Penrith. Community TV goes digital

The Australian Community Television Alliance (ACTA) has welcomed the Federal Government's decision to allocate digital spectrum for community television. "As community TV relies on sponsorship revenue to fund station operations, and sponsors want to know that people are watching, urgent action was required," ACTA secretary and CEO, of the Penrith-based TVS, Laurie Patton, said. The lack of digital spectrum has severely hampered audience growth for community television and in recent times has seen audience numbers in most cities begin to fall significantly. Community television acts as a training ground for new entrants to the broadcast industry, Mr Patton said.