TV30 Retreat
I joined with Mayors Wilson (San Ramon), Kamena (Livermore), and Hosterman (Pleasanton) for a four hour summit on the future of Tri-Valley Community Teleivision (TV30). One of the biggest problems facing the station is DIVCA, which was an act passed by Congress in 2006 that prevents cities from using their franchise fees for operational expenses of community television stations. Franchise revenue can only be used for capital expenses. This has a severe impact locally, as the vast majority of the station’s operating revenue comes from the franchise. We discussed ways to participate in lobbying efforts to overturn DIVCA, along with alternative revenue sources and ways to manage the operations both with and without constraints caused by DIVCA. Expanded programming, web streaming and enhancements, and the development of a capital plan were other points of discussion.
In addition, we discussed the station’s governance structure. Previously, the station was governed by a Board of Directors consisting of community volunteers appointed by the mayors. When the station ran into some major financial problems in 2008, the Mayors took over the Board. It was decided that due to the uncertain economic climate and a number of issues that still need to be resolved regarding the future of the station, that the Mayors would retain their position as the Board of Directors for at least another six months until we revisit the issue.
