OSHKOSH – Local media producers are getting another extension — this one of the indefinite kind.
The city no longer appears to have a set timeline for the futures of Life TV and Oshkosh 101.9 FM, saying a final transition from both entities “will not take place in June.”
In an email obtained by the Northwestern, Oshkosh Communications and Engagement Manager Drew Bailey advised local producers they should continue with any planned use of Oshkosh Media scheduled in June.
What did Bailey say in the email?
“We are hopeful that we will be able to share a more formal update by the end of this month, along with additional information about next steps and any potential transition planning,” Bailey wrote in the communication.
The news comes two months after the city revealed plans to end its public-access cable channel and move the radio station out of the Oshkosh Media building to make way for a restructured Communications and Engagement division by May 15.
Bailey and Oshkosh City Manager Rebecca Grill initially walked back those plans following huge public backlash before Common Council extended the timeline to the end of May during a city workshop last month.
“To clarify, the goal is to have a decision made regarding next steps by the end of May, if possible — not to complete a full transition by that time,” wrote Bailey in the email to local producers.
“We may not have a final decision by that deadline, depending on discussions with potential partners, but we expect to have a clearer understanding of the available options.”
Why does the city want to move Life TV and 101.9 FM?
Bailey previously explained moving Life TV and Oshkosh 101.9 FM production out of the Oshkosh Media would facilitate increasing his department’s staff from three to eight.
The new Communications and Engagement division is also looking to dedicate more man hours toward social media management instead of relying on third parties.
According to Bailey, staff spends 45 hours weekly supporting Life TV, 101.9 FM and Gov TV.
What are the options facing the city?
In last month’s Common Council workshop, both Bailey and Oshkosh Library Director Darryl Eschete appeared to be buoyed at possibly moving Oshkosh 101.9 FM into third-floor spaces at the public library.
Eschete added that WOCT-LP’s broadcast equipment doesn’t take up much of a footprint, saying the city could also consider leaving the station’s antenna in its current location given Oshkosh’s fiber optic network.
Are there any proposals for Life TV?
Saying the best scenario is finding someone to take over Channel 2, Bailey previously presented council with four options, which include fully transitioning Life TV to online platforms like YouTube and Instagram.
Bailey also floated the idea of moving Channel 2 into another city space like the Oshkosh Seniors Center, as Eschete said the library couldn’t pivot the building that fast without serious planning.
Under Bailey’s ideal option, the city would transfer ownership of Life TV to an “external partner,” allowing local producers to continue airing content on the public-access channel while freeing the city of producing responsibilities.
“We’ve had several productive meetings so far with interested parties to become partners for both the radio station and Life TV, and those conversations have been encouraging,” Bailey wrote in the email to local producers.
“While no final decisions have been made yet, we are continuing to make progress,” he added.
Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh delays transition for Life TV and 101.9 FM
Reporting by Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
