The Broadcasting Services Amendment (Community Television) Bill 2024 extends the licences of Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide.
The channels’ licences were due to expire on 30 June this year, but they will now stay on air until an alternative use for the radiofrequency spectrum they use has been found.
This gives greater certainty for community television staff, volunteers, sponsors and audiences.
The new law gives the Australian Communications and Media Authority the power to declare when an alternative use has been realised, and to determine a specified date from which the 2 channels will need to transition away from terrestrial broadcasting.
The new legislation also harmonises the Codes of Practice regime to bring Channel 31 and Channel 44 in line with the same code as developed by the Australian Community Television Alliance.
Find out more:
- Read the Minister’s media release