Australian-Media.com.au News

• New TV channel for regional Western Australia

  June 18 2009 10:51am (UTC+8)  -  Article by Kevin

  Television audiences in remote and regional Western Australia can expect a new commercial television service within 12 months.
  
  The announcement comes as the Australian Communications and Media Authority moves to allocate new commercial television broadcasting licences for those parts of the state with only two existing licensees.
  
  The new commercial television broadcasting licences will provide services in digital mode only.
  
  ACMA has also determined 30 June 2009 as the date on which existing commercial broadcasters will begin rolling out digital simulcasts of their services in remote and regional Western Australia.
  
  "ACMA's decision means that digital television is coming to all of Western Australia and that Western Australian audiences outside of Perth will have access to a third commercial service – provided that they make the switch to digital", said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.
  
  "This decision follows consultations with the existing commercial television broadcasters in regional and remote Western Australia. This is an important step in the government's digital television switchover timetable, which requires that analog TV throughout Australia is switched off by the end of 2013.
  
  "It is hoped that the provision of a third, digital-only service will be a strong incentive for digital uptake amongst audiences in regional and remote Western Australian audiences", Mr Chapman said.
  
  Existing commercial television services will begin rolling out digital simulcasts of their existing analog services in the south west of Western Australia on 30 June 2009 and over time will extend services to cover the rest of the state. The exact timing of the roll-out of digital services across Western Australia will be determined in implementation plans to be submitted by the broadcasters. These plans will be available on the ACMA website after they are approved by ACMA.
  
  The new, digital-only licences have been issued to joint venture companies operated by the existing licensees. Services under the new licences are expected to commence at various sites across remote and regional Western Australia in the next twelve months.
  
  ACMA Media Release

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