Community radio responds to Turnbull Government’s $6.1m funding increase for digital

Community radio representatives have responded with delight to the Federal Government’s announcement it will increase funding to the sector by $6.1 million over two years.

This is in addition to the current $15 million provided through the Community Broadcasting Program.

According to the sector, the funding will provide certainty, security and relief for its involvement in digital broadcasting across this period.

It will help maintain metropolitan digital radio services, the planned expansion of digital radio to Canberra, Darwin, Hobart and the Gold Coast.

“It comes at a critical period for the sector,” stressed Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBA) CEO Jon Bisset.

Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF) President Peter Batchelor emphasised, “The costs of expanding digital services (are) prohibitive for a non-profit sector that is run on passion and community goodwill.”

Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield made the announcement on Melbourne community station 89.9 LightFM.

The extra spill into the coffers breaks down to $1.9 million in 2017/8 and $2 million in 2018/9.

A further $2.2 million will support stations affected by the reorganisation of the 803-960 MHz radio frequency band. It will assist in covering the hard costs associated with this transition, and is especially critical for regional and rural stations in maintaining essential infrastructure.

Minister Fifield said during the LightFM interview with presenters Lucy and Kel, “It’s important that the community radio sector has certainty.

“We recognise it is important that we make funding provision to ensure that this important work that community radio does can be supported and that the transition to digital radio can be supported.”

“Keep doing the fantastic work that you do… when Government ministers talk about grants of money, this isn’t the Government’s money, this is the community’s money… that your listeners have paid in tax… we are simply the conduit to direct money on behalf of the community for good purposes.”

He hoped its funding will continue development of content, training for workers, transmission infrastructure, online services and broadcasting of Australian music, as well as content for Indigenous and ethnic channels and for Australians with print disability.

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The CBA’s Bisset said, “For 40 years, Australian governments have been committed to community radio standing alongside commercial and national radio services on available free-to-air broadcast platforms.

“This increased funding supports community digital radio services over the next two years. We want to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved in helping us keep the community in your radio.”

He confirmed that the CBAA will continue working with the Government to ensure the sector’s long term sustainability.

The CBF’s Batchelor, who called the new funding “a welcome relief” went on to say, “We are delighted that the Government recognises the value of community radio and has responded to the sector’s request for support.

“In a time of significant disruption to traditional media, community radio is growing in listeners, is providing independent local news and information and is continuing to be well connected to local communities and communities of interest.”

According to the CBAA, the 450+ stations recorded a record national listenership in 2017.

Servicing those interested in local and specialist content not supplied by other broadcasters, it attracts 5.3 million a week.

Further figures provided to the CBAA by McNair Ingenuity Research show that of the 28% of Australians who tune in, there is a great loyalty to community radio stations. 8% don’t listen to commercial radio, and 12% not to the ABC or SBS.