Australia: Digital radio stations under threat in Senator Conroy's electorate

Photo : Radio Info, Australia

As radioinfo reported exclusively last year, the community sector is shaping up for a funding fight over digital radio.

Melbourne stations fear they may have to switch off their services if more digital transmission funding is not forthcoming.

As the federal budget approaches, Melbourne’s nine community digital radio services will face an “uncertain future if the government does not reverse a funding shortfall.”

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy’s electorate office is in the suburb of Epping, in the Melbourne digital radio listening area.

The affected Melbourne stations today confirmed that without the Communications Minster committing adequate funds to the Digital Radio Project, they will be "at risk of not having a digital service in the future."

Community digital radio services were launched nationally in 2011 and there are currently 37 metro-wide digital radio services in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Federal Government funding cuts in the last budget have resulted in a $1.4 million shortfall which, unless reversed in the upcoming May budget, could see many digital stations axed.

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(Source: Radioinfo.com.au)