Network 10 stays on air in regional WA after last-minute govt funding
Half a million residents of regional Western Australia are still able to tune into Network 10, thanks to last-minute funding from the Federal Government.
Western Digital Television — an affiliate of Network 10, owned by WIN and Seven West Media — was set to shut down its broadcast signal on July 1, meaning approximately 500,000 Western Australians living in regional or remote areas would not have been able to access Ten via their aerial. The station offers a direct feed from NEW-10 Perth.
The AFR reports that the Federal Government has approved $32.9 million in funding to keep the signal running for seven years.
This follows the closure of Network 10 in Mildura, another joint venture between WIN and Seven West Media, as the financial position of running the station “is no longer tenable,” according to the station’s board.
“The joint venture owners, Seven and WIN, have continued to fund MDT despite the station running at a loss since its [2006] inception,” the board of Mildura Digital TV said, after announcing the closure.
“Whilst MDT realises this is not an ideal situation, the financial position is no longer tenable.”
In a statement given to Mumbrella after the closure announcement, a Network 10 spokesperson said: “… it’s unacceptable that tens of thousands of Australians will see some of their favourite free-to-air broadcast channels go to black.
“The Federal Government must act urgently to ensure the Network 10 affiliated channels can continue to be available via broadcast transmission. We urge the Prime Minister to urgently intervene and save these regional TV broadcasts.
“This also shows how vitally important prominence of our free streaming services has become so that every Australian can easily find local content and broadcasters on their connected TVs and devices which is what the residents of Mildura will need to do to continue watching 10’s shows.”
While these pleas didn’t help the 70,000 Mildura residents, the Federal Government has stepped in to save Ten for half a million Western Australians.
“The closure of [Mildura] was a disappointing commercial decision,” as spokesperson for communications minister Michelle Rowland told AFR.
“In response, the government has introduced legislation to expand access to [the satellite service].
“The government is aware of the need for broader media reform, and has a program of work underway to address structural challenges facing the sector.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Deputy Editor of Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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