Question

Can I continue to watch the community TV?

Answer

Spectrum has temporarily been allocated to community TV stations C31 in Melbourne, TVS in Sydney, QCTV in Brisbane and Channel 31 in Adelaide to simulcast their services until the switch to digital-only television in capital cities in 2013.

TVS commenced simulcasting its service via digital broadcasts in March 2010, and a new trial community broadcasting licensee, West TV in Perth, commenced digital-only broadcasts in April 2010. Melbourne and Brisbane simulcast services commenced in June, and Adelaide will commence digital services later in the year.

If community TV is being transmitted in analog-only in your area, you will still be able to receive the community TV channels if you have your TV set up to receive both analog and digital signals. If you do not know how to do this, your local TV supplier should be able to supply you with the correct cabling. Many new sets on the market now have dual analog and digital tuners and are capable of receiving the community TV channels. If you're buying a new digital TV and want to continue to watch the community TV channels prior to the digital simulcast in your area you should ask your retailer to advise you which digital TV sets also have analog tuners.