West TV
Encyclopedia
West TV or WTV, previously New Visions 31, is a free-to-air community television station that began broadcasting in standard definition digital format on logical channel
Virtual channel
In telecommunications, a logical channel number , also known as virtual channel, is a channel designation which differs from that of the actual radio channel on which the signal travels....

 44 in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....

 on 10 April 2010 at 10 am.

History

The station was awarded a two year trial license by the Australian Communications and Media Authority
Australian Communications and Media Authority
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is an Australian government statutory authority within the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio...

 after the closure of previous Perth community station license holder Access 31
Access 31
Access 31 was a free-to-air Community television station based in Perth, Australia which operated between 1999 and 2008 before closing due to insolvency. The station had broadcast on UHF 31 from the ABC's television mast at Bickley in the Perth Hills...

 in 2008 followed by an apparatus license at the end of April 2009. On 4 November 2009 Communications Minister Stephen Conroy
Stephen Conroy
Stephen Michael Conroy is an Australian politician and the current Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy in the Gillard Ministry...

 approved a digital TV only license which allows West TV to broadcast with other community television stations which are planning to simulcast their services until the switch to digital-only television in capital cities by 2014.

On 1 April 2010, the first video test was performed, with a testcard and then a promotional video loop going to air.

Programming

West TV features a broad range of local programs broadcast around the clock, seven days a week. The programming reflects the diversity and needs of the Perth community and includes documentaries, films, sport, music, education, religion, multicultural, entertainment, leisure and lifestyle programs.

The focus is on WA-based programming, although some programs are sourced from interstate community channels and from other professional program makers world-wide. As the station progresses, increasing levels of local programming will feature. Upcoming examples include the entertainment show Friday Night Live and current affairs program Undercurrent.

West TV also broadcasts classic movies and television shows and also live programming and news bulletins from Deutsche Welle
Deutsche Welle
Deutsche Welle or DW, is Germany's international broadcaster. The service is aimed at the overseas market. It broadcasts news and information on shortwave, Internet and satellite radio on 98.7 DZFE in 30 languages . It has a satellite television service , that is available in four languages, and...

 and Al Jazeera English.

The channel's schedule is currently available on its website and listings now appear in The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times (Western Australia)
The Sunday Times, owned by News Limited, is a tabloid Sunday newspaper printed in Perth and distributed throughout Western Australia.-History:...

 and The West Australian
The West Australian
The West Australian is the only locally-edited daily newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia, and is owned by ASX-listed Seven West Media . The West is published in tabloid format, as is the state's other major newspaper, The Sunday Times, a News Limited publication...

 and are also now available on an EPG guide, with more outlets to follow.

West TV was given the broadcast rights to the world exclusive concert for UK superstar Sir Cliff Richard & The Shadows. The concert is planned to screen in June 2010 and has been sponsored by www.cliffrichardshadows.com

Continual research and development of WTV's digital broadcast systems allows WTV 44 to compete with the big commercials. With new technologies implemented, WTV 44 has achieved Outside Broadcasts live from Bar 138 on Barrack for their Live to Air Launch event, and share with audiences The Tom Hoad Cup VIII - International Water Polo Tournament Live from Melville.

Controversy

Original board member David Valentin was removed from his position after allegations arose that he had falsified his credentials, presenting those of an American visual effects specialist of the same name as his own.

See also

  • Channel 31
  • Television broadcasting in Australia
  • Australian Community Television Alliance
    Australian Community Television Alliance
    The Australian Community Television Alliance is a not-for-profit industry association representing free-to-air community television channels licensed by the Australian Government under the Cth...


External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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