Launched 10 April 2010 Picture format 576i (SDTV) 16:9 Country Australia Founded 2010 | Owned by West TV Ltd Slogan The only one for me Language English Motto The only one for me | |
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West TV (WTV) is a free-to-air community television station that began broadcasting in standard definition digital format on logical channel 44 in Perth on 10 April 2010 at 10 am.
Contents
History
The station was awarded a two-year trial licence by the Australian Communications and Media Authority after the closure of previous Perth community station licence holder Access 31 in 2008 followed by an apparatus licence at the end of April 2009. On 4 November 2009 Communications Minister Stephen Conroy approved a digital TV only licence which allows West TV to broadcast with other community television stations which are planning to simulcast their services until the switch to digital-only television in capital cities by 2014.
On 1 April 2010, the first video test was performed, with a testcard and then a promotional video loop going to air.
In September 2014, Australian federal communications minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that licensing for community television stations would end in December 2015. In September 2015, Turnbull, now Prime Minister, announced an extension of the deadline to 31 December 2016. The deadline was again extended to 30 June 2017 by Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield in December 2016. WTV, like other community television stations, is moving operations online, and streams its channel live on their website which allows access to viewers outside of its traditional broadcast area.
Programming
West TV features a broad range of local programs broadcast around the clock, seven days a week. The programming reflects the diversity and needs of the Perth community and includes documentaries, films, sport, music, education, religion, multicultural, entertainment, leisure and lifestyle programs.
The focus is on WA-based programming, although some programs are sourced from interstate community channels and from other professional programme makers world-wide. As the station progresses, increasing levels of local programming will feature. Upcoming examples include the entertainment show Friday Night Live and current affairs program Undercurrent.
West TV also broadcasts classic movies and television shows and also live programming and news bulletins from Deutsche Welle and Al Jazeera English.
The channel's schedule is currently available on its website and listings now appear in The Sunday Times and The West Australian and are also now available on an EPG guide, with more outlets to follow.
West TV was given the broadcast rights to the world exclusive concert for UK superstar Sir Cliff Richard & The Shadows. The concert was planned to screen in June 2010 and has been sponsored by www.cliffrichardshadows.com
Continual research and development of WTV's digital broadcast systems allows WTV 44 to compete with the big commercials. With new technologies implemented, WTV 44 has achieved outside broadcasts live from Bar 138 on Barrack for their Live to Air launch event, and share with audiences The Tom Hoad Cup VIII - International Water Polo Tournament Live from Melville.
Controversy
Original board member David Valentin was removed from his position after allegations arose that he had falsified his credentials, presenting those of an American visual effects specialist of the same name as his own.