Access 31 gets the thumbs up

Tuesday, 17 October, 2000 - 21:00
JUST one year since starting operations, 82 per cent of Perth people are aware of Access 31 (Channel 31), according to a recent survey conducted by the station.

Access 31 program development coordinator Julia Cordier said about 250,000 people watched the station every week.

“This is a solid effort in just our first year,” Ms Cordier said.

“Our membership drive was a test for the station in that we produced live-to-air shows every day. The shows were lively and viewer response to them was fantastic.

“We received a lot of support with great response to our membership drive hotline.”

Access 31 general manager Andrew Brine said program development and sponsorship were increasing.

“Program providers and sponsors are re-signing which is a clear indication that both areas are working well for our clients,” Mr Brine said.

“New program ideas and proposals are continuing to come in and existing successful programs are preparing new series and, in some cases, extending their half-hour time slots.”

Ms Cordier said Access 31 presentation operations manager Steve Nikola provided training for volunteers, some of who had been successful securing full time positions in the commercial television industry.

“Volunteers have gained hands-on experience in camera, audio and video tape operations,” she said.

“Studio productions have increased and are set to grow even more due to the demand for studio panel program content. New programming includes Fair Dinkum Weekend, which covers dirt kart racing, and Breaking Barriers, a series produced by The Muslim College.

“Our BBC World News coverage and Bloomberg attracts a wide audience, along with our sports programming.

“Series returns include the British Soccer Show, a British Premier League panel show with guests, Tightlines, a fishing program that now runs for a full hour, and Flicktease, our movie review panel show.”