Tasmania govt wants answers on ONE

‘The Apple Isle’ is getting rotten about the state of digital television with the government demanding a clear answer about the launch of ONE.

The 24 hour sports channel launches tomorrow to TEN’s network stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Elsewhere, confusion has reigned.

Tasmanian’s Minister for Corrections and Consumer Protection, Lisa Singh has demanded answers on why there are doubts about Tasmanian TV viewers getting the new 24-hour sports channel ONE as part of the Freeview Service.

Ms Singh wrote to Tasmanian Digital Television asking the company to clarify the future of the broadcasting of ONE.

“My concern is that Tasmanian viewers have been led to believe that ONE would be available to them.

“Advertising for the Freeview package has been broadcast in Tasmania for a period of months, and has clearly implied to Tasmanian viewers that ONE was to become available in the state.

“Now there is uncertainty about the roll-out of Freeview and, specifically, the broadcast of ONE in Tasmania,” she said.

“As Minister responsible for Consumer Protection, I would be concerned if Tasmanian consumers have been misled about the availability of the service.

“I’ve been told of Tasmanian consumers buying digital set-top boxes or other equipment in anticipation of the service.

“I want the company to state clearly whether Tasmanians can expect free-to-view television services comparable to the rest of Australia or whether Tasmania is to be left off the map.”

It is somewhat alarming that the Tasmanian Government has only taken action on this confusion at minutes to midnight.

Earlier this week TDT general manager Stephen Giles said it was not known when, or even if, the new channel would air in Tasmania.

“As it stands today, TDT is still negotiating with Network 10 for the rights to ONE,” Mr Giles told The Mercury.

Southern Cross Television Chief Operating Officer Greg Dodgson confirmed to TV Tonight last week that he expected Tasmanian viewers to receive ONE HD at the same time as other SC regional viewers: the middle of the year.

In response to the Minister’s demands yesterday, Dodgson acknowledged, “A few negotiations between now and then need to take place.”

Source: tas.gov.au