Freeview EPG will include community stations

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 14 April 2009 13:54

Business IT - Technology

Community TV channels have won a spot in the Freeview electronic program guide (EPG). But will they get the funding needed to make the switch from analogue broadcasting?

While Australia's commercial and public TV stations are well advanced in their migration to digital broadcasting, the community sector is stuck in the analogue world.

One piece of good news for the community stations is that Freeview has agreed to include their schedules in its EPG.

Laurie Patton (secretary of the Australian Community Television Alliance and chief executive of community station Television Sydney) said "The Freeview directors recently voted unanimously to include Community Television in their proprietary EPG."

He believes that inclusion in the Freeview EPG will dramatically increase the profile of community channels.

"All the research, by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and others, shows that one of the key 'drivers' for people contemplating going digital is the opportunity to receive extra channels," he explained.

Earlier this year, Patton expressed confidence that the Federal government would allocate digital spectrum to the community sector.

What about funding? Please read on.