There was an impressive turnout at the Antenna Awards that were held on Wednesday night at the Deakin Edge Theatre at Federation Square. Over 400 representatives from the community television sector, the film and television industry, local business and local, state and federal governments were in attendance.
The event was hosted by Tegan Higginbotham with guest presenters such as former community television personalities Dave Thorton and Tommy Little.
These awards recognise and showcase outstanding community television programs across Australia. This year the event also celebrated the milestone of 20 years of programming by Channel 31 Australia, the country’s largest community broadcaster, now broadcasting digitally on Channel 44.
This was a fantastic event to be a part and to see the incredible diversity of programs being recognised. The timing of the award show couldn’t be more timely. Just several weeks early the Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull sent the community television landscape upside down by announcing its broadcast licenses would be terminated by the end of 2015.
By killing off community broadcasting, the network that begun the careers of thousands including Rove, Hamish and Andy, Peter Helliar, Jo Stanley and Dave Hughes will now only exist as an online channel.
This sour news was expressed by numerous presenters and winners in their speeches on the night. A seat was even reserved for Malcom Turnbull.
I was devastated when I heard that they were switching off community TV. Not only as a regular viewer but as I have worked on some of the top programs on C31 Melbourne such as Melbourne 22, Live on Bowen, 31 Questions and 1700. Working on these shows was a wonderful experience for me whilst studying film and television. It gave me the opportunity to learn and offered creative freedom in a way that was not allowed in the ‘real world’.
Community television is a great training ground because there is such a big gap between the courses and working in commercial television. Finding a job in the industry has been difficult, but volunteering on community television has kept me connected by gaining new production skills, meeting and networking with industry professionals.
There are thousands of talented people across Australia who give up their time and volunteer on many different programs, often with little reward. Producers, cameras operators, audio technicians and presenters just to name a few.
Turning off the signal is a devastating blow to creativity, education and practical experience. People still prefer watching television on a television; not everyone is tech savvy, or has access to a computer. The older generation in particular would be loath to watch programs online. In many ways, internet television is still in its infancy.
It took Australian television nearly fourteen years to make the jump from analogue to digital. Online television is still new; it will be a long time before every Australian home has a good enough internet connection for watching community television online. People will struggle watching online community television, given the download speeds of at least three megabits per second it requires. Not all users have access to that amount of data. For regional dwellers, it will be like using the internet in the 1990s.
Online television would completely alter the advertising model which would negatively affect sponsorship. Restricted viewing would certainly discourage the adverting dollar.
An extract from an article written by media commentator David M. Green illustrates this point perfectly. “The audience gap between televisions and online: An episode of my quiz show 31 Questions was seen by 46,000 people on C31 Melbourne and Geelong when it aired in June. Since then, that same episode on YouTube has garnered an impressive 142 views. Of course, a video of a cat can attract several billion views on the internet, but that’s not what community television is about. Community television is a service for the community. And presently, the community is sitting on a couch in front of the TV.”
I continue to support community television and hope others will follow and force Malcom Turnbull to rethink his decision on terminating its signal. Community television is all about giving back to the community and creating a platform. It is so disappointing when all the other major broadcasters have additional channels and a wealth of resources only to use it for repeats of low brow shows like Two and A Half Men and infomercials. Seriously who is up at 3 am and so desperately wanting to buy the Ab King Pro exercise equipment?
Here is the complete list of the nominees and winners. Winners are in bold.
Program of the Year
No Limits
The Foundis Show
Get Dirty With Milton
The Y Generation
Being Overseas
Outstanding Male Personality
Aaron McCarthy from LIVE ON BOWEN
Chris Gibson from LEONGATHA
Vasili Kanidiadis from VASILI’S GARDEN TO KITCHEN
Luis Brown from FAMOUS WITH LUIS
Jeremy Dooley from ASYLUM TV
Outstanding Female Personality
Candice Barnes from THE BUZZ
Phyllis Foundis from THE FOUNDIS SHOW
Yana Portnoy from FASX
Lindi Jane from SNAPS KAKADU CLUB
Lara Shannon from ECO TV
Outstanding Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Program
Dutch TV
Oz Indian
Disability In The Solomons
Indigenous Models Of Achievement
Russian News Time
Outstanding Music Program
Asylum TV
Speaker TV
The Story So Far
Frequency
Basement Apes Live
Outstanding Factual, Current Affairs or Interview Program
Top Brands
No Limits
The Exchange
Undercurrent
Inside Art
Outstanding Youth Program
Real
1700
The Why Generation
Snaps Kakadu Club
Enquiring Minds
Outstanding Sports Program
Australian Electric Superbikes
Rev Heds
The Local Footy Show
The Sledge
Blend Line TV
Outstanding Outdoor or Recreational Program
Beyond Gardens Live
The Green Corridors of Southern Sydney
Rev Heds – Calder Park Raceway
Vasili’s Garden To Kitchen
Beyond The Divide
Outstanding Special Interest or Lifestyle Program
AFN Fishing Show
Being Overseas: Japan
Get Dirty With Milton
Postcards From The Bush
Beyond The Divide
Outstanding Comedy Program
Live On Bowen
Community Kitchen
Schlocky Horror Picture Show
Famous With Luis
31 Questions
Outstanding Arts Program
Wood Working Masterclass
Sacred Spaces
Inside Art
Behind The Words
The Bec Mac Show
Outstanding Creative Achievement In A Program
Being Overseas
Jumping Jellybeans
Live On Bowen
Leongatha
The Buzz