Media Release

TVS a welcome arrival to digital television

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today welcomed the launch of digital broadcasting by TVS, Sydney’s Community Television station.

TVS, which began broadcasting in analog in February 2006, is the first Australian Community Television station to commence digital simulcast, after the Government announced funding support and spectrum allocation last year.

“I’m delighted to see TVS take its rightful place alongside other free-to-air broadcasters in making the move to digital,” Senator Conroy said.

“TVS leads the way for Community Television in launching its digital simulcast, and I look forward to the commencement of digital services by community television stations in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane in the coming months,” Senator Conroy said. A new digital-only community television station is also expected to launch shortly in Perth.

Community Television is an important component of the Australian media landscape.

“The Rudd Government greatly values the role of community television,” Senator Conroy said. “It creates hundreds of hours of truly local content every month, provides on-the-job training for media students and emerging talent, and reaches more than a million viewers each week across Australia”.

“I am pleased that by working closely with the Community TV sector, the Government was able to provide a pathway for Community TV stations to begin digital simulcasts,” Senator Conroy said.

“As secretary of the Australian Community Television Alliance, TVS CEO Laurie Patton was instrumental in delivering this outcome for Community TV and its passionate audiences nation-wide, so it is fitting that Laurie is the first to get his station to air in digital,” Senator Conroy said.

“I congratulate Laurie and his colleagues on this achievement, and look forward to seeing TVS grow as part of Sydney’s digital television landscape”.

Date: 1 March 2010
Contact: Suzie Brady 0408 258 457