PO Box 564, Alexandria, NSW 1435
T – 02 9310 2999
F – 02 9319 4545
E – office@cbaa.org.au
ACN 003 108 030 ABN 92 003 108 030
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 5th November 2009
COMMUNITY BROADCASTING WELCOMES
A DIGITAL FUTURE FOR COMMUNITY TV
Sydney: The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) welcomes the Rudd
Government's allocation of temporary spectrum and funding support for Community TV to enable
digital simulcasting to begin.
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy
yesterday announced that the Federal Government will temporarily allocate vacant spectrum
(known as Channel A) to the Community Broadcasting sector. Also announced was $2.6 million in
funding support to contribute to the costs of commencing digital simulcasts.
This will allow Community TV stations C31 in Melbourne, TVS in Sydney, QCTV in Brisbane and
Channel 31 in Adelaide to simulcast their services until the switch to digital-only television in capital
cities in 2013. A new community licensee in Perth will commence digital-only broadcasts in early
2010.
Deborah Welch, President of the CBAA said, "Community broadcasting, both television and radio,
plays a critical role in Australia's rapidly evolving media landscape, providing millions of Australians
with a truly local, diverse range of programming. It also is the key pathway for communities small
and large to produce their own media and reach significant audiences."
"We thank the Rudd Government for recognising its value through the allocation of digital spectrum.
We also applaud the provision of funding support to assist stations to cover the costs of upgrading
systems to enable digital broadcast.
"The Community Broadcasting sector has been seeking equitable access to spectrum - both analogue
and digital - for Community TV for more than ten years.
“This development is an important step in strengthening its presence in the free-to-air digital
landscape. It will create a vibrant Australian media by ensuring a place for community broadcasters
as well as commercial and national broadcasters."
For further information contact:
Deborah Welch 0418 887 035
CBAA President
Michele Bawden 0419 280 852
CBAA General Manager
NEWS 
