Oshkosh Common Council Communications & Engagement Workshop 6/16/26

The Oshkosh Common Council Communications & Engagement Workshop held on June 16, 2026, focused primarily on the future of Oshkosh Media's services, particularly the potential discontinuation of Life TV, the city's public access television channel. The council discussed efforts to find external partners to take over Life TV operations, which ultimately fell through, leading to consideration of alternative options such as a digital-first model or providing space and equipment for producers to continue independently. The radio station partnership with the Oshkosh Public Library was nearing contract finalization and viewed positively. Council members debated the value of maintaining Life TV given staffing constraints, ADA compliance challenges, and resource allocation priorities. While there was support for continuing Life TV, the consensus leaned toward a full transition by August 15, 2026, with ongoing support for producers to maintain their content digitally. The meeting concluded with a call for a timely decision to reduce staff workload and clarify the division's future direction.