Acton TV says town will continue cable funding; board explores new high‑school studio

Acton TV’s executive director said the Town of Acton’s select board has voted to continue the memorandum of understanding that directs locally collected cable subscription fees to Acton TV for another three years, with a possible additional seven years to be considered at town meeting.

At the station’s Dec. 3 annual meeting, Mark said about 95% of Acton TV’s historic funding comes from cable subscription revenue that first goes to the town, and noted the station’s funding has fallen as viewers move to streaming. He described the select board vote as important to the station’s near‑term finances and thanked the town for continued support.

Mark also outlined ongoing discussions with Acton‑Boxborough Regional High School leadership about building a new studio on the high school campus. He said the proposed studio would reduce leased space from about 4,800 square feet to roughly 3,300 square feet, cutting a substantial portion of current lease costs while allowing greater integration of Acton TV with school classes and hands‑on student learning. Mark said the project is still under discussion and could be targeted for 2026–2027, but that many details remain unresolved.

The announcements were framed as steps to mitigate declining subscription revenue and to deepen the station’s partnership with local schools. Mark emphasized that lease savings and tighter school collaboration were the main drivers for moving, and that a kitchen set and some member uses would be preserved if possible.

Neither a final funding schedule nor specific construction or financing plans were presented at the meeting; Mark said he would provide updates as those details are developed.