This book is the first history of commercial television in regional Australia, where diverse communities are spread across vast distances and multiple time zones. The first station, GLV Latrobe Valley, began broadcasting in December 1961. By the late 1970s, there were 35 independent commercial stations throughout regional Australia, from Cairns in the far north-east to Bunbury in the far south-west. Based on fine-grained archival research and extensive interviews, the book examines the key political, regulatory, economic, technological, industrial, and social developments which have shaped the industry over the past 60 years. Regional television is often dismissed as a mere extension of – or footnote to – the development of Australia’s three metropolitan commercial television networks. Michael Thurlow’s study reveals an industry which, at its peak, was at the economic and social heart of regional communities, employing thousands of people and providing vital programming for viewers in provincial cities and small towns across Australia.
Author(s): Michael Thurlow
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 510
City: Cham
Preface
Key
Note on Australian Callsigns
Note on Program Sources
Note on National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) Links
Acknowledgments
Contents
Abbreviations
List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Boxes
Chapter 1: Introduction
Bibliography
Part I: Establishment (to 1966)
Chapter 2: Power and Politics
Early Television Developments
Dual Television System
Stage 1 Television Development
Stage 2 Television Development
Stage 5 Television Development
Conclusion
Bibliography
Chapter 3: Monopolies and Manoeuvres
Station Establishment
Opening Night
Early Tensions
Station Operations
Personnel
Technical Operations
Financial Performance
Programs
Production
Ownership and Control
Conclusion
Bibliography
Part II: Expansion (1966–1976)
Chapter 4: Dualities and Downturns
Station Operations
Personnel
Technical Operations
Financial Performance
Programs
Production
Ownership and Control
Conclusion
Bibliography
Chapter 5: Colour and Contrasts
Station Operations
Personnel
Technical Operations
Financial Performance
Programs
Production
Ownership and Control
Conclusion
Bibliography
Part III: Maturation (1976–1986)
Chapter 6: Prosperity and Promise
Station Operations
Personnel
Technical Operations
Financial Performance
Programs
Production
Ownership and Control
Conclusion
Bibliography
Chapter 7: Security and Status
Station Operations
Personnel
Technical Operations
Financial Performance
Programs
Production
Ownership and Control
Conclusion
Bibliography
Part IV: Equalisation (1986–2000)
Chapter 8: Aggregation and Aggravation
Speculation
Aggregation
Localism
Independence
Conclusion
Bibliography
Chapter 9: Patronage and Protection
Pay Television
Community Television
Web TV
Supplementary Licences
Localism
Independence
Conclusion
Bibliography
Part V: Disruption (2000–2022)
Chapter 10: Incumbency and Influence
Localism
Independence
Analogue Switch-Off
Conclusion
Bibliography
Chapter 11: Reform and Rationalisation
Regulatory Reform
Localism
Independence
Conclusion
Bibliography
Chapter 12: Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendices
Note on Electronic Supplementary Material (ESM)
Note on National Archives of Australia (NAA) Resources
Note on National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) Resources
Bibliography
Index
