[cma-l] Digital community TV in Australia

[Marilyn Hyndman]

TVS Chief Executive signs off on a high digital note

See http://www.tvs.org.au/
http://www.tvs.org.au/news/tvs-chief-executive-signs-off-on-a-high-digital-note

Having overseen the station's recent transition to digital  
broadcasting, TVS Chief Executive Laurie Patton today announced that  
he is signing off at the end of the month.

As Secretary of the Australian Community Television Alliance, Mr  
Patton spearheaded the community television sector's negotiations with  
the Federal Government.  Late last year the Government allocated a  
digital channel in each of the mainland state capitals, along with  
funding for a new transmission system, for each community station  
through until the switchover to digital-only broadcasting in 2013.

TVS launched its digital service on 1 March 2010.  In a media release  
to mark the occasion, Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy,  
said:  "Laurie Patton was instrumental in delivering this outcome for  
Community TV and its passionate audiences nation-wide, so it is  
fitting that Laurie is the first to get his station to air in digital".

Mr Patton joined TVS in 2004 shortly after it was awarded Australia's  
first permanent Community Television Licence.  Over the past six years  
he has supervised the construction of a fully automated broadcast  
centre, along with the acquisition of programming and most recently  
the successful launch of the TVS digital channel 44 service.

TVS Chairman, Geoffrey Roberson acknowledged the skill and the  
experience that Mr Patton has demonstrated as the station's inaugural  
CEO.  "Without someone of Laurie's calibre in charge TVS would  
probably not exist.  His passion and his determination have been key  
ingredients in the creation of the channel," he said.

Speaking on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers who make programs for  
TVS, host and producer Joy Hruby OAM ("Joy's World" - 7pm Mondays)  
said that TVS provides a much needed outlet for community groups and  
individuals to express their views and provide valuable information.   
"Without TVS programs like mine could not be made.  I sincerely thank  
Laurie for his role in making it all possible".

Commenting on the station's significance in the emerging multi-channel  
digital TV market, Mr Patton said: "TVS represents a new age for  
community television.  The advent of digital has created the  
opportunity for community based producers to do things that could not  
have been envisaged a decade ago.  Community TV is the real 'user  
generated content' platform.  What's more, there is nothing like it  
anywhere else in the world".

After just four years on air TVS has a loyal audience watching a wide  
range of unique programs increasingly made by and for local community  
groups.   Currently, around 40 percent of the programs shown on TVS  
are made in Sydney.  "For less than $1000 you can buy a digital camera  
that produces broadcast quality images", according to Mr Patton.   
"With enough enthusiasm and a little creative talent community groups  
can make interesting programs that are relevant to the growing  
audiences that are attracted to TVS".

While he is leaving TVS Mr Patton will remain Executive Director of  
the Television Sydney Foundation.  The Foundation has been created in  
order to solicit public donations and to provide financial support to  
not-for-profit community groups and individuals wishing to make  
programs for TVS.

14 April 2010




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