OSHKOSH − That was quite the plot twist: Channel 2 isn’t facing a season finale anytime soon.
Life TV won’t go off the air after all, after the Common Council approved a motion to keep the nearly 40-year-old public access channel as a content distribution platform just three weeks after initially rejecting the same amendment.
Faced with a resolution to discontinue Channel 2 for the second time in three weeks, council voted 4-3 in favor of an amended resolution that reduces the city’s responsibility for Life TV at the Aug. 4 meeting.
“To me, the public aspect of this initiative is part of the importance,” said Council Member Alec Lefeber, who supported the motion after previously voting against it July 14.
“Life TV gives residents access to a public platform. Even if they don’t have professional equipment, financial resources, influence or an established audience, that opportunity has real value and should not be dismissed,” Lefeber added.
What Oshkosh Life TV viewers and producers need to know
Life TV will continue airing on Spectrum, but most of the channel’s responsibilities will shift to local producers because they will no longer have access to Oshkosh Media studio support.
The city’s role is now limited to maintaining Channel 2 and scheduling approved programming “without providing production, recording, editing or post-production support.”
Local producers will need to find places to record, edit and produce their own content before sending it to the city to be uploaded to Channel 2.
The Oshkosh Public Library was previously discussed as a possible recording option, but neither Library Director Darryl Eschete nor Communications and Engagement Manager Drew Bailey was on hand to provide updates at the meeting.
Why Oshkosh considered ending Life TV on Channel 2
The city first revealed plans to end Life TV and move Oshkosh 101.9 FM out of the Oshkosh Media building back in March to make way for a restructured Communications and Engagement department.
But Bailey and City Manager Rebecca Grill initially walked back those plans after strong public backlash before extending the timeline for a final transition on three separate occasions.
Sept. 1 had been floated as the latest transition date, but Council Member Paul Esslinger asked the council last month to consider keeping Life TV and shifting most of the channel’s responsibilities to local producers in an amended resolution.
That motion failed in a split 3-3 vote in the absence of Deputy Mayor Karl Buelow before Esslinger successfully brought the resolution back to the floor.
Who will be affected by the Oshkosh Life TV changes?
Local programming such as “The Place To Be Oshkosh,” “The Outpost” and “Eye on Oshkosh,” which previously relied heavily on the city’s production assistance and studio space, is now transitioning to spaces at the library.
“Spread the news, WE WON,” wrote local producer John Nieman in a Facebook post mere minutes after the vote. “Thank you to the brave council members who stood up this evening and listened to us, the citizens.”
Common Council, Oshkosh Area School District and Winnebago County Board meetings will continue airing on Gov TV Channel 10, while church services broadcast on Life TV already have their own YouTube channels.
Events such as Oshkosh’s Memorial Day procession likely won’t be televised going forward.
Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Inside the vote that kept Oshkosh Life TV on Channel 2
Reporting by Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern | USA TODAY Network
