Correct, Townsville was the last ABC TV production centre to go colour. The B&W studio feed was crashed in over the top of the incoming colour feed from Brisbane by the local studio onto the feed to the local transmitters. Townsville did make it into colour for the last 5 to 6 years of its existence. Was a bone of contention from local TV staff for many years.
ABC Brisbane had long wanted both Rockhampton and Townsville closed down after they were fulltime linked to Brisbane in the very late 1960âs. They argued that both centres swallowed up money from the QLD ABC state production pool that should have been spent in Brisbane instead. However, it was local political pressure that kept these centres open as long as they did. In the end, it was a combination of The National which killed off the 6.55pm Regional News/7.25pm regional weather bulletins and the local current affairs program Points North and the changeover to satellite distribution with a single statewide footprint that killed off both Rockhampton and Townsville ABC TV production centres. Both decisions made by the ABC Board at the time.
As posted in the TVSN thread, 7Tas has added some new channels now and has 3 shopping channels on their feed. Still no 7flix or Bravo though and TDT has no shopping channels as they have been taken by 7 which Iâm surprised WIN hasnât kicked up a stink about.
Due to Southern Crossâs live coverage of the first cricket test between Australia and India from Perth, Seven News Melbourne will be shown in NT live at the earlier time of 4.30pm everyday from this Friday (November 22), until the conclusion of the match.
The AFLW preliminary finals will be shown on 7mate live at 1.30pm and 5.30pm ACST respectively.
The company reports that the sale of the 3-Agg TV Licences to Network Ten has cleared all regulatory conditions and will complete on 1 March 2025, with SCA announcing it has signed a binding proposal for the sale of its television assets in Tasmania, Spencer Gulf, Broken Hill, Mt Isa, Darwin and remote, central and eastern Australia to Australian Digital Holdings Pty Ltd.
Acquisition of Southern Cross Media Group television assets
Seven West Media (ASX: SWM) today announced that it has entered into a binding agreement with Southern Cross Media Group Limited (ASX: SXL) to acquire the television licences and associated assets operating in Tasmania, Darwin, Spencer Gulf, Broken Hill, Mt Isa and Remote, Central and Eastern Australia.
These licences currently broadcast the Seven Network television signal in each market under our current Affiliation Agreement with SXL.
The acquisition largely completes SWMâs national broadcast network and opens new markets to Seven where the powerful offering of digital television â both live and VOD â on 7plus complements the Seven broadcast signal.
Consideration of $3.75 million cash will be paid on completion and the transaction will be immediately earnings accretive in FY26. Completion of the transaction is expected by 30 June 2025.
SWM Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Howard, said: âThe acquisition of these television licenses is another positive step in SWMâs strategic transformation program.
âSeven is Australiaâs largest commercial free-to-air broadcaster and we are excited by the opportunity to further leverage our leading news, sport and entertainment content in these new markets, across both Seven and 7plus to drive incremental revenue, earnings and cash flow.
âFollowing this acquisition, Seven will reach almost 100% of Australiaâs population [exRiverland]. With the successful launch of our Phoenix total television platform, our valued advertising partners and media buyers will be able to seamlessly reach and target these new and attractive audiences across both broadcast and digital campaigns,â he said.
This release has been authorised to be given to the ASX by the Board of SWM.
SCA made a similar announcement to ASX this morning.
Seven West Media to Acquire SCAâs Remaining Television Assets
Southern Cross Media Group Limited (ASX: SXL) (SCA) has executed a binding agreement for the sale of its remaining television assets in Tasmania, Spencer Gulf, Broken Hill, Mt Isa, Darwin and Remote, Central and Eastern Australia (TV Assets) to Seven West Media (SWM).
The sale is expected to complete on 30 June 2025.
As previously disclosed to the market on 27 February 2025, SCA announced a proposal to divest these TV Assets to Australian Digital Holdings (ADH). However, the final conditions to complete this transaction were not satisfied and all further negotiations and discussions with ADH have now ceased.
The completion of this sale to SWM will result in SCA being fully divested of all television assets, which aligns with its All About Audio strategy.
The overall proceeds to be received by SCA are $3.75 million in upfront consideration, which is equivalent to the upfront consideration of the previously proposed transaction with ADH.
SCA intends to apply the upfront cash consideration from the sale of the TV Assets towards reducing net debt.
The estimated consideration from the sale of SCAâs television assets is, in aggregate, in the range of $19 to $24 million. On a proforma FY25 EBITDA basis, the consideration represents a multiple range of approximately 4-5 times.
I donât think so in the short to medium term. I donât believe that Darwin has received 9rush yet. Just because the station is O&O doesnât mean that a certain area will get the same package of channels at the same time.
Given regional WA hasnât gotten 7Flix or 7Bravo yet, I doubt the central and remote region will get either - possible that it may eventually end up in Tasmania and possibly the Spencer Gulf & Broken Hill, but I doubt it will be coming to the remote regions anytime soon.
