Access 31
| Company type | Community television broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | June 18, 1999 |
| Defunct | August 6, 2008 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
Area served | Perth, Western Australia |
Key people | Andrew Brine (CEO) |
| Products | Community television programming |
Number of employees | Reduced staff before closure |
Access 31 (callsign ATW-31) was a free-to-air community television broadcaster located in Perth, Western Australia. It operated from 1999 until its closure in 2008 due to financial insolvency. The station transmitted on UHF channel 31 using NEW's transmission tower at Carmel in the Perth Hills. Additionally, it was accessible via the Westlink Network through the Optus Aurora satellite platform and certain terrestrial repeaters, including one serving Albany.
History
Launching its broadcast on 18 June 1999, Access 31 obtained a permanent licence by 2002. The station's original premises were situated at Edith Cowan University's Mt Lawley campus before relocating to Belmont towards the end of 2003.
Dedicated primarily to community-produced programming, Access 31 once reached an audience exceeding 800,000 viewers monthly, competing strongly with other broadcasters. However, as digital television adoption increased during the mid-2000s, the station's audience diminished. This decline was largely due to the absence of digital spectrum allocation for analogue-only community Channel 31 broadcasters—a challenge that remained unaddressed by the Australian Federal Government. The resulting drop in viewership adversely affected advertising income, contributing to an estimated debt of $600,000. By June 2008, the station announced it faced imminent shutdown unless additional funding was secured alongside government assurances for digital broadcasting access.
A financial lifeline totalling $750,000 was arranged through contributions from Lotterywest and Perth architect Garry Baverstock, intended to support operations for approximately eighteen months while awaiting governmental intervention. To manage expenses, Access 31 implemented reductions in staffing levels, volunteer involvement, broadcasting hours, and internal content production. Subsequent reports suggested that $1.3 million would be necessary to maintain services until December 2009 when a government bailout was anticipated.
Closure
Access 31 ended its broadcasts at 5pm AWST on 6 August 2008 after losing both the Lotterywest grant and private financial backing. The station's CEO, Andrew Brine, resigned the day before due to unpaid wages, leaving content providers unaware of the impending shutdown.
Fred Mafrica, known for hosting and producing the well-liked program The Couch, volunteered to manage the station temporarily with the help of nearly 100 volunteers while attempting to secure government assistance. Proposals to revive the channel also came from local media proprietor Ma Xi Bo and a group affiliated with Murdoch University. Despite these efforts, on 1 September 2008, the board decided to liquidate Access 31’s assets to cover outstanding debts. Later that month, the Australian Communications and Media Authority officially revoked the station’s broadcasting licence.
Programming
Access 31 featured a range of popular local shows including Wake Up! WA, a live morning breakfast program; WAFL On, focusing on the West Australian Football League; Charlie’s Kitchen, a culinary series; flicktease, a film critique show; Sweet and Sour, a discussion panel; and The Couch, a chat and variety format showcasing live performances by emerging local artists. The station also broadcast content produced by other Channel 31 affiliates nationwide, alongside classic films, television series, and news bulletins from Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, and BBC World News.
In July and August 2001, Access 31 acquired free-to-air rights for airing the 2001 Ashes series in England in Perth after the Seven Network declined due to time zone challenges. Then-Premier of Western Australia Geoff Gallop appeared as a guest commentator during these broadcasts.
After Access 31's closure, several of its locally produced programs transitioned to Foxtel’s Aurora Community Channel, while some previously aired shows found new life on the successor channel West TV.
Controversy
In 2003, Access 31 faced potential closure when it entered voluntary administration amid ongoing criticism regarding financial mismanagement. Investor Garry Baverstock initially committed $500,000 to save the station but later withdrew his support, alleging he had been misinformed about the financial situation.
During its final weeks, Access 31 claimed that the Federal Government had pledged support for community digital television as part of a possible rescue plan; however, this was refuted by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Subsequently, community broadcasters were granted access to digital spectrum starting in late 2009, more than a year following Access 31’s shutdown.
See also
External links
- Official Website (archived)
- The Couch Homepage
- Articles with short description
- Australian community television
- English-language television stations in Australia
- Television stations in Perth, Western Australia
- Television channels and stations established in 1999
- Defunct television channels in Australia
- Television channels and stations disestablished in 2008
- 1999 establishments in Australia
- 2008 disestablishments in Australia