Council announces details on plans to save Seattle Channel programming, create plan for continued success

Seattle City Council PresidentSara Nelsonand CouncilmemberDan Strauss(District 6, Chair of the Select Budget Committee) announced a two-pronged approach to restore full funding for the Seattle Channel and convene a workgroup of experts to suggest long-term solutions for its continued success.

"The Seattle Channel needs sustainable and dedicated funding going forward and Seattle Channel employees and content providers need certainty," said Council President Nelson. "We don't want to lose the talent that has made the small but mighty Seattle Channel the indispensable public service that it is," said Council President Nelson.

"Now, more than ever, it's crucial we invest in government accountability and transparency. The Seattle Channel plays a crucial role in that work. We need to ensure it's both fully funded and do everything we can as to make sure it's successful in its mission to engage, inform, and inspire the community. I'm proud that we're united as a city to do this important work," said Councilmember Strauss.

The Seattle Channel's funding currently depends on cable-television fees. Due to a long-term decrease in the number of people buying cable services and associated declining revenues, the Seattle Channel was facing a $1.6 million budget reduction in 2025 and 2026. That funding was preserved as part of the Chair's Balancing Package.

How it works

Council President Nelson is proposing legislation that directs the Executive to establish an ongoing, dedicated funding plan for Seattle Channel operations and capital expenses using funding sources that include but are not limited to a minimum of 50% of existing Cable TV Franchise Fee revenues, departmental cost allocations, and General Fund dollars appropriated exclusively to covering public meeting production costs. That will ensure the channel is able to continue to produce its award-winning original programming, in addition to its regular coverage of Council meeting and city events.

That legislation works together with a Statement of Legislative Intent, sponsored by Councilmember Strauss, that will create an expert workgroup recommending ways the City can better support the Seattle Channel's mission and allow it to maintain its independence. The workgroup will be created as a partnership between the Council, mayor's office, and the Seattle Channel. It is structured similarly to the Seattle Commission on Electronic Communication that recommended a roadmap for the creation of the Seattle Channel in 2001. The workgroups recommendations will help inform future legislation.

What's next

The workgroup is requested to deliver recommendations to the Council and the Mayor by June 30. The legislation requests that the Mayor's Office submit legislation, informed by the workgroup, to Council by Sept. 3, 2025.

Both pieces of legislation will be voted on in the coming days as part of the City Council's ongoing budget process. The full Council is expected to take a final vote on both next Thursday, Nov. 21.

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