Penrith. Call for funds for community TV

Penrith-based TVS CEO, Laurie Patton, secretary of the Australian Community Television Alliance (ACTA) has called on the Federal Government to allocate a portion of Screen Australia funding to the producers of community television programs. This follows the recent announcement that community television stations are to be allocated digital spectrum for simulcasting in the period to December 2013 when analogue television transmissions will cease in the capital cities. ACTA has written to Arts Minister Peter Garrett pointing out the Community Television sector's ability to foster the development of new and innovative local content and to provide a training ground for new entrants to the screen industry.

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.