The communications authority has issued a community television trial licence for Perth to West TV, which will provide an analog television service to be known as New Vision 31.
The announcement is below:
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has issued a community television trial licence for Perth. The successful applicant, West TV Ltd, will provide an analog television service, to be known as New Vision 31. New Vision 31 expects to commence broadcasting within the next six months and the trial is for a period of two years.
'Very encouragingly there was a very strong field of applicants for the licence. The number and calibre of aspirants is testament to the wealth of creative talent and strength of commitment to community-based television in Perth,' said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.
On 27 September 2008, ACMA called for expressions of interest in providing a trial community-based television service in Perth for two years. ACMA received four applications by the 24 October 2008 closing date. The applications were from West TV Ltd, Community & Educational Media WA Ltd, Perth Community Television Ltd and Community Urban Broadcaster.
West TV best demonstrated that its proposed service would meet the existing and perceived future needs of a broad cross-section of the Perth community. ACMA met with all applicants in November 2008. At the meeting with West TV, it undertook, if successful, to offer to involve the other applicants in providing the service, including by giving them opportunities to broadcast.
'ACMA was impressed by the program production skills and broadcasting expertise of the other applicants and encourages them to embrace West TV's offer,' Mr Chapman said.
ACMA assessed the applications on merit and considered West TV best able to provide the proposed service. This includes the financial, managerial and technical capacity to successfully meet the existing and future needs of the community. In addition, it demonstrated the capability to involve the broader community in the operations and programming of the service.
