ABA - NR52/2003

22 August 2003

Variation to digital channel plans in Wollongong, Inland NSW, Regional Queensland and Tasmania

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has varied digital channel plans for Inland New South Wales, Regional Queensland and Tasmania to include the allotment and assignment of digital channels for television repeater services at 16 locations.

The specific location of each service is provided in the attached backgrounder.

The ABA also varied the Wollongong digital channel plan to change the channels assigned to each commercial broadcaster at the Wollongong repeater site known as Brokers Nose. The national broadcasters have been given the option to change channel or retain their current channel for the same area.

"In making this decision, the ABA had particular regard for the interest of viewers who will experience less disruption and inconvenience to access the digital television broadcasts in the Wollongong region," said Professor David Flint, ABA Chairman.

"The ABA has at all times given the interests of viewers a high priority. However, the decision relating to the allotment of digital channels in Bathurst, NSW will require a change to the operating frequency of the CBN analog service. Fortunately, only relatively minor disruption to viewers is expected. They may need to retune their television sets and VCRs to minimise any degradation in picture quality," said Professor Flint.

"Public information, education campaigns and telephone hotlines will be established to deal with and provide timely advice on how to retune devices before any changes take place."

Explanatory papers, which discuss issues raised in submissions and explain the reasons for each decision, and the variations to the relevant digital channel plans are available on the ABA's web site. Copies can also be obtained from the ABA by calling Freecall 1 800 810 241.

Media contact Donald Robertson, ABA Manager Media and PR on (02) 9334 7980.

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Backgrounder

Schedule 4 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 sets out arrangements for the conversion, over time, of the transmission of television broadcasting services from analog mode to digital mode. Under the arrangements, the ABA is required to formulate two schemes for conversion - a commercial television conversion scheme (CTCS), and a national television conversion scheme (NTCS).

The CTCS commenced on 9 June 1999. The NTCS was approved by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts on 2 February 2000, and commenced on that date.

Table: Locations for additional digital television repeater services:

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