the SC TV Site has been updated this is a media release <br /><br />
www.communitytv.com.au<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.communitytv.com.au/Images/SCTV_01.jpg" alt=" - " /> <br /><br />Media Release 19.03.05.<br /><br />A NEW MODEL OF COMMUNITY TV FOR AUSTRALIA<br /><br />Australia is about to experience something new in the world of media. For the first time a free-to-air, community-owned and operated TV station will be broadcasting by satellite. The satellite coverage is to the whole of Australia although the programming will be aimed at the viewers of Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Bathurst and Queanbeyan/Canberra where the programs will be produced. <br /><br />The station is being operated by a group know as Satellite Community TV and will occupy Channel 41 on the UBI World TV platform on the Optus B3 satellite. Satellite Community TV (SCTV) is made up of a group of program providers and people interested in returning community TV to Sydney after an absence of 12 months. <br /><br />The Sydney group have been joined by community TV enthusiasts in Wollongong, Newcastle, Bathurst and the Queanbeyan/ Canberra region to put together programs to service those viewers whose current needs are not being serviced by existing media in those areas. <br /><br />SCTV is a hands-on, accessible organization that represents community aspirations and expresses the programmatic needs of community interests in Sydney and several regions of NSW particularly for those viewers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. <br /><br />SCTV has established a transmission relationship with UBI World TV whose platform will carry the SCTV signal via the Optus B3 satellite. <br /><br />UBI World TV’s CEO, Sam Bilge, is enthusiastic as to the relationship established with SCTV. “We are extremely happy and excited to launch the first free-to-air community television on our DTH platform in line with our goals of servicing the migrant and multicultural groups in Australia. We welcome SCTV on our channel line-up that signals our launch of free-to-air services that want to access the state-of-the art technical facilities offered by UBI World TV. <br /><br />Today, UBI World TV already has more than 40 24-hour satellite channels devoted to community language programming. " <br /><br />To get Channel 41 on the UBI platform you will need a receiver and a small satellite dish pointed to the Optus B3 satellite. <br /><br />SCTV is hoping that this new station can lead the way to further initiatives for community broadcasters in the regions by establishing an efficient, modestly-resourced, decentralized model catering to the needs of community groups who would normally struggle to find a voice in mainstream media. <br /><br />“We look forward to working closely with UBI to foster a relationship sensitive to the needs of niche communities in this country. We appreciate the efforts that UBI has extended to us to make our endeavour possible,” said Kit Karunaratne, one of the program providers for SCTV. <br /><br />SCTV program highlights are being broadcast on Channel 41 on the UBI World TV platform and the Station expects to be broadcasting on a regular basis by 2 nd April. <br /><br />For further information see the SCTV website at
www.communitytv.com.au<br /><br />Contact: <br />Kit Karunaratne 0417 216 003, <br />Keith Murphy Illawarra Community TV 4285 9894, <br />John Reynolds ARTV 9564 1277, <br />John Kirk NovaCast TV 4961 2016, <br />Tracey Sorensen WARP TV 0414 955 049, <br />SCTV 9660 3682 / 9299 9866 or email: info@communitytv.com.au<br /> <br /> <small>[ 24. March 2005, 08:55 PM: Message edited by: -.Lazer.- ]</small>