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TVS last ever broadcast

Community broadcaster Television Sydney will end broadcasting after nearly 10 years ahead of a return as a Video on Demand platform.

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Sydney community station TVS will cease broadcasting on Sunday December 20, after almost 10 years on air.

Television Sydney will then relaunch as a Video on Demand service later in 2016.

The news follows a year of protracted negotiations with the government to delay moves to migrate to online operations and shut down its access to broadcast spectrum.

Rachel Bentley, CEO Television Sydney, said in a statement to its members, “As you are aware the Minister for Communications wrote to TVS and other CTV stations confirming the discontinuation of access to spectrum allocation for CTV free to air broadcasters effective December 31, 2015.

“Subsequently there has been some discussion about a possible free-to-air extension to assist transition to online only distribution. The possibility of an offer of an extension came with many conditional requirements including concurrent operation of an online channel.

“After extensive discussions with Government and other CTV stations, the Board of TVS has decided to focus our resources on the best possible outcome for TVS and the distribution of community content.

 

“We are very grateful to our partner community organisations Metro Screen and Western Sydney University for their support of TVS over the past decade. We also thank our community of producers and supporters for their ongoing program contributions and interest in TVS.

“My sincerest thanks to the TVS Board, the staff of TVS and the many community producers and presenters who have committed their time and efforts to TVS over the past years.”

9 Responses

  3. My cousin received a notice from ISP Spintel last week. Their monthly unlimited data plan will increase by $10/mth to cover “costs with the need to expand infrastructure to accommodate the increase in streaming services and downloading”. So even if you don’t download or watch TV online, you will now be paying for those that do.

  4. – Thankfully this kind of thing hasn’t happened to community radio – I listen to more community radio than commercial
    – Since moving back to Sydney late last year (form Central Coast) I’ve actually watched more of TVS than a number of the multi-channels – but that is mostly by flicking past or looking at the EPG and recording shows. I wouldn’t go online for it.
    – Still don’t understand why, if it is an issue of spectrum, they can’t become part of SBS’s or ABC’s group of channels?

    1. “Still don’t understand why, if it is an issue of spectrum, they can’t become part of SBS’s or ABC’s group of channels?”

      It’s complicated, but basically boils down to (a) the space used would have to be taken from the already bitrate-starved existing channels (MPEG-4 simplifies, but doesn’t eliminate, that issue), and (b) the CTV channels are supposed to be community-based – if they were carried nationally or state-by-state the commercials would likely complain, & inserting them just in the existing cities would either leave spare ‘wasted’ bandwidth everywhere else or massively complicate the ABC’s playout/distribution/transmission.

  5. Vale TVS, You did no harm but your activities have been restricted by a Govt looking for monetary gain. From FTA to Pay (ISP) Per View. Yet another video stream in an already overcrowded Internet. Although your signal was weak in my area, I will miss your presence on the EPG.

  7. Shame all round. As Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull failed to stand up to his department that has wanted to get rid of CTV for years. TVS management failed to mount a sufficient case to the Government to keep its spectrum. There’s no shortage of spectrum. Look at all the light weight shopping channels on the Freeview platform. The losers will be the hundreds of producers who will lose their access to audiences (does anyone really think that VOD is the answer?) and the millions of viewers who found CTV programs interesting and relevant. Worst of all, CTV is one of the few places you can get on the job TV experience these days. So a whole generation of talented would-be producers, actors, presenters, camera operators and editors will have to find some other way to get foot in the door. Shame on all involved. Unnecessary and unhelpful.

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