West TV
| Company type | Community television broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Predecessor | Access 31 |
| Founded | April 10, 2010 |
| Defunct | February 2020 |
| Fate | Ended free-to-air broadcasts due to financial constraints; continued online presence |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
Area served | Perth, Western Australia |
| Products | Television broadcasting, online streaming |
| Website | www |
West TV (WTV, call-sign CTW32) was a community television broadcaster available free-to-air, which commenced digital standard-definition transmissions on logical channel 44 in Perth, Western Australia, starting at 10:00 am on 10 April 2010.
Due to financial constraints, West TV ended its free-to-air service in February 2020 but continued to maintain an active presence through social media platforms and YouTube.
History
Following the shutdown of Access 31 in 2008, the Australian Communications and Media Authority granted the station a two-year trial licence, subsequently issuing an apparatus licence in April 2009. On 4 November 2009, then Communications Minister Stephen Conroy authorized a licence permitting digital-only broadcasts, allowing West TV to operate alongside other community broadcasters preparing for the nationwide digital switchover planned for 2014.
The channel's initial video test transmission occurred on 1 April 2010, featuring a test pattern and promotional content loop.
In September 2014, Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull declared that community television licences would expire by December 2015. This deadline was extended several times—to December 2016, June 2017, December 2017, June 2018—and ultimately postponed until June 2020 as part of governmental media policy reforms.
To broaden its reach beyond terrestrial coverage, West TV launched live streaming of its channel online.
On 20 February 2020, citing financial difficulties, West TV discontinued its free-to-air broadcasts but retained audience engagement through social media channels and YouTube. In support of ongoing operations, a GoFundMe initiative sought to raise $30,000.
Programming
West TV provided round-the-clock programming designed to serve Perth’s diverse community with a mix of documentaries, films, sports coverage, music shows, educational content, religious programming, multicultural features, entertainment series, and lifestyle segments. While predominantly showcasing Western Australian productions, the network also included content sourced from other Australian community stations as well as international producers. Notable local programs included the entertainment series Friday Night Live and the current affairs show Undercurrent. The schedule also incorporated classic films and television series alongside live news broadcasts from Deutsche Welle, Al Jazeera English, and RT World News.
The station held exclusive rights to broadcast the global concert tour of UK icon Sir Cliff Richard & The Shadows in June 2010. Additionally, it produced local outside broadcasts such as coverage of the Tom Hoad Cup VIII international water polo competition hosted in Melville.
See also
- Community television in Australia
- Television broadcasting in Australia
- Australian Community Television Alliance
External links
- Articles with short description
- Australian community television
- Television stations in Perth, Western Australia
- Television channels and stations established in 2010
- English-language television stations in Australia
- Defunct television channels in Australia
- Television channels and stations disestablished in 2020
- 2010 establishments in Australia
- 2020 disestablishments in Australia