If only they tried? As the legacy spectrum won’t be there forever, and plus, would cut down on their operating costs when they finally switch the DVBt transmitter off. Am very surprised they have not transitioned yet, plus get a more national audience too if their App appeared alongside the likes of 9Now, 7Plus, ABC Iview, etc on Smart TV’s.
Many new homes when built do not install aerials anymore. You need to ask for it now in most cases when a house is constructed. Is really time CTV moved with the times.
I had to ask for an antenna that can receive C31 on UHF when I got my new antenna six years ago. That was when it was on “borrowed time” thanks to the then Morrison government.
This year’s celebration also marks the official launch of CTV+ on Smart TVs, making community television available to households nationwide at the push of a button.
“The Antennas are a chance to celebrate the new era of community television – one that’s built on both our broadcast heritage and our digital future,” said Shane Dunlop, General Manager of C31 Melbourne. “With CTV+ soon to be available on Smart TVs, our programs are set to be more accessible than ever, and the Antennas will showcase exactly why our content matters.”
It’s unfortunate that it’s taken so long for community TV as a collective to adapt to the streaming age. The decade of government-led uncertainty about their future on TV wouldn’t have helped.
If all stations had the ability to focus on making a unified effort back around 2019-20 when 31 Brisbane attempted their transition, could we still have a Brisbane and Perth presence today?
Hi
I have some relevant experience in Internet TV which may help CH31.
Around 2008 I started helping out 3 fellow radio amateurs with their Youtube channel program called Amateurlogic. I produced 10 minute segements and helped out with cohosting despite being on the other side of the world.
Interestingly over 10 years I developed production capabilities that would have put an 80s tv station to shame. I could produce and edit hd segments, computer generated titles, cameras, sound mixer, greenscreen and even an Amateur TV transmitter!
10 years later (100 or so episodes) I game the hobby way to instead go comet discovering however there is one lerarning that could could assist CH31 considerably. the show continutes though.
Initially Amateurlogic was only on Youtube and it had a good following as ou can see by the views for each episode. However after a year or two I bought a Roku which is a remote that gives access to a streaming platform. Many people have these. I made a Roku channel and put our videos on it. The number of views spiked considerably and jumped into numbers in excess of what many community tv stations get for good shows. Interestingly our viewers were all over the world.
So my advice to CH31 is to start streaming via their own Roku channel ASAP because it will probably double their viewership for minimal cost. And they should also try and get onto other similar streaming platforms where you can have your own channel. The increased viewership would really help in getting sponsorship.
cheers Peter
I do wonder what platforms they’re launching on though. The smart tv platform landscape is very diverse. And will CTV+ be included in the prominence laws?
I think when Telstra tv came out, 9, 7 and 10 ported their apps onto the Roku too iirc as they use the same system, but they obviously stopped supporting it after TTV shut. If you don’t use the Aussie apps though (but I’m assuming you do considering we’re on MS!) theres obviously still Netflix, P+. D+ etc.
When I started with Roku it was a $100 box that hooked up to your tv and you operated it by remote. Yes its focus is not on Australia but your viewership is worldwide so anyone with a Roku or Roku enabled TV can watch your channel. If the content is good and your get a big enough viewership you could attract some decent sponsorship.