C31 Melbourne

C31 Melbourne
Company type	Community television station
Industry	Broadcasting
Founded	October 6, 1994; 32 years ago in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Headquarters	Melbourne, Australia
Area served	Greater Melbourne, Geelong, West Gippsland
Products	Community television programming
Website	www.c31.org.au

C31 Melbourne is a community television channel broadcasting free-to-air in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its designation derives from UHF channel 31, the analogue frequency allocated to metropolitan community TV stations.

History

C31 began official transmissions on 6 October 1994, initially featuring racing content on Saturdays alongside regular programming from Monday through Thursday. Prior to this, test broadcasts started on 23 August 1994 following the installation of its transmitter atop Mount Dandenong. In March 1993, the Australian Broadcasting Authority issued a temporary licence to the Melbourne Community Television Consortium (MCTC). The station was granted a permanent community broadcasting licence in July 2004.

Digital transmission commenced in June 2010, with C31 simulcasting on logical channel 44. On 27 June 2010, the station underwent a rebranding to "C31," introducing refreshed branding and an updated programming schedule. The analogue signal was discontinued on 1 March 2012, transitioning C31 to an exclusively digital platform.

The station’s funding is derived from sponsorship deals, grants, airtime sales, and donations from members; it does not receive consistent government funding. Its annual income approximates AUD $1.3 million, in contrast to commercial broadcasters such as Nine Network which generate around $907 million. C31 reports a monthly audience of roughly 1.4 million viewers in Melbourne, with certain programs drawing up to 180,000 viewers.

In 2009, C31 revamped its website to incorporate program streaming subject to producer approval—making it the sole Australian community TV channel offering this service at that time. The launch of ctvplus.org.au in 2016 further expanded live streaming and catch-up options for both C31 and Channel 44 Adelaide.

Although licensing was originally scheduled to conclude in December 2015, federal ministers extended it multiple times until June 2020 amid regulatory uncertainties. Responding to these challenges, C31 pivoted towards digital platforms by launching Australia’s first community TV mobile app featuring live streaming and video-on-demand in April 2016. An updated version named CTV+ was released in August 2022, with plans underway for a smart TV application.

Subsequent legislative amendments facilitated further licence extensions through June 2023, ensuring ongoing broadcast operations amidst shifting media policy frameworks.

Transmission quality

Broadcasting from Mount Dandenong and the Como Centre in South Yarra, C31 covers extensive areas of Greater Melbourne, Geelong, and West Gippsland via free-to-air television. It transmits digitally on UHF channel 32 for Melbourne and Geelong and UHF channel 66 for South Yarra.

Programming

C31 presents a broad spectrum of locally produced shows encompassing news, sports, youth-oriented content, arts, and entertainment. The channel also prioritizes multicultural programming that reflects Melbourne’s diverse ethnic communities.

FishCam

FishCam stands as one of the channel’s most iconic offerings. Originally broadcast live from a fish tank located within the station’s studios accompanied by independent music artists’ tracks, it later shifted to pre-recorded segments due to regulatory considerations. Initially serving as filler during unscheduled airtime, its popularity earned it a permanent slot and inclusion in TV guides. C31 has described FishCam as "highly popular," noting that many viewers identify the channel primarily with this program, earning it the nickname "the fish station."

At one point, VHS tapes of FishCam were available for purchase. Although its airtime gradually diminished to accommodate conventional programming needs, FishCam concluded on 4 March 2007. It made a comeback on 13 October 2014 at 9pm, hosted by Luis from Lessons with Luis, coinciding with C31’s twentieth anniversary celebration.

Other programs

The NEMBC Multicultural AFL Football Panel Show delivers a weekly multicultural viewpoint on AFL, hosted by Vanessa Gatica alongside Harbir Singh Kang and Gabriel d'Angelo; Executive Producer and Director: Fiv Antoniou. This program is supported by the Australian Football League (AFL) and the Community Broadcast Foundation.
The NEMBC All About A-League Show is a weekly Australian soccer broadcast hosted by Gabriel D'Angelo with Bernd Merkel and Alex Anifantis. Directed by Santina Cotela, with Fiv Antoniou as Executive Producer, it receives backing from the Community Broadcast Foundation (CBF).
Melbourne Musos – The Drum Show, presented by Chris Quinlan, focuses on drums and percussion across various musical genres. Having produced over 625 episodes since its 1995 inception, it ranks among Australia's longest-standing television programs, with Quinlan earning an Australian of the Year nomination in 2013.
More Amore, a dating game show produced by RMITV, was hosted by Jason Allen and Julia Zass.
YouFishTV, hosted by Brendan Wing, highlights fishing adventures in Australia, featuring music by BabyAtom.
Catch n Cook, spanning more than 300 episodes over six years, follows hosts Ron Smith, Antonio Curulli, Neil Morrison, and Gina Corso as they explore fishing locations throughout Australia while integrating outdoor activities with cooking demonstrations.
Dollars With Sense is a 30-minute financial literacy series providing impartial advice from leading financial specialists.
Morningshines is a sketch comedy show styled as a morning program aimed at nighttime viewers, hosted by Mike and Steve.
Fusion Latina presents Spanish and Latin American culture in Australia through a magazine-style format.
The Bazura Project offers film-related news, features, interviews, and reviews; hosted by Shannon Marinko and Lee Zachariah.
The Gig Bag, hosted by Sabrina Scheller and Chris Frangou, concentrates on music and equipment.
A Green House Around the Corner showcases sustainable initiatives within Learn Local Centres; produced by Eastern Regional Access Television, one of Channel 31 Melbourne’s founding organizations.
AnimeLab On-air and Anime Snacktime Hour are anime programming blocks produced by Madman Entertainment, highlighting their content.
Get Cereal TV, created by SYN, broadcasts weekday mornings as an hour-long breakfast show.
Barnaby Flowers is a collective of Melbourne-based writers and producers responsible for popular live sketch shows such as "Barnaby Flowers Comeback Special" and "Barnaby Flowers A Time to Talk."
Chartbusting 80s stands as one of C31’s most production-heavy studio shows.
Boob Tube, hosted by Jo Stanley and Jodie J Hill, delivers entertainment content.
Darren & Brose was C31's inaugural live nightly broadcast.
Damon Dark, an independent sci-fi series about a UFO hunter created by Adrian Sherlock and produced by Eastern Regional Access Television (ERA TV), continues as a web series featuring archived original episodes.
Eastern Newsbeat conducts interviews with community groups in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs; beginning in 1994 with more than 1,127 episodes to date. Peter McArthur, co-founder of C31 Melbourne via Eastern Regional Access Television Inc., is among its producers.
Gasolene covers topics related to petrochemical engines, automotive repairs, and metalworking.
Good Evening Melbourne/Extra Edition, produced by GCTV since 1998, serves Melbourne’s Greek community with local news and current affairs; hosts include Sotiris Sotiropoulos and Platon Denezakis.
Gridiron Victoria TV reports on Victorian American Football League activities; former hosts include Eric Williams, Alison Deane, and Daniel Ratanapintha.
The Inquiry provides youth-focused comedic news coverage.
Kidz in the Kitchen, produced by Eastern Regional Access Television and hosted by Tricia Ziemer alongside chef Gabriel Gate, completed its eighth season teaching children quick cooking techniques.
Planet Nerd is a variety program centered on nerd culture, hosted by Dan Walmsley.
In Pit Lane, C31’s weekly motorsports show, has been running for 18 years.
Level 3, a video game review series with over 200 episodes produced.
Live on Bowen, a live variety and talk show filmed at RMITV studios in Bowen Lane, hosted by Melbourne television personality Aaron Mccarthy.
The Loft Live, previously hosted by Rove McManus followed later by Kim Hope.
Magic Dudes: As Seen on TV features sleight-of-hand magic performed before live audiences; originated from a C31 Adelaide pilot in 2004.
No Limits is a leading talk show focused on living with disability aligned with C31’s community objectives.
Pinoy TV caters to Filipino-Australians in Melbourne, Sydney, and Darwin offering cooking segments, news updates, and cultural programming; hosts include Giselle Gonzales ("Ate G") and "DJ Gwapz."
Racing Fashion TV, presented by Anna Mott, highlights fashion trends at Australian horse racing events.
Scoop tv is a weekly comedy/talk show based in Melbourne covering current entertainment news topics.
Sightsee TV explores small towns primarily within Victoria through travel-focused content.
Sketchmen is a sketch comedy series based in Sydney.
Thai Ties spotlights the Thai-Melburnian community via cooking tutorials, language lessons, and cultural insights led by host Daniel Ratanapintha.
The Shambles offers sketch comedy starring Sos, Valvo & Lynchy.
TheatreGames LIVE features actors competing against each other in improvisational contests.
Blurb, hosted by Misha Adair and Natasha Ludowyk, provides televised book reviews.
The Ugly Stick, starring the Ugly Stick comedy troupe, delivers sketch comedy performances.
1700, produced by SYN, is a live daily music show incorporating SMS interaction, video clips, and music news segments.
In Search of... is a weekly documentary series addressing varied subjects.
Paranormal Investigators examines unexplained phenomena at remote locations through investigative teams.
GolfZone TV offers golf instruction alongside product reviews, course assessments, and rules explanations.
4WD TV celebrates Australian four-wheel-drive culture with weekly episodes.
Russian Kaleidoscope serves Melbourne’s Russian-speaking community featuring local news and documentaries; hosted by Dmitry Likane.
The Marngrook Footy Show, broadcast on National Indigenous Television, focuses on indigenous AFL coverage.
Entering its 16th season in 2016, The GDFL Footy Show covers Geelong region Australian rules football featuring Dick Philpott among others including former Geelong mayor John Mitchell.
The program titled The Local Footy Show covers local Aussie rules football throughout Victoria state.
Produced by Monash University students alongside MOJO News, The Struggle offers satirical commentary on current events.
Produced weekly live-to-air by SYN, ‘’The Wrap’’ delivers news-entertainment programming.
Hosted by Colette Werden, ‘’Local Knowledge’’ presents weekly documentaries focused on community narratives.
The live satirical comedy series With Tim Ferguson features comedian Tim Ferguson as host.
Hound TV exclusively focuses on dogs through weekly episodes.
Underground Sounds provides weekly programming dedicated to metal music.
Under Melbourne Tonight was hosted by Stephen Hall, offering variety entertainment content.
The Gorilla Position features weekly professional wrestling coverage.
The Rushed Behind delivers AFL commentary and analysis featuring Nick D'Urbano, Brooke Varney, Chris Nice & Athos Siranos.
Top Drop TV is a beer and wine travel guide produced by Nicholas Isaacs; presenters include Chris Yeend and Jarrod Geer.
GCN Focus shares positive local stories from Geelong; among hosts is Jack Nyhof.
The Shtick stands as Australia’s sole Jewish television program since 2004 with Henry Greener; it has produced over 700 episodes across 67 seasons maintaining an active YouTube archive at TheShtick TV.
CITIZENS REPORT—associated with the Australian Citizens Party, formerly known as CEC Report—has been broadcast on Channel 31 since January 2012.

Personalities

A number of distinguished comedians, entertainers, and producers launched their careers at C31 before moving on to mainstream television platforms. Among them are Rove McManus, Amy Parks, Greg Tingle, the duo Hamish Blake and Andy Lee from Hamish and Andy, Adam Richard, Peter Helliar, the pair Merrick Watts and Tim Ross known as Merrick and Rosso, Jo Stanley, Darren Chau, Corinne Grant, Jamie McDonald, Tom Ballard, Tommy Little, Dave Thornton, Jess Harris, Alex Tigani, Josh Schmidt, and Kim Hope.

External links