
2. Refer this item back to staff for further information.
3. Do nothing, and continue to maintain the City's Government and Public Access
channels.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The manner in which people access information changes over time, and the City must
adapt its communications strategy with these changes. Because City Council meetings
and other public meetings are streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, they remain
available for on-demand viewing. These platforms provide convenient access on
computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart televisions while also offering viewing
metrics that help evaluate audience engagement. Because of the staff time involved in
maintaining public access stations and the lack of comments received about
discontinuing, this change should have minimal impact on the community. Therefore, it
is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1, as
described above.
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