City of Wilmington Affirms Commitment to Public Access Television Amid Budget Adjustments

March 4, 2025

Officials Address Concerns, Confirm Continued Support for Comcast Channel 28 and DETV

In response to recent discussions surrounding DETV’s role as the City of Wilmington’s Third-Party Operator (TPO) for Comcast Channel 28, city officials are making it clear: public access television is here to stay.

Despite financial challenges faced by municipalities nationwide, Wilmington’s leadership, including the City Council and the Cable, Video, and Telecommunications (CVT) Commission, remains committed to preserving public access programming. However, with declining Comcast cable subscriptions leading to a projected $2.1 million shortfall in the CVT Fund over the next five years, adjustments to operational expenses are necessary.

To address these budgetary constraints, the CVT Commission has renegotiated its agreement with DETV. Under the pending terms, DETV will retain full access to Comcast Channel 28 and continue serving as Wilmington’s public access provider. The primary adjustment concerns DETV’s second studio, located on the third floor of its current building.

While the City will no longer cover rent, utilities, or equipment costs for this additional space, it has committed to fully funding the transfer of equipment to DETV’s primary first-floor studio. Additionally, the Commission has agreed to reimburse DETV up to $20,000 for any unforeseen expenses related to the transition.

It is crucial to emphasize that DETV’s operational funding remains unchanged. Like many public access stations across the country, DETV has developed independent revenue streams to sustain its operations. This funding model aligns with industry standards, ensuring long-term sustainability in an evolving media landscape.

Furthermore, city officials stress that Wilmington has never directly funded DETV but has historically covered facility-related expenses for the organization’s secondary studio. During contract negotiations, DETV acknowledged that while the additional studio was beneficial, it was not essential to their operations. This affirmation provided the CVT Commission with confidence to reallocate resources while maintaining public access television services.

For those seeking further clarity, the full, unedited Wilmington Cable, Video, and Telecommunications Commission Meeting from February 28, 2025, is available for public viewing on WITN 22’s YouTube page. To watch the meeting in its entirety, visit: https://youtube.com/live/AkWeN3f59ww

City officials encourage residents to stay informed and engage in constructive dialogue. Wilmington remains steadfast in its commitment to public access programming, ensuring that community voices continue to be heard while maintaining responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.