Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Chair of the Select Budget Committee, announced a proposal this morning to restore funding for the award-winning Seattle Channel and a process for charting a course for the channel’s continued success.  

“The Seattle Channel is a crucial part of our civic life. It’s a place where Seattleites get unfiltered access to their elected leaders, where journalists hold us accountable, and where anyone is able to engage with the arts scene that makes our city so special. We need to do more than just fund its award-winning programming, we need to ensure the channel’s long-term fiscal sustainability and continued independence,” said Councilmember Strauss.

“I applaud Councilmember Strauss for advancing a collaborative approach dedicated to identifying a sustainable, long-term path forward for Seattle Channel’s original programming,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Recognizing the impact of declining cable franchise fees on funding, this workgroup will bring new ideas and explore solutions to promote the thoughtful civic discourse and local programming fostered by the Seattle Channel’s talented team.” 

Background

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.  

While primary programming of government affairs (live Council meetings, press conferences, community forums) would continue, this reduction would have led to six Seattle Channel staff being laid 

off and the elimination of original programming, such as “City Inside/Out” hosted by Brian Callanan, “Art Zone” hosted by Nancy Guppy, and Book Lust hosted by Nancy Pearl.  

What the legislation does

Councilmember Strauss intends to bring forward legislation doing two key things:  

1. Restore Seattle Channel’s funding: Councilmember Strauss will include legislation restoring Seattle Channel’s funding in his Chair’s Balancing Package. The proposal would fully restore Seattle Channel’s funding for original programming and prevent layoffs of its staff.  

2. Chart a course for Seattle Channel’s future: Councilmember Strauss also intends to bring forward legislation creating an expert work group to recommend ways to create a sustainable future for the Seattle Channel that allows it to maintain its independence. Among other things, this process will identify more secure funding sources for the channel.  

What’s next?

The Chair’s Balancing Package, which includes the funding restoration, will be discussed tomorrow during the Select Budget Committees 9:30 AM meeting. That meeting will, as is standard, be broadcast live on the award-winning Seattle Channel.  

The legislation to create an expert working group is scheduled to be introduced in November.  

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