The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia today welcomes the report Community Television: Options for digital broadcasting, which calls for immediate action on community television gaining access to digital spectrum. The CBAA particularly welcomes the inclusion of the recommendation of a 'must carry community television provision' on the sale of Channel A, which the Government is currently preparing to sell.

It is also significant that this report for the first time canvasses the issue of Government funding to support the additional costs of digital simulcasting for community television.

The report from the House Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts was tabled in Parliament this afternoon by committee Chair, The Hon Jackie Kelly MP. It includes five key recommendations which the committee view as “the only way community television will survive the transition to digital...”

In opening the report, Jackie Kelly comments “Community television should be able to participate in the exciting future of digital broadcasting and continue to develop the richness, diversity and experimentation which have characterised its growth to this point. Any delay in ensuring digital broadcasting would be irresponsible and fly in the face of all Australian Government undertakings to date.”

Deputy Chair of the Committee, Julie Owens MP also spoke to the report emphasising that community television has a large and dedicated audience and that the Government needed to take immediate action to ensure that these communities were not left out by the transition to digital.

The recommendations include a 'must carry provision' on the sale of channel A which ensures that the successful bidder this channel must provide broadcasting access to community television stations by January 2008. This move is critical for the community television sector.

Another key recommendation is for a funding package to support the digital transition which includes funding of $6 million for the conversion of broadcast equipment, plus a further $1.7 million per year of simulcast.

Andrew Brine, CBAA's Vice President of community television said “The timing of community television's move to digital is crucial so the committee's recommendation for a must carry provision by 2008 is very encouraging. The other recommendations are also most welcome and will provide a great benefit to the community television sector.”

Community Television: Options for digital broadcasting is available here