Franklin TV: MASSachusetts MEDIA - Should we charge for streaming sports?

Sports – & Tech – & Us

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/29/2026

Mass communication became a reality with the rise of radio after The Great War. Since then, sports coverage and technology have enjoyed a long, mutually beneficial relationship. Radio brought us the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the booth announcer’s excitement. After WW 2 we embraced TV. We could hear and see the action unfolding – live – as it happened.

Note: A baseball game was first ‘televised’ as early as 1926 by Hollis Baird via an experimental, 32 line TV system– from Fenway Park. The fact that you couldn’t see the ball at that low image resolution? Hey, he tried.

The de facto formation of a sports & media complex brought more energy and money to major leagues and major networks. The tech march continued with color TV in the late fifties, and eventually HDTV in 1997. (Now you could see the hockey puck.)

Along the way instant replays became common, and these days, even mission critical in validating the play action. From the batter’s box to the 1st down line, inches matter. Now computer graphics underscore details of the play action. During half-time NFL coaches use video to analyze the opposing team’s play and make adjustments.

Today, the only significant regular programming that remains truly live is sports. Almost everything else is recorded in advance. We at Franklin.TV know the power of sports at the local level. School sports is becoming part of the sports & media complex with licensing deals between schools, regional, state and national distributors – and as local community TV studios, we are slowly being forced off the field. First, for the big season playoff games – and eventually, the day may arrive where we can no longer carry school sports.

Where money is involved, what we’ve offered for years – for free – for everyone – may be constrained to those who can afford to subscribe to streaming services. Our own sports streams remain free – for now. Viewers who drop cable and ‘cut the cord’ can see our games, but we see no revenue as our annual budget continues to erode. Should we charge for streaming sports?

And – as always –

Thank you for watching.

Thanks for listening to wfpr●fm, 

and staying informed at Franklin●news. 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Producers Series: Talking with Vibe about music, public radio, and podcasting (audio)

FM #1700 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1700 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with David Butler, also known as “Vibe”. Vibe started with one show, Turntables (The Turntable Show), in conjunction with Pauly G, and now does a separate (podcast) show called “The Vibe”. You can listen to both at wfpr.fm or on Soundcloud. We had our discussion at the Franklin TV Studios on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

 

We talk about 

• Creation of The Vibe experience

• The fun place to explore and learn at Franklin Public Radio

• Show development, how they come to be

• If you have an interest reach out

If you are interested in doing a project in video or audio, contact the studio with your idea. Info@Franklin.tv or info@wfpr.fm 

The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Vibe.

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1700-producer-series-the-vibe-03-12-26/

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Franklin Public Radio - https://wfpr.fm/ 

Franklin TV webpage - https://franklin.tv/ 

You can listen to one or more of The Vibe’s shows on Soundcloud

https://soundcloud.com/wfpr/sets/the-vibe

You can listen to The Turntable show on Soundcloud

https://soundcloud.com/wfpr/sets/the-turntable-show 

My intro to Rhiannon Giddens - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbeekjZP-CI 

The mash up of Blackbird and Little Blue “Blackbird Blue”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-LVkm6g4gA 

Jacob Collier’s “Little Blue” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2zLSkhANSY

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin TV schedule for Friday, March 27, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Franklin Art Association: Rachael Diamond Calow

8:30 am Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 2

10:00 am Aging Boldfully: LiveStrong

11:00 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 1

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Pies

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 8

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Spring 2019 Show 2

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

4:30 pm The Black Box: A Magical Night of Disney Classics

5:30 pm Metrowest Summit 02-26-26

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Garnet Rogers

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Jazz Cafe 03-06-26

8:30 am Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture

9:30 am All-Town Chorus & Orchestra 2026

11:00 am FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

2:00 pm FHS Concert Hour 02-26-26

4:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Mansfield 01-27-26

8:30 pm FHS Theater Company: Legally Blonde

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY

8:00 am  Zoning Board of Appeals 03-05-26

2:00 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals 03-05-26

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Quattro Eroi Lodge cooking shows feature Italian recipes (video)

via Quattro Eroi Lodge 1414 Sons of Italy, Franklin MA

"A couple of years ago, the Lodge produced two cooking shows. I thought it might be interesting to post those shows here again for anyone who might have missed them. 

Here are the original posts from 2023 including the links to YouTube:

I am very happy to present the first of our 2 most recent cooking shows! This one features Lisa Oxford preparing a vegetable stew. It is both a healthy and delicious dish and relatively easy to make. 

You can watch the show on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj0UzRAnakw

I hope you enjoyed Lisa's presentation and I hope you tried the recipe. It's delicious! You might want to follow the Ciambotta with a great dessert! Our next presentation features Dora Brett making Italian Ricotta Cookies. 

They are so moist and delicious! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg1J1r2xtHQ"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16yw8pmEV4/

Franklin TV schedule for Thursday, March 26, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = THURSDAY

9:30 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Alan Young

11:33 am Cooking Thyme: Spring

12:03 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:35 pm Cooking with Linda: Pies

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 8

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Spring 2019 Show 2

3:30 pm Aging Boldfully: LiveStrong

4:30 pm Veterans' Call: Dave Hencke

5:30 pm The Black Box: Newsies

7:00 pm Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 2

8:00 pm Celebrate with Pride 2025: Toby

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Garnet Rogers

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = THURSDAY

9:30 am     All-Town Band Showcase 2026

11:00 am FHS Concert Hour 02-26-26

2:00 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

4:00 pm Rec Basketball: 6 - 8th Grade Girls 03-07-26

5:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v King Philip 12-17-25

9:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Legally Blonde

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = THURSDAY

8:00 am Conservation Commission 03-12-26

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 03-12-26

7:00 pm Conservation Commission  CHAMBERS  814 3925 3890

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

School Committee gets update on Lifelong Learning (video)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 PM. This was a change from prior meetings (starting at 6 PM) to enable their budget subcommittee to meet at 6 PM before the full session at 7. 

All 7 members of the Committee were present in Chambers

The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/uQe3rLUq6e8?&t=87

The agenda for this session - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-2201

My full set of notes taken during the meeting in one PDF -  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZuJSdiqLK1QBa9NdcjVsk5KVX7AH2MX3/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• Students scheduled for the pledge got to the meeting for the incorrect 6 PM start and will be rescheduled to another meeting
• Superintendent's report
• substitute nurses being looked for
• Winter sports round up
• earmark funded for middle school library (still needs to make through the budget cycle)
• Innovation labs grant also awarded
• FHS family science night April 9 from 5 to 8 pm
• Lifelong learning update
• For Solutions, the students to teacher ratios; K - 1 to 10, others grades are 1 to 12, 1 to 13
• Footlighters program hiring for, trying to fulfill that position, complications in the hiring process had hindered the hiring to date. Still being worked
• Over 900 adults taking part, a wide variety of offerings from sports to arts, etc.
• Funding question, Lifelong learning is effectively another revolving fund, fee based and those fees can only be used within the program
• Discussion/Action Items
• A.   Student Opportunities Act Plan Vote
• B. Endorsement of Request for Statement of Interest for Development of Strategic Plan
• both passed by 7-0 votes
• Subcommittee updates
• Citizen comment - I stepped up to say thanks for the participation at the Q&A and to provide 2 future dates for their calendars
• April 18, Favorite Poem Reading at the Library 
• On May 2, the 3rd annual Jane Jacobs walk, meet at the TV studio walk about 1 mile or so, return to the studio. Discussions of housing, zoning, which are all budget related. It is a generally good discussion with insights shared

Photo album of the slides presented for Lifelong Learning

https://photos.app.goo.gl/adaJ3sZeYK5ih5t28

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am     Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture

8:30 am United Methodist Church: Michael Rivelis

10:00 am Franklin Art Association: Rachael Diamond Calow

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Spring

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Pies

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 8

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Spring 2019 Show 2

3:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Alan Young

6:00 pm Metrowest Summit 02-26-26

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Garnet Rogers

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am All-Town Band Showcase 2026

8:30 am Jazz Cafe 03-06-26

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports

11:00 am All-Town Chorus & Orchestra 2026

1:30 pm     FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v King Philip 12-17-25

4:00 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

8:00 pm Rec Basketball: 6 - 8th Grade Girls 03-07-26

10:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Mansfield 01-27-26

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council 03-18-26

1:00 pm Town Council 03-18-26

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA