Reports surfaced earlier today that the Mildura television license area was set to lose access to Network 10 programming from June 30 2024.
Local Radio station River 1467 reported that “Mildura residents will no longer be able to watch channel 10 or its Bold and Peach channels on free to-air television from June 30th as Mildura Digital Television Pty Ltd shuts down“.
Mildura Digital Television Pty Ltd is a 50/50 venture within the Mildura area of Western Victoria, jointly owned by regional broadcaster WIN Television (majorly Nine Network affiliate) and Seven West Media, and began broadcasting on January 1 2006 to an audience of roughly 66,000 viewers.
Member for Mallee and long-term Mildura resident Dr Anne Webster said:
“Mildura has been put in The Dog House by the SevenWest – WIN joint venture, effectively telling local residents I’m an Australian Operation, Get Me Out of Here!”
Shadow Minister for Communications David Coleman added:
“It’s called the Commercial Broadcasting Tax, and in 2023, TV broadcasters were forced to pay over $44 million for it.”
“The tax disproportionately affects regional broadcasters.”
“If they didn’t have to pay this tax, they’d have more money to invest in staff and programs for local communities.”
Southern Cross Austereo announced in 2022 an agreement to provide exclusive national sales representation services to MDT starting from July 1 that year in an attempt to simplify buying for media agencies and national advertisers.
The station has reportedly been a loss maker for both WIN & Seven for some time, with the recent weakening ad market, especially for regional broadcasters being the driver behind the decision to cease broadcasting in this area.
Regional viewers in the area affected by the change will still be able to access Network 10 programming which includes shows like MasterChef, Survivor Australia, Have You Been Paying Attention? and The Cheap Seats through the broadcasters BVOD live-streaming and catch-up service 10 Play.
It is understood that other free-to-air commerical networks Channel 7 and 9, as well as public broadcasters the ABC and SBS, will not be impacted by any changes that have been announced.
This post updates
Credit: River1467
Is this the Beginning of the end for 10 as a Free-to-air Broadcaster?
Will SCA take it?
This is the end…..
Should be a Government service
But they can still use Tenplay 😳
This will be a very sad day for Mildura people who will have no access to Channel 10. If Mildura people want to watch Channel 10’s programs, they may have to sign up with 10Play to live stream programs or catch up the shows that they have missed. However, the real problem is that not every Mildura people have faster internet broadband connection.