Community TV acquires historic funding in wake of Albanese Government’s multi-million media strategy announcement
Hours after the Albanese Government confirmed that it would be supporting local broadcasting and media institutions via a $180.5 million media strategy, community television (CTV) revealed that it would be receiving a historic piece of the commitment.
In an announcement on Monday, CTV said that it would be receiving $3 million from the government, marking the the funding as “the largest financial support in its history”.
Moving forward, the investment is believed to make CTV’s future more sustainable, allowing its stations to continue providing platforms for local talent and sharing local stories.
“Community TV is a platform for uniquely Australian stories,” said Channel 44 chair, Dr Tom Young.
“This investment supports passionate creatives and strengthens the sector’s ability to connect with diverse communities.”
Channel 31 chair, Joseph Matina, added: “This funding will ensure CTV can continue delivering essential local content, providing training opportunities for future media professionals, and transforming for a digital future.”
The above mentioned strategy refers to the News Media Assistance Program, also known as News MAP – a multi-year initiative designed to shore up essential media organisations through financial support.
“Local news and community broadcasting are at the heart of our communities. This funding ensures community TV continues to make a vital contribution to media diversity and national identity,” commented Michelle Rowland, communications minister.
Earlier this year, Rowland introduced the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Community Television) Bill 2024 to overturn legislation that would have required Channel 31 Melbourne and Geelong, and Channel 44 Adelaide, to cease broadcasting on June 30, as a result of expired broadcasting licences.
But with the Bill in place, both organisations were effectively granted extensions to their broadcasting operations until another “use for the radiofrequency spectrum they occupy” was discovered.
“Community television is a vibrant part of Australia’s media landscape – adding to media diversity, providing local news and content, supporting local businesses and serving as a platform for the next generation of industry talent,” Rowland had said via a statement.
“These changes will ensure Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide can continue to provide these valuable services until there is an alternative use for the radiofrequency spectrum they occupy.”
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Matthew is the editorial assistant at Mumbrella. He joined the company at the end of September 2023.
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It works like this – blatantly use your platform to heckle the Liberal government then get your rewards when Labor is back on board. Nice work!
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