Wakefield’s Community Access Television service, known by the acronym WCAT, has been in operation since 1990. Like most cable-access stations in Massachusetts, WCAT is currently funded through fees collected from local cable television providers. As consumers continue to “cut the cord” and end their traditional cable subscriptions, the funds received from these providers is decreasing. Wakefield’s Cable Advisory Committee is exploring how to sustain WCAT’s services and asks community members to take a brief survey to help guide their strategy. Understanding what is most important to our community members can also assist when the Town next negotiates its contracts with Wakefield’s cable providers.

WCAT, headquartered in the Wakefield Memorial High School building, operates two channels: the Public Channel, which airs youth sports games, community-interest shows, public-service announcements, and local event coverage; and the Government Channel, which airs Town Meeting, municipal committee meetings, and community infosessions. This programming is available on local cable channels and can also be viewed via WCAT’s website and YouTube channel. In addition to creating video programming, WCAT operates a podcast studio and video studio and offers the community use of its editing and production equipment.

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1. How do you currently access information about news and events? (Select all that apply)

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2. How do you prefer to access information about Wakefield-specific news and events? (Select all that apply)

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3. Would you prefer to receive Wakefield-based news and information in a way not currently offered?
If so, how would you prefer to receive it?

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4. WCAT's video media services include content on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, X, traditional cable, Roku, on-demand, and via their website. How often do you watch/use WCAT's video media services?

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5. How important is it for you to access the following types of local information through WCAT's media platforms?

  Not at all important Slightly important Neutral Moderately important Extremely important
Town government meetings and decisions
Local events and activities
School and educational news
Public safety / police and fire updates
Road construction and infrastructure updates
Recreation, parks, and trails information
Local business news and information
Environmental issues
Youth sports and programs
Emergency alerts
Local human-interest stories

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6. How do you watch the Public and Government channels on WCAT? (Select all that apply)

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7. What style of local media content do you prefer from WCAT?

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8. What is the biggest gap in local media coverage right now?

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9. Have there been recent local events you wish were covered by WCAT that were not?

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10. Should WCAT need to decrease local coverage due to funding limitations, which events would you like to prioritize to be covered? Please prioritise with 1 being highest priority and 5 being lowest priority. (Slide the answer tiles or use the arrows to create your priority list.)

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11. How often would you like to receive local news updates from WCAT?

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12. What choices do you have when selecting your cable provider?

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13. Like most cable-access stations in Massachusetts, WCAT is currently funded through fees collected from local cable television providers. As consumers continue to “cut the cord” and end their traditional cable subscriptions, the funds received from these providers is decreasing. Do you feel that WCAT should receive funds from Wakefield's municipal fees or other revenues to cover operational and equipment expenses?

Demographics

Tell us about yourself! The following questions will help us get a better understanding of who is participating in this survey. All answers are optional and will be kept confidential.

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14. What best describes your affiliation to Wakefield?

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15. What is your age?

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16. Are any members of your household students in grades K to 12?

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