MDV (TV station)

Mildura Digital Television (MDV)

Company type	Joint venture
Industry	Television broadcasting
Founded	January 1, 2006 (2006-01-01)
Defunct	June 30, 2024 (2024-06-30)
Headquarters	Mildura , Australia
Area served	Mildura and Sunraysia region, Victoria, Australia
Products	Digital television broadcasting (Network 10 affiliate, formerly Nine Network affiliate)
Owner	Seven West Media and WIN Corporation

MDV operated as a joint venture television station co-owned by Seven West Media and WIN Corporation. Situated in Mildura, Victoria, Australia, it primarily functioned as a digital-only affiliate of Network 10 throughout most of its existence. The station commenced transmissions on 1 January 2006 and concluded broadcasting on 30 June 2024.

History

MDV began its broadcast journey on 1 January 2006 under the name Ten Mildura, with ownership shared between WIN Corporation and Prime Television Limited. In January 2009, Macquarie Media Group pursued an exchange of its 50% interest in Mildura Digital Television for its holdings in Darwin Digital Television following a legal dispute, but ultimately succeeded in retaining its stake in Darwin after winning an appeal.

On 1 July 2016, when WIN Television assumed the role of Network Ten affiliate within the region, MDV transitioned its affiliation to the Nine Network and adopted the brand Nine Mildura.

Subsequently, on 1 July 2021, with WIN Television becoming the Nine Network affiliate, MDV reverted to affiliating with Network 10. Later that year, on 31 December 2021, joint-venture partner Prime Media Group was acquired by Seven West Media, resulting in consolidated ownership.

Closure

On 8 May 2024, MDV announced plans to discontinue broadcasting effective 30 June 2024 due to persistent financial deficits. According to an FAQ released by WIN, the station had operated at a loss since its inception, but the shutdown would not lead to any job reductions.

In early June, MDV aired announcements informing viewers about the impending closure and directed them to the FAQ for further details. The station aired its final program on 30 June 2024, ending nearly two decades of service. Following closure, the MDT license was surrendered to the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The Network 10 affiliation was transferred to MDN; meanwhile, in certain Victorian areas, it was replaced by 10 Melbourne (accessible via 10play) and GLV/BCV.

Programming

Mildura Digital Television predominantly aired content from Network 10.

Availability

Throughout most of its operation as a Network 10 affiliate, MDV was co-owned by Seven West Media and WIN Television. The station was accessible on LCN 5 within the Mildura and Sunraysia regions in standard definition.

Network 10’s multichannels—including 10 HD (the primary channel in high definition), 10 Bold Drama, and 10 Peach Comedy—were broadcast on LCNs 50, 51, and 52 respectively. Prior to the affiliation change in 2021, Nine’s multichannels such as 9Gem (HD) and 9Go! were available on LCNs 50 and 55. Before MDV switched affiliations on 1 July 2016, Ten’s multichannels One (from December 2009) and Eleven (from January 2011) were accessible via LCNs 50 and 55.

WIN handled playout operations and relayed signals through satellite to facilities in Mildura. It also managed business administration alongside national advertising sales until Southern Cross Austereo assumed national sales responsibilities on 1 July 2022; however, WIN continued providing local sales support for businesses in Mildura.

The Mildura/Sunraysia area experienced a frequency retune on 26 August 2014, which shifted MDV’s broadcast from UHF channel 33 to VHF channel 10.

LCN	Service
5	10
50	10 HD
51	10 Bold Drama
52	10 Peach Comedy

See also

• DTD (TV station)
• TDT (TV station)
• CDT (TV station)
• West Digital Television