The Indiana Debate Commission invites television, radio, digital, and print media outlets across Indiana to provide coverage of the 2026 Indiana Secretary of State Debate on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The debate will feature:
- Beau Bayh (Democrat)
- Max Engling (Republican)
- Greg Ballard (Lincoln Party)
- Lauri Shillings (Libertarian)
The Indiana Secretary of State serves as Indiana’s chief elections officer and oversees election administration, business services, securities regulation, and campaign finance reporting, making this one of Indiana’s most important statewide offices. This advisory contains everything media organizations need to broadcast, stream, embed, cover, or attend the debate, including complete television distribution information, radio distribution information, streaming details, media credentialing procedures, and technical contacts.
Television Distribution:
Satellite Window
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Satellite Coordinates
Satellite: Galaxy 16/19K
Slot: A9
Uplink: 14375.500 MHz Vertical
Downlink: 12075.500 MHz Horizontal
Transmission Parameters
FEC: 3/4
Symbol Rate: 7.2 Msps
Data Rate: 15.678 Mbps
MPEG-4 Encoding
DVB-S2 / 8PSK Modulation
4:2:0 Chroma
Roll-Off: 0.20
Pilots: On
Uplink Provider: Encompass Glenbrook TOC will provide the satellite uplink.
Engineering and Technical Support
For satellite reception assistance or troubleshooting during the transmission window: Encompass Glenbrook TOC 203-965-6371
Public television stations in Indiana will have the debate distributed via ILight, as well. For questions or detailed information, contact George Hopstetter at WFIU/WTIU in Bloomington. bhopstet@iu.edu 937-478-9359
Streaming and Embedding Information:
Media outlets who wish to provide a link on their Web sites to a stream of the debate should use the embedding code below:
Vimeo Embed code
<div style=”padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;”><iframe src=”https://vimeo.com/event/6215313/embed/f0aa5e73f3” frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; encrypted-media; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen style=”position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;”></iframe></div>
Radio Distribution:
The Debate will be distributed via Network Indiana. If stations need detailed information, they should contact their Network Indiana affiliate contact, Todd Meyer, at Radio One. todd.meyer@radio-one.com 317-684-8709
Public Radio stations in Indiana will have the Debate distributed via ILight. For questions or detailed information, contact George Hopstetter at WFIU/WTIU in Bloomington. bhopstet@iu.edu 937-478-9359
Media Access and Credentialing:
Media outlets are also invited to send reporters, editors, producers, photographers, videographers, and other representatives to attend the debate in person. Accredited media representatives will have access to a working media room during the debate and will be invited to participate in a post-debate press availability (Q&A session) with the candidates following the conclusion of the program.
Media organizations planning to send representatives should contact IDC President Elizabeth Bennion in advance to be added to the media check-in list.
Please email president@indianadebatecommission.com. Media representatives should be prepared to present media credentials and/or employer-issued identification upon arrival on debate night. Pre-approved student reporters may present student IDs.
SPECIAL REQUEST: Please email media@indianadebatecommission.com to let us know that you plan to broadcast or stream the debate. This is useful for our records. We also share this information on a WHERE TO WATCH tab on our website. Current media partners will be listed on the website very soon. Thank you!
