Northern Access Television News

Welcome to Northern Access Television News - where you will find news from our Community TV Production Group based in Melbourne, Australia. If you haven't seen our website yet, come visit us at http://www.nat.org.au/ !

MELBOURNE COMMUNITY GROUPS:-
If you require assistance with getting your message accross, feel free to contact us at Northern Access Television. We can provide interviews on our NAT Chat program and/or Community Service Annoucements during breaks on C31 Melbourne. We are happy to help :)

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Goodbye GeoCities

It was sad to see the GeoCities service from Yahoo! close down recently. As our long time members would know, our first NAT website was hosted by GeoCities, and had some really long address (I think it was http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/3046 or something like that!). During times the group was a bit short of money (which is pretty much always!), we diverted our domain name back to our GeoCities one.

A few of our earlier programs also started off their websites on GeoCities, but later moved to paid hosting plans. If any of the links in Past Programs or on the links page are now dead, then sadly a lot of them will be lost because of the closure. I will try to update and/or remove the dead links as I get a chance.

Thanks to GeoCities and later Yahoo! for the service. It was a big help in our early days on the web!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

ACTA welcomes allocation of digital spectrum for Community TV

More information on launch dates will be forthcoming when available.

The Australian Community Television Alliance (ACTA) today welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to allocate digital spectrum for Community Television.

ACTA was formed primarily to coordinate the sector’s representations to Government and in particular to secure digital spectrum and funding support during the digital/analogue simulcast period that concludes at the end of 2013. Since the introduction of digital broadcasting to Australia in 2001 Community Television channels have been the only ones not available via digital set-top boxes.

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. “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 TVS Chief Executive Laurie Patton said.

“Today’s announcement from Senator Conroy proves that ACTA’s campaign has worked,” Mr Patton added. “The Government clearly understood that without a digital pathway Community Television was destined for broadcasting oblivion”.

ACTA is pleased that the Government has accepted its arguments in favour of Community Television and its potential to play an important role in a developing digital multichannel world.

“Community TV stations provide a unique platform for the expression of the views and interests of a wide range of community groups and individuals that would otherwise go unheard. In addition to providing an outlet for local viewpoints and diverse opinions Community Television acts as a training ground for new entrants to the broadcast industry,” Mr Patton concluded.

Monday, November 2, 2009

C31 Digital Forum- show your support for Community TV

C31 is holding a forum for the community to come together and discuss the Station's digital future. The Forum will be attended by Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and The Digital Economy, who has been invited to present the Federal Government's vision on the future of Community Television.

Join us to have your say!

When: Monday November 9, 2PM

Where: Multicultural Hub

Corner Therry & Elizabeth St. Melbourne City.

There is a limited capacity so register your interest to attend NOW by calling 03 9660 3131 or emailing info@c31.org.au with your name