Community TV is a type of media that broadcasts in a local area. Services are operated by not-for-profit organisations and are made available free of charge to the general public.
Community TV services involve community members in content production, operations and governance. They offer a range of programs that reflect the community's needs and interests, and share stories that are often not available in other media.
There are 3 community TV services in Australia:
- C31—Channel 31 in Melbourne
- C44—Channel 44 in Adelaide
- Indigenous Community Television—Channel 41 in Alice Springs and Broome, Channel 601 on VAST.
In December 2024, the government announced that community TV will get a $3 million funding boost for 3 years from 2025–26. The funding will be available through the Community Broadcasting Program.
Licensing
Community TV services must have a licence and comply with the conditions in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
You can learn more about community TV licences on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) website.
Codes of Practice
The ACMA regulates community TV services in Australia, using industry Codes of Practice.
The codes are in place to ensure that community TV services benefit the community. These codes help to:
- maintain standards for content
- guidelines for news and current affairs programs
- encourage community participation
- handle conflicts and complaints.
If you have a complaint about something you've watched on community TV, contact the service. If you're not happy with the response, you can complain to the ACMA.