Media watchdog warns WIN over dead air in WA, as Nine urges viewers to live stream

July 1, 2016 2:20

Media watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has warned regional broadcaster WIN that it has an obligation to provide a broadcast that “appeals to the general public” after the station switched off its Channel Nine signal in regional Western Australia overnight.

Amid tense negotiations with Nine over a new content deal for the station WIN last night pulled out of discussions and is now broadcasting scenic images of regional Australia.

It is unclear how long the stalemate, which comes after Nine and WIN negotiated agreements in other regional markets such as Mildura and Griffith, will last.

The ACMA issued a warning today reminding WIN that while “the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the BSA) does not require commercial television broadcasting licensees to broadcast at all times. However, commercial broadcasters do have to provide a service that ‘appeals to the general public’ and that “when considered together with other broadcasting services available in the licence area of the licence (including another service or services operated by the licensee), contributes to the provision of an adequate and comprehensive range of broadcasting services in that licence area”.

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Nic Christensen

Nic Christensen worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2016, in roles including deputy editor and media & technology editor. He is former media writer for The Australian and has also worked as a reporter for The Daily Telegraph and senior producer for Radio 2GB.

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