Darwin’s commercial television broadcasters are seeking regulatory approval to share transmission infrastructure, in a move that highlights the growing pressure on regional free-to-air television and the industry’s push to reduce operating costs.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has opened consultation on proposed changes to Darwin’s television licence area plan after the three local commercial television licensees requested permission to consolidate their services onto two transmitters instead of three.
The new arrangements have already been operating since 14 October, with the proposed changes intended to formally recognise the consolidation. While the ACMA says viewers will continue receiving the existing range of broadcasting services, eight multichannels have already ceased broadcasting in Darwin.
Nine, Seven and 10 share transmitters
The request was submitted to the ACMA on 7 September by Territory Television, Regional Television and Darwin Digital Television.
Territory Television, owned by WIN Corporation, carries Nine programming, while Regional Television, owned by Southern Cross Media Group (now Seven Media Group), carries Seven programming. Darwin Digital Television is a joint venture between the two companies and carries Network 10 programming.
Under the new arrangements, Nine and Network 10 programming share one transmitter, while Seven and Network 10 programming share another. The changes cover Darwin, Darwin City and Batchelor.
The ACMA is proposing to amend the Darwin television licence area plan to reflect the shared arrangements, including reallocating transmission channels and removing the allocations associated with transmitters no longer being used.
The regulator says the consolidation will reduce the broadcasters’ capital and operating costs while maintaining the quality of television services. It has indicated that, subject to the consultation, it intends to make the requested transmitter consolidation declarations and give the changes effect from 14 October.
The proposal does not remove any of the three main commercial networks from Darwin. However, the implementation has already resulted in the closure of eight multichannels: Network 10’s SBN, Gecko, YouTV and Ten SD, alongside Nine’s 9SD, 9Gen SD, 9Go SD and Extra.
The coding of 10 Comedy SD, 10 Drama SD and 9Life SD has also changed from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, which could require some viewers with older television sets to upgrade their equipment.
Regional television under pressure
The Darwin proposal comes as regional broadcasters continue to restructure operations and reconsider the cost of maintaining free-to-air services in smaller markets.
In July 2024, Mildura Digital Television, jointly owned by WIN and Seven, ceased broadcasting Network 10 programming after the owners determined the operation was no longer commercially viable. The closure left viewers in the region without terrestrial access to Network 10 and its multichannels.
The following year, WIN consolidated transmission arrangements in the Mount Gambier and Riverland licence areas, bringing services previously carried under separate licences onto shared infrastructure.
More recently, Network 10 services ceased broadcasting in Mount Gambier, the Riverland and Griffith on 9 October after WIN and Paramount failed to reach a longer-term agreement. The withdrawals followed months of negotiations and a temporary arrangement that allowed the channels to remain on air while the parties attempted to reach a deal.
The circumstances in each market are different, but the developments point to the same underlying challenge: the cost of maintaining regional television services as broadcasters contend with a fragmented advertising market, rising operating costs and audiences increasingly using online platforms.
Darwin’s proposed consolidation is not equivalent to the withdrawal of Network 10 from those other markets. Instead, it demonstrates how broadcasters are looking to share infrastructure and reduce costs while continuing to provide services.
However, with eight multichannels already gone in Darwin, the latest changes raise further questions about how regional broadcasters will balance the commercial realities of transmission with the range of services available to viewers.
ACMA invites public submissions
The ACMA says its proposal would support the efficient use of spectrum and facilitate a more efficient broadcasting industry while maintaining the existing range of services.
The regulator is inviting submissions on the proposed variation to the Darwin television licence area plan, with responses due by 5pm AEDT on Friday 13 November 2026.
The consultation paper and draft variation are available on the ACMA website HERE.
… just think what regional television could have been if Bob hadn’t introduced “aggregation” so that his bestie, Big Kezza, would keep helping Bob win elections …