RMITV
| Company type | Non-profit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Community television production |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Melbourne and Geelong |
Key people | General Manager, Marketing Manager, Content Manager, Technical Manager, Training Manager (part-time professionals) |
| Owner | RMIT Student Union (RUSU) |
Number of employees | 5 part-time professionals plus volunteers |
RMITV is a non-profit community television production entity located at the RMIT University City Campus in Melbourne, Australia. It is an official member of the Melbourne Community Television Consortium, a non-profit organisation that operates the community broadcaster C31 Melbourne, which serves audiences across Melbourne and Geelong.
About
Functioning as a student-led media production unit within RMIT University, RMITV receives primary funding from the RMIT University Student Union (RUSU). It offers hands-on television production experience to students and mainly creates programming for C31 Melbourne. RMITV has played a significant role in launching many careers within the television sector. Additionally, it extends participation opportunities to local community members keen on television production.
Logo
Crafted by RMITV member Nic Mason in the early 2000s, the logo incorporates design features inspired by Australian classification symbols from the Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia). The letters "R" and "M" reference the "Restricted" and "Mature" ratings, while the "I" and "TV" elements are influenced by 'General' (G) and 'Parental Guidance' (PG) classifications. The antennas atop the "TV" symbol creatively represent television broadcasting.
History
As one of Australia's pioneering community television organisations, RMITV has actively advocated for public access to broadcast spectrum since its inaugural test transmission in 1987.
In its early days, RMITV encountered difficulties obtaining broadcast licences. After applying for a public licence similar to those in American public television, their request was declined because such licences do not exist in Australia. Instead, they were granted a licence to transmit within a 10 km radius of the RMIT City Campus on 09/08/1987. This licence was soon revoked following coverage of their open day by Channel 10 news. The original licence was classified as a General Licence Class D (Section 24), with callsign VH3BVK.
RMITV also operated ETV, a closed-circuit television system on the RMIT Campus. Following government encouragement to unify efforts, RMITV became a founding member of the Melbourne Community Television Consortium, which holds the broadcasting licence for Melbourne's Channel 31.
The organisation has a proven history of developing talent that progresses into Australia's mainstream television industry. Distinguished former members include Waleed Aly (The Project), Rove McManus (Roving Enterprises), Hamish and Andy (Fox FM), Shona Devlin (JTV – Triple J), Tommy Little and Dave Thornton (This Week Live), and Peter Helliar. Numerous crew have advanced to roles at ABC Television, Network 10, Videoworks, and Staging Connections.
Productions by RMITV are not limited to C31; they also air on community stations across Australia and internationally. Notable examples include Live on Bowen (2012–2015), broadcast on C31, Face Television (New Zealand), WTV (Perth), and 31 Digital (Queensland); The Inquiry (2009–2010); In Pit Lane (1998–present); and 31 Questions (2012–2014).
RMITV has delivered many well-known Australian community TV shows such as The Loft Live, Under Melbourne Tonight, Chartbusting 80's, Raucous, Dawns Crack, PLUCK, Studio A, The Leak, along with numerous live outside broadcasts.
In mid-2015, RMITV collaborated with RMIT's student publication Catalyst to produce the web series "Politics at the Belleville," adapted from the "Politics on the Couch" podcast, with episodes released weekly.
Internal structure
RMITV functions under the RMIT Student Union as one of its departments and has a strong affiliation with the non-profit Student Community Television Inc. These two bodies are governed by a shared Board of Directors and largely operate under a unified management team.
The organisation's workforce includes five part-time professionals: a General Manager, Marketing Manager, Content Manager, Technical Manager, and Training Manager. Additionally, a significant number of volunteers assist in various management roles.
Student Community Television Inc. holds full paid membership with MCTC, which provides complimentary broadcast time on C31 Melbourne as well as representation within the MCTC assembly.