Imparja to host Indigenous channel on VAST

An Indigenous community TV channel will be added to the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST), to be operated by Imparja TV.

The Minister for Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, has announced $15.4 million in funding for the Indigenous Broadcasting Program (IBP), which also includes Indigenous radio broadcasters.

“The 2012-13 IBP funding provides support to 55 broadcasting projects across Australia, including those that broadcast into Remote Indigenous Communities. These projects provide an essential service to Indigenous communities, helping to maintain Indigenous language and cultural development, as well as promoting important health and education messages,” he said.

“The new Indigenous Community Television channel on VAST gives indigenous communities across Australia certainty that their voices will continue to be heard. This new channel, to be carried by Imparja, will provide culturally appropriate and locally relevant indigenous content.

“The Government is also funding SBS to create a truly national free-to-air indigenous television service. NITV will greatly expand the availability of indigenous information and content for all Australians.”