DID YOU KNOW that in 2014 Malcolm Turnbull, then Communications Minister in the Abbott government, decreed that all Community TV station Free-to-Air licences would be revoked at the end of 2015.The reason given is that other forms of media communications required the spectrum. This has been rebuked by Telstra and other telephone and telecommunications companies and Commercial Broadcast TV operators who say the frequencies wouldn't be needed for another 10 years!

After much panic in the community TV arena caused by the short notice given, the government gave the stations ONE YEAR extra to convert to pure digital and on-line...with one condition; they could not complain or mount a challenge this year as the deadline approached. Which was pretty much blackmail for which the board at C31 could do little but comply.

C31 in Melbourne has been heralded as the training ground for television talent and the stars of tomorrow in both front of camera and behind. Rove McManus, Hamish and Andy, Peter Helliar, and last year’s Gold Logie winner Waleed Aly all started at C31! Without a C31 beaming into the lounge rooms of Melbourne, where will future talent get on-air experience and opportunity? Recreational fishing in Melbourne will be hit hard with some 10 programmes on constant rotation at C31, along with many more diverse and unique shows, all disappearing from your TV screens on June 30.

The community was never consulted or given a chance to have their say. Now, with only a few months before we lose our ONLY Free-to-Air TV station, we the community must stand up and try to SAVE C31!