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Community TV shows like Braindate on TVS will get a boost from access to the digital spectrum.
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The Rudd Government has thrown a lifeline to flagging community
television with temporary release of spectrum and a $2.6 million
funding to help community stations simulcast during the switch to
digital.
The Government will allocate the
vacant spectrum until the full switchover to digital television with
C31 in Melbourne, TVS in Sydney,QCTV in Brisbane
and Channel 31 Adelaide to simulcast their services until 2013.
A new community
licensee in Perth will also commence digital-only broadcasts in early 2010.
More than half of Australian households have access to digital
television, however community TV stations have been marooned on analogue since the launch of digital TV in 2001, with viewer numbers declining as more people make the switch.
“This initiative will bring Community TV into line with commercial
and national broadcasters, and ensure their loyal and passionate
audiences can continue to enjoy their beloved local Community TV
stations as they switch to digital television,” aid the Minister for Broadband, Communications
and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.
Chief Executive of Sydney’s TVS and Secretary of the Australian
Community Television Alliance, Laurie Patton, welcomed the move:
"As Community TV relies on sponsorship revenue to fund station
operations, and sponsors want to know that people are watching, urgent
action was required," ACTA Secretary and TVS Chief Executive Laurie
Patton said.
“This
is what the Community Television sector has long been seeking from the
Government. The allocation of digital spectrum provides a certain
future for
Community TV and the provision of funding support will assist us during
the simulcast period ending in 2013.”
