Geelong shows plead to be part of TV’s digital future

Jessica Benton
Geelong television producers fear the city could lose its only community news station if Federal Government fails to approve a switch to digital broadcasts.
Noel Fanning said Channel 31, which screens several Geelong-based programs, needed the “all-important” spectrum to join the big networks in digital broadcasting.
“All the Government needs to do is fund the exercise and then Channel 31 can flick a switch,” Mr GFanning said.
“Channel 31 is waiting for a green light from the Government.”
Commercial stations such as channels 7, 9 and 10 as well as the ABC and SBS are now available in both analogue and digital but will switch to digital-only in 2013 under new Government regulations.
Mr Fanning said Channel 31 provided Geelong with “relevant” news and information.
“We produce five shows – News Geelong, Geelong Junior Football and Netball, Good Morning Geelong, Geelong and District Football League and Netball and the Geelong District Footy League Show,” he said.
“If we lost Channel 31 there would be no television news in this town because we’ll never have our own station. We’re serviced by the Melbourne stations but none of them provide a dedicated service to Geelong.”
Channel 31 digital campaign coordinator Campbell Manderson said the station was “fighting for its life”.
“Every program will go if we don’t get this – that’s 95 programs in total,” he said.
“Community television hasn’t received a cent from the Government ever. Everything we produce is for the people, by the people.
“If it comes down to the dollar and cent, we’d go to the people and raise the money.”
Liberal Senator Michael Ronaldson said last week’s budget failed to end “uncertainty” over the fate of community stations.
“There is still no sign of the all-important spectrum to enable Geelong TV programs on Channel 31 to join the other networks to broadcast in digital,” he said.
But labor Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman said the Government had committed to a “region-by-region switchover” for community television.
Mr Cheeseman said the switchover would begin in 2010 and finish by the end of 2013.
The Government would also encourage audiences to make the digital transition with the television stations, he said.