Since the switch over to digital television, community TV has been left out. For years, community TV have fought to become part of digital TV so they do not get left behind as consumers everywhere switch over. Community TV airs on analogue channel 31 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide and offers a range of shows aimed directly at niche audiences, many of which are made by the community with virtually no budget.
Until now, there has been no spectrum allocated to community TV to go digital. Not to mention the funds required to upgrade their transmission equipment. Communications minister Senator Stephen Conroy says that spectrum will now be allocated to allow community TV to simulcast in digital like all the other free to air TV networks do. Community TV will also receive the necessary funding to upgrade their transmission equipment to digital.
With community TV going digital, they can be included in the FreeView suite of channels and will be able to reach a larger audience. Perth will also have a new community TV license in 2010.
Rove and Hamish and Andy actually started their TV careers in community TV.
Source: TV Tonight
