We're back (well almost!)

The NAT website is back online with a new look.

Sadly, in the last few months, we were hacked. As a result, we had to clear our our whole web hosting account, as they hid files in almost every corner of our online home.

At this time, the NAT Chat and Email Lists sites are offline, but we will work on getting them back online soon.

Because the NAT Chat site had a lot of half hour video files, these will take quite a while to put back. But when we have them all uploaded again, we will put the site back for you to view

In the meantime the latest episode of NAT Chat is available at the C31 Website and some other episodes and highlights are available at the NAT Chat YouTube Channel.

If you notice any dead links or other bugs, please email us at michcos@nat.org.au and let us know.

Enjoy our new look home!

New Look for NAT Chat!

A new NATCH@T Segment Introduction Breaker designed by Matt O'Connor, the current Editor.NATCH@T is broadcast on Channel 31 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia @ 4pm Fridays & is a 30 minute chat show produced by Tom Bridgford.

(Website will be updated with the new look soon)

No Clean Feed

The Internet is one of the few places where self expression can be done to the full. Web Videos allow people to spread their message to people all over the world. Northern Access TV and the Noise Bar believe in the future of online television, and have invested heaps of time and energy towards launching a Web TV channel in early 2010. But web speed has been an issue for the trial, both at the transmitting end and at the receiving end. An Internet filter is only going to make that problem worse, and could make Web TV unviable in Australia.

Have your say on Twitter! Join the online protest using the hash tag #nocleanfeed. The clean feed must be stopped, before our web slows to a crawl and video on the web is affected.

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!

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.

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

LIVE WEBCAST! Halloween Showcase of Death! 31st October @ Noise Bar

Courtesy of http://www.thataudioguy.net

Halloween Showcase of Death! 31st October @ Noise Bar - Brunswick - VIC AUS

Do yourself a favour, this gig is definitely a do not miss gig this year! The entire event will be live recorded and also live broadcast via the Internet on this site! we have viewers the world over watching this, checking out great Aussie talent as it happens!

This event will be WEBCAST LIVE from 6:30pm

To find out how to access the telecast, or you are local to Brunswick and would like to attend the gig, visit http://www.thataudioguy.net
This is a Ticketed Pre-sale Event - visit website for ticket details.