The municipal government in Dawson City, Yukon, will permanently shut down its publicly-owned cable television service on May 31, 2026. This decision marks the end of a four-decade era of local government involvement in television broadcasting, as the city moves to phase out the system in favour of modern alternatives.
The cable service, known as Dawson Cable TV, has seen a steady decline in users over the last several years. Records indicate that residential subscriptions dropped from 284 in 2014 to approximately 130 by 2024, as many residents shifted toward internet-based streaming services. Maintaining the aging system has cost the municipality between $30,000 and $40,000 annually. According to Dawson City officials, the process of removing cable infrastructure from Yukon Energy poles will cost an estimated $150,000.
The history of the service is a notable part of local lore. It began in the 1980s under former mayor Peter Jenkins, who was nicknamed Pirate Pete for creating an informal—and likely illegal—satellite distribution scheme. He famously registered satellite accounts using the names of deceased Gold Rush pioneers to provide television signals to the community at no cost. The service was eventually formalized as a legitimate municipal operation in 1998, and a digital version was added in 2012.
Following a review by the Dawson City Town Council, officials are now focused on helping remaining customers find new providers. The city has issued a request for proposals for transition support services to assist residents through this change. Northwestel has confirmed it will work with the municipality to identify alternative programming options for those affected by the shutdown.
The municipality reminds residents that this transition only affects cable television services. Other utility billings, including water, sewer, and garbage collection, will remain unaffected by the shutdown.
