Two community media nonprofits in Sacramento are actively pursuing a merger to safeguard their operations as a critical budget proposal threatens funding essential for local programming and educational initiatives. Access Sacramento and the Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium (SECC) believe that consolidating their resources is vital to preserving student media education and community-focused content.
The urgency surrounding their merger comes as projections from county staff indicate a significant decline in cable revenue. Leaders of both organizations postponed a planned vote in September, allowing them additional time to finalize merger details and secure funding requests. The outcome of their efforts will rely heavily on a meeting of the Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission scheduled for Thursday at 14:30.
Budget Cuts and Revenue Declines
According to The Sacramento Bee, the commission’s proposed budget includes substantial cuts to grants that support local nonprofits. In response, Access Sacramento and SECC have requested that the county maintain their Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) and operational funding through fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. The county staff has modeled revenue declines of 15%, 20%, and 25%, which could result in available cable revenue dropping from approximately $8 million next year to around $5 million by the end of the decade.
Joe Barr, board chair of Access Sacramento, expressed concerns about the budget discussions, noting that the commission’s executive director, Shawn Ayala, had not convened meetings with both organizations before the budget proposals were made public. This lack of communication has intensified worries regarding the sustainability of community media.
Details of the Proposed Merger
The proposed integration would create a single, modern media organization, with SECC acting as the primary governing body while incorporating Access Sacramento’s staff, programs, and assets. This transition aims to enhance school-focused services and expand community media offerings, shifting from a cable-only model to a digital-first approach that prioritizes streaming and workforce development.
In their official funding update, the nonprofits emphasized the importance of retaining 100% of their PEG and operational funding during this transition period. This funding is critical for both organizations as they navigate the challenges posed by declining cable revenue and seek to innovate their service delivery.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission plays a pivotal role in managing local public media, including Metro Cable 14, and meets quarterly to approve budget allocations. At a recent commission meeting, staff presented various revenue scenarios that indicated potential declines, contributing to the budget proposal that has put nonprofit funding at risk.
Access Sacramento operates channels 17 and 18 and offers low-cost media classes, equipment loans, and studio access. These services are crucial for neighborhood storytelling and media training. The merger aims to protect these educational initiatives and gradually diversify funding sources to ensure long-term sustainability.
As the commission meeting approaches, local supporters are encouraged to submit comments to the commission clerk, Danielle Beshears, advocating for the maintenance of PEG and operational funding through FY2026-27. The meeting will be available for viewing on Metro Cable 14 or through the commission’s livestream, marking a critical moment for the future of public media in Sacramento.
