Expanding the Broadcast: District Approves Amendment to ArrowTV Sponsorship Contract
- Steve Jurrens
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - During the June 8 meeting, the Watertown School Board unanimously approved an amendment to its exclusive ArrowTV sponsorship agreement with Dakotaland Federal Credit Union and DFS Insurance.
Currently entering its third year, the three-year sponsorship contract spans the 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 school years. The agreement provides the district with $20,000 per school year, bringing the total value of the sponsorship to $60,000. In exchange, the sponsors receive exclusive perks, including their logo streaming in the corner of the screen, business name-drops throughout the broadcasts, and the ability for the crew and announcers to wear company-branded professional shirts.
The New Amendment
The primary change approved by the board updates the "commercial language" of the agreement. The amendment formally grants the Watertown School District the exclusive authority to sell its own commercial advertising to be aired on ArrowTV.
District administrators noted that they met with representatives from Dakota Land to discuss the change, and both parties were comfortable and in agreement with the new contract language.
Protecting the Primary Sponsors
While the district now has the green light to sell commercial ad space to generate additional revenue, the amended contract includes a strict non-compete clause to protect its anchor sponsors.
According to the agreement, the district cannot accept or stream any commercial advertisements from other financial institutions, insurance companies, or related entities that are in direct competition with Dakotaland Federal Credit Union or DFS Insurance. Furthermore, no commercial advertisement can be aired on ArrowTV unless a fully executed advertising agreement is signed and on file with the district.
Looking to the future of the student broadcast program, the contract also grants Dakotaland a "Right of First Refusal" for the 2027-28 school year, giving them the option to extend the agreement for an additional three years, subject to a district review of the sponsorship’s monetary value.
