Channel 31 possibly closing down?

[Luke D]

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23843318-5012990,00.html

PERTH community television station Access 31 is set to close.

The station operators have until June 27 to gain significant new funding and access to the digital spectrum and failing this the company will be wound up, liquidators called in and the Belmont -based studios will close .

Access 31 is WA's only licensed free-to-air community television station.

It has operated since June 18, 1999.

An emergency meeting for members to determine the station's fate will be held on June 27.

Era ending: Access 31 in pictures

Chief executive officer of Access 31, Andrew Brine, confirmed the June 27 meeting which is likely to see the closing of the station which showcases local programs, local talent and local events which has given voluntary staff specialised training leading to full-time positions in commercial TV.
“Last week the process was put in place for an emergency meeting of the members and the subject is a special resolution that the company may be wound up voluntarily,” he said.

“Access 31 has not been allowed access to the digital spectrum and we have no timetable for this to happen and we have no funding.

“Unless this happens, we will not be able to turn things around.

“The result would be that at the end of the meeting on June 27, the liquidator would wind up the company and sell off all the assets.

“That would be the end of community television in WA and community TV across the country is threatened in the same way.

"It is a sad state of affairs."

The closure will have a huge impact on the 1000 people that work at the Belmont offices and on the programs.

Access 31 is a wonderful resource for media students, providing excellent facilities and training and hands-on experience.

Today, Access 31 has a viewing audience of more than 715,000 people per month.

A new transmitter was installed to broaden reception for the mix of classic movies, re-runs of shows such as Bonanza and Peter Gunn and of course locally produced programs such as The Couch, Sweet & Sour and Flicktease.

Sad news to hear if Ch31 does end up closing down. Unfortunately it could be the start of similar events nationwide.

An online petition has been set up at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/help-access31-go-digital.html to sign. I urge everyone to sign and help keep the station that brings us shows, like The Tenpin Bowling Show, to our TV screens.

Luke.

 

[GBS]

When I signed there were 419 others

Come on Australia please sign

From small beginnings comes ...

 

[Tenpin Bowling Show]

PLEASE NOTE: THE NOTIFICATION REFERS ONLY TO ACCESS 31 PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
NO OTHER STATES ARE CONTEMPLATING CLOSING DOWN.

Access 31 Perth have had this coming in the pipeline for some time now.
All of the community stations through their national body had pushed and pushed the previous government to give them access to the digital platform, but fallen on deaf ears. They basically did'nt care about community tv.
The current government are more positive and have attended meetings with all tv stations recently to put forward plans and details for the conversion, but it has to happen quicker that the projected date of mid next year to save Access 31 Perth.
Every time someone converts to digital it means another lost viewer, and with Access 31 Perth operating with paid staff (not volunteers), the bills still need to be paid until the change over, while trying to maintain a steady flow of sponsors.
There is a good chance here that if government are made more aware of the impending closure of Access 31, they will step in and start acting for all states to go digital sooner.
The end result will be a much clearer picture and increased transmitter power reaching a much wider audience.

 

[Tenpin Bowling Show]

EMAIL SENT TODAY TO ALL SHOW PRODUCERS FROM ACCESS 31

THE FUTURE OF ACCESS 31 HAS BEEN SECURED

It has now been confirmed that the Federal Government has committed to a digital future for Access 31 !

Funding and the Federal Government commitment to a digital future has put behind the difficulties experienced by ACCESS 31 over the past few weeks.
With renewed life and a focus on its core business of broadcasting ACCESS 31is preparing and laying solid foundations for its life in the digital world.
Support funding received by ACCESS 31 will provide it with the working capital needed to sustain its operations whilst it makes the transition to digital.
ACCESS 31 Board, Management and Staff wish to thank all of our Supporters, Volunteers, and Viewers who have supported us throughout this difficult time

 

[steve jones]

Hhmm interesting did Kevin Rudd write this? The saving of Access 31 was brought about by a $500,000 personal contribution from local businessman Gary Baverstock - combined with an earlier gift of $250,000 from Lottery West. If the Federal Government is on board now - it would only be because these generous donations were given in the first place and in time, to stop the doors being closed for good. A little truth goes a long way!