National Indigenous Television

"NITV" redirects here. For the current satellite network for Iranian expatriates broadcasting from the United States, see National Iranian Television (US). For the first Iranian television organisation, see National Iranian Radio & Television.
National Indigenous Television
Launched 13 July 2007
Owned by Special Broadcasting Service
Picture format PAL (576i) 16:9
Slogan Telling Your Stories
Country Australia
Language English
Broadcast area Nationally
Headquarters Artarmon, New South Wales, Australia
Replaced ICTV
Sister channel(s) SBS One
SBS HD
SBS Two
SBS Three
Website nitv.org.au
Availability
Terrestrial
UHF (DVB-T 64-QAM)
Freeview (virtual) 34
Satellite
VAST (DVB-S2 8PSK)
VAST (virtual) 34
Foxtel/Austar (virtual) 144
Cable
UHF (DVB-C QAM)
Foxtel/Austar (virtual) 144
TransACT (virtual) 502

The National Indigenous Television channel, commonly referred to as NITV, is an Australian television channel that broadcasts programming produced primarily by indigenous peoples of Australia.

It was initially only carried by cable and satellite providers, along with some limited over-the-air transmissions in certain remote areas; In 2010 the Australian Government commissioned a wide-ranging review of its investment in the Indigenous broadcasting and media sector. The review was headed up by retired senior public servant Neville Stevens with the assistance of Expert Panel members Laurie Patton and Kerrynne Liddle. The review recommended that NITV continue to receive government funding only on the basis that it was re-structured.

Subsequently, Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy invited NITV to enter in negotiations with the Special Broadcasting Service to access one of that network's unused digital terrestrial channels. SBS took over the management and operation of NITV on 1 July 2012, and the network was re-launched as a free-to-air channel on Freeview channel 34 on 12 December 2012

History

Indigenous groups and individuals lobbied the Australian Government to fund a nationwide Indigenous television service in the 1980s and 90s, however no major political party championed this cause.

In the late 1990s the Imparja Info Channel (also known as "Channel 31") was launched free-to-view on the satellite Optus Aurora service, providing largely Aboriginal programming direct to homes and via network of BRACS transmitters to remote Aboriginal communities. The Aboriginal programming on this channel later became known as Indigenous Community Television.

In 2004, Imparja stated a desire to run a better funded service, at least within its license area.[1] In the same year, a voluntary NITV Committee was formed and a summit was held in Redfern, Sydney. The summit involved a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media professionals and community members committed to the establishment of a national Indigenous broadcasting service.

In 2005 the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts considered funding an indigenous public broadcaster, and subsequently conducted a review process. Following the conclusion of the report, the Government of Australia announced $48.5 million in funding for NITV.[2]

In 2007, NITV established a head office in Alice Springs and a television arm in Sydney. On 13 July 2007 NITV launched, replacing Imparja Info Channel on Optus Aurora and in the remote Aboriginal communities it previously reached. It soon after also became available free-to-air on Optus D1 to Australia and eastern Papua New Guinea .

NITV announced in September 2007 that it would also launch on Australian subscription television services, and has commenced on 1 November 2007 on Foxtel and Austar's satellite service on channel 180, with it becoming available on its cable service soon after. It shows Australian programs and sports like The Last Tasmanian, The Ngurratjuta Lighting Cup, The Marngrook Footy Show, Letterbox, Burned Bridge, and the annual NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout.[3]

On 30 April 2010, NITV ceased broadcasting on Sydney's digital television Datacasting service along with Teachers TV, Australian Christian Channel, the home shopping channel EXPO and other services.

On 8 May 2012, SBS received $158m in government funding, of which $15m a year would be dedicated to a new free to air Indigenous Australian channel which would replace NITV in July 2012, with 90% of staff transferring to this new channel. SBS did not initially comment on whether the new channel would maintain the NITV branding. NITV was re-launched on 12 December 2012 by SBS as a free-to-air channel on Freeview channel 34. Among its launch day programmes were two live broadcasts from Uluru, including From the Heart of Our Nation, a two-hour event to mark the channel's launch at Noon, and a concert in primetime simulcast by SBS One.[4][5][6][7]

Programming

NITV's line-up focuses on programming of interest to and showcasing indigenous Australians, such as documentaries, current affairs programs (such as Living Black), sports (such as The Marngrook Footy Show), adult animation (such as The Boondocks) and a block of domestic and international children's programming focusing on indigenous and aboriginal culture (under the name Jarjums), and films.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Services Provision Review". DCITA. July 2004. Retrieved 12 July 2007.
  2. ↑ "New Network". The Australian. 22 February 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  3. ↑ NITV – Media Room
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "NITV: Launch Day". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  5. ↑ David Knox. "$158m funding boost for SBS". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "New Indigenous TV channel for SBS". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  7. ↑ "SBS – but wait there's more...". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 May 2012.

External links