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Community TV to stay on air

Frieda Lee, 26th March 2024
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The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) welcomes the passing of legislation that guarantees community television will stay on air and gives Channel 31 Melbourne and Geelong and Channel 44 Adelaide greater certainty for the future.

 
Under previous legislation, community television broadcast transmissions were due to be switched off in June 2024.
 
With the passing of the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Community Television) Bill 2024, introduced by the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications, Community TV will stay on-air for the foreseeable future.
 
The Bill repeals previous legislation, under which both stations’ broadcasting licences were due to expire on 30 June this year. The new provisions ensure that in future there will be consultation with stations when the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) reviews the available spectrum for television broadcasting and, if the ACMA determines there is no available broadcast spectrum for community television, there will be a notice period of at least a year.
 
President of the Australian Community Television Alliance (ACTA) and General Manager of C31 Shane Dunlop, said:
"After enduring a tumultuous period of detrimental federal policy, the bi-partisan support seen for the CTV Bill signifies a landmark moment in the journey to secure community TV services in Melbourne and Adelaide.”
General Manager of Channel 44 Lauren Hillman, said:
“This bill shows that the Australian Government recognises the vital role played by community TV in not only serving local communities but in the broader media landscape, too, as a platform for cultural diversity and inclusivity, and as a training ground for emerging creators.”
Reece Kinnane, Head of Advocacy and Communications, CBAA, said:
“Community broadcasting plays a vital role in Australia’s media landscape, offering true diversity and meeting the needs of underserved audiences. We are pleased that Channels 31 and 44 can continue to contribute their unique Australian content to their local TV audiences and have greater certainty about their future”.
Community television is available on-demand online at https://ctvplus.org.au/ and the CTV+ app available on Android and iPhone, with plans to launch a streaming service on some smart TVs later this year.
 
For Broadcasters
For Listeners
CTV, CTV+, CTVPlus, community television

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