Advertising on Channel 31

[Apikecalledmike]

Hi I actually work at Channel 31 Vic. If you are interested in actual audience figures or rates give C31 a bell anytime, happy to talk with you directly. Obviously we have nothing rating on par with say CSI Miami, but lost of the shows have loyal audiences and cater to community interests and needs the commercial networks ignore. We can tailor a package to most peoples needs and budgets within reason.



C31's actively campaigning at the moment to get access to digital spectrum - spectrum that's readily available. In the past the gov has been positive about C31's future but obvioulsy the longer without digital the more difficult it is for C31 to survive.



Most new digital TV's have an anologue button on the remote to 'go back' 'to analogue but this is obvioulsy not viable long term or something most people are aware of likely to use to flick between channels.



Apologies for the long post!



Best wishes



Mike

[glen]

Hey Mike! I love channel 31. I like the fishing shows and spearing the menu is great too. How can we help to get you guys a digital frequency?

[Apikecalledmike]

Hi Glen, appreciate the comment, being a fellow fisherman and being a fan of those shows was one reason I decided to work here.



There is a link on the C31 website [url="http://www.c31.org.au/"][color="#800080"]www.c31.org.au[/color][/url] called 'Fair Go Kev' - via this link you can find a page of both email addresses and physical addresses for local members of parliament.



I'd suggest writing to your local member if you have the time and ask what's happening and enquire why community TV is being left behind! (Digitals been 10 years in the works)







Community TV isn't a big ticket issue for them currently - it’s a shame government can’t make the link beyond issues like underage ‘binge’ drinking, street violence, multicultural issues, youth sports club violence, youth training to see that Community TV plays a positive role in the community in addressing these issues and more. For example thousands of people have had on the job training and gained experience through C31. There are so many shows that help and can further help in all these areas.







Realistically the station won’t last without sponsors and sponsors in the main won’t continue without viewers. At the moment I wonder if the Federal Govermnet would prefer to see C31 slowly fade away and sell the spectrum at a later date to the highest bidder (anyone for ‘Go TV 2’ ?) I find this very frustrating as before in office The Fed Labour Party had professed to support C31 and the value of Community TV.







All the very best



Mike

[glen]

Thanks Mike,



I just sent the following letter to Alan Griffith on behalf of the forum.



Cheers, Glen

Hi Alan,



As my local member, I am writing to you to request that you use your influence to ensure that Channel 31 (Melbourne Community TV) gets a digital broadcasting licence.



I represent an online community called Melbourne Chat www.melbournechat.org. We are deeply upset about the failure of the Government to support community TV. Channel 31 is the best TV station we have and every effort should be made to support them in the new digital age.



As I am sure you are aware, as more and more people switch over the digital TV, they can no longer access channel 31. Therefore time is of the essence. It is important that Channel 31 not be forgotten by Melbournians simply because they never hear or read about it.



It would be apprciated if you could indicate whether you are supportive of Channel 31 and what steps you have taken or plan to take in relation to the providing Channel 31 with the digital spectrum.



Kind Regards,

[Apikecalledmike]

Sincere thanks Glen, really appreciate it.

Mike

[glen]

That is great news Peter!!!!



Here is some info about it:



[url="http://www.mctcltd.org.au/digital/"]http://www.mctcltd.org.au/digital/[/url]

THANKS KEV

C31 to Go Digital



An exciting new era is dawning for C31



C31 welcomes the Rudd Government announcement of a pathway for community television to make the transition to digital broadcasting.



C31 has been temporarily allocated vacant spectrum which will enable simulcast until the analogue switch-off in 2013. The Australian community television sector has also been allocated $2.6 million in funding support to help cover the cost of upgrading systems to enable digital broadcast.



Digital Frequently Asked Questions



* When will C31 start broadcasting in digital?



Now that the Federal Government has allocated digital spectrum and funding to C31, work is proceeding to implement digital transmission facilities. There will be a slight delay while the government funding becomes available, the technical details of the licence are finalised, and the transmitters are commissioned; but it is anticipated that digital broadcasting of C31 will commence in the first half of 2010



* Will C31 be simulcast in digital and analogue?



Yes. It is anticipated that analogue will continue until all analogue transmissions for all stations cease in 2013. After that time C31, like all other TV stations, will be available in digital only



* Will I need to buy new equipment to see C31 in digital?



If you already own a digital television or digital set-top box, you will be able to receive C31 when we start broadcasting in digital. You may need to re-scan the channels so that your digital television or set-top box will find our signal. If you don't yet have a digital television or set-top box, we recommend that you upgrade when C31 starts digital broadcasting



* Will C31's digital signal be as strong as the other stations?



Yes. One of the main advantages of going digital is that C31 will be broadcast at the same strength as the other channels, so no more snowy pictures!



* Will C31 be broadcast in widescreen?



Yes. Many of our programs are already produced in widescreen, and we will be encouraging all producers to move to widescreen production during 2010



* Will C31 broadcast in High Definition? Will C31 start multi-channelling like the other stations?



No. The Government has allocated sufficent broadcast spectrum for C31 to broadcast a single standard definition channel at this time



* Will C31 be able to be received in regional areas outside of Melbourne and Geelong?



No. C31's broadcast licence is only for the Melbourne and Geelong licence area (See map of licence area). There are no plans to expand beyond this area







C31 provides a vital service to the community - at no cost to the taxpayer.



* C31 provides a communication platform to marginalised and under-represented sections of the community.

* C31 airs over 95 locally produced shows each week making it by far the largest broadcaster of local content in Australia.

* C31 serves as a training ground for the entire television sector.

* C31 provides a marketing platform which enables local business to target a local audience using the power of television.

* C31 provides entertainment to 1.46 million people throughout Melbourne and Geelong each month.

* C31 does not receive any government funding.

[glen]

We get a crappy analog signal. But without a good aerial we would get an even worse digital signal! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[glen]

Renting! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[glen]

Shame they don't get 31!! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[glen]

Not sure. I didn't think so.

[glen]

Once they go digital then I can go digital <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[glen]

Channel 31 of course! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I look forward to getting the new "Go" channel since they have "The Nanny", and "Get Smart" <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />