City Council drops idea for new Chattanooga Channel

The City Council in Chattanooga, Tenn., has voted down a plan to contribute $275,000 to WTCI/Tennessee Valley PBS to launch a Chattanooga Channel, reports the Chattanoogan. Paul Grove, WTCI president, had proposed that all City Council meetings, including committees, would be aired live and streamed on a website. Grove said the channel would bring new "access and transparency" to city government. Councilwoman Pam Ladd said the channel "is a wonderful idea," but not a priority at this time. The council will pay WTCI $60,000 to continue televising its meetings; the county is dropping that spending.