Region. Plight of community television

The Australian Community Television Alliance secretary, Laurie Patton, CEO, of TVS Sydney, based at UWS in Penrith, said the Federal Government's latest Digital Tracker Survey results has highlighted the plight of community television which is currently marooned on analogue and awaiting the allocation of digital spectrum. As more and more community television viewers switch to digital, the financial viability of the community television is put at risk. In order to survive some stations are already looking at cutting back on operating expenses with the potential for job losses and program cuts. Even if the Government allocated us the necessary spectrum immediately it would be some time next year before digital transmissions could begin. The longer they take the more difficult things will become for community television stations, he said.