West TV first to go digital
West TV had moved its start-up date to March 1, 2010 while negotiations were under way with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy to enable West TV to begin transmission in digital rather than analogue.
And the Rudd Government will provide additional funding to Australia’s community television broadcasters, including West TV, to enable them to purchase digital broadcasting equipment.
The Government will also temporarily allocate vacant spectrum, previously known as Channel A, to the community broadcasting sector, allowing Community TV stations C31 in Melbourne, TVS in Sydney, QCTV in Brisbane and Channel 31 Adelaide to simulcast their services until the switch to digital-only television in capital cities in 2013.
"Community Television is an important component of the Australian media landscape and I am very pleased that it now has a pathway to digital transmission," said the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.
The Government has also allocated funding support, totaling $2.6 million, to enable the community sector to meet the costs of commencing digital simulcasts.
"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," Senator Conroy said.
Graeme Shenton, Chairperson of West TV ltd said the station was delighted with the vote of confidence by the Federal Government in West TV which enabled the station to begin broadcasting in digital. Digital community television is now also apart of the Freeview platform, helping us to integrate with the mainstream services.
Tibor Meszaros, Secretary of WTV said. "This means we can now confidently complete our broadcasting programme with both content providers and advertisers knowing they will be part of Australia’s most modern digital community television service."
More than three-quarters of Western Australian households have already converted to digital television and the number is growing by the day.
For more information, contact the WTV Secretary, Tibor Meszaros, on 0413 664 929