Wenham Select Board Approves 10-Year Comcast Cable License in Unanimous Vote

WENHAM -- October 21, 2025, Wenham Select Board unanimously renews 10-year Comcast cable license, more than tripling capital payments. The board voted 5-0 at its October 21 meeting to approve the cable television renewal license with Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC, running November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2035. Cable counsel Attorney Solomon told the board the new per-subscriber capital structure, $1.25 per subscriber per month, will generate an estimated $73,650 over the license term, compared to $21,660 under the prior flat-fee arrangement, based on Comcast's reported 491 Wenham subscribers at year-end 2024. The license maintains a 5 percent gross revenue fee, the maximum under federal law, flowing to Hamilton Wenham Community Access Media. Board member Ben Timon questioned the 10-year commitment given annual subscriber losses of roughly 7 percent, but Solomon argued that "there's no better time now to lock in" favorable terms before the competitive and legal environment weakens further. The board also voted unanimously to approve two side letters covering an expanded senior discount and future high-definition PEG channel placement, and separately appointed Jean Boudreau to the Hamilton Wenham Cultural Council through June 30, 2028.