The Oshkosh Media building. March 9, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Oshkosh Media’s “Life TV” and 101.9 radio station will no longer be produced in the Oshkosh Media building.
The city is changing the space to become a hub for its new Communication and Engagement Division.
“Our team members who have supported Oshkosh Media, they’re part of our team,” said Communications and Engagement Manager Drew Bailey. “They’re part of the Communications and Engagement team. Because they’re part of our team, we have to realign or reprioritize different tasks and responsibilities.”
The focus of the expansion is to introduce a central community contact point for residents. The new division plans to operate all city communication in-house. Previously, the city outsourced its media notices and social media to third-parties.
“We’ve been paying these third-party organizations. Now that we actually have this division, we don’t have to do that anymore and we can save a lot of money in that capacity,” Bailey said.
That growth means dissolving much of Oshkosh Media’s operations. Programs that were filmed in the studio will need to find a new space come May.
Since we’re bringing in these team members and expanding this division, we also don’t have the space to house these different things.
Volunteer producers of shows on its “Life TV” channel says they didn’t see this coming.
“I’m in shock,” said Michael Hert. “Because these shows are a part of our tradition here in Oshkosh. It’s a way that we’re able to share awareness of different issues. Like, for example, my show, we focus on veterans.”
John Nieman echoed Hert’s sentiment.
“I’m still floored at the time frame of this,” he said. “Drew goes to a board meeting, tells the board that Oshkosh Media is no longer and then sends an email out to us. Not a phone call, an email. There was no communication at all.”
Bailey stressed the decision wasn’t made around money or costs. He added Oshkosh Media will continue to cover Common Council and committee meetings as usual.
Producers of Oshkosh Media shows wrote a letter to the city and plan to voice concerns at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.
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