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Community TV future lays with producers

Departing CEO of Sydney community station TVS calls upon producers to rise to the challenge of making television accessible.

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Laurie Patton departs Sydney community television TVS as CEO at the end of the week after six years, calling upon producers of community television to rise to the challenge of making television accessible.

Patton led the push amongst the sector to gain access to digital television, which was endorsed by the Federal Government last year.

“The big challenge now is for producers to create relevant and interesting programs that people will want to watch,” he said.

“Now that the Federal Government has guaranteed the future of community TV in a multi-channel digital world, it is imperative that the sector lives up to its promise by screening high quality watchable locally made programs.”

In March TVS became the first community channel to go digital, with stations in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth to follow in the coming months.

Patton also reiterated the role of community broadcasting as a training ground for the next generation of content producers, technicians and on-screen talent.

“There is no better place for newcomers to learn the skills of the television business,” he said.

“What is needed is for people to come forward with ideas for programs that enhance the current offerings on free-to-air TV and complement the programs screened by the networks”.

Patton will retain a link with TVS as Executive Director of the Television Sydney Foundation which is seeking donations to support the creation of programs for TVS.

3 Responses

  1. Whenever Laurie Patton says boo it warrants an article on this site. He has seemingly succeeded in making himself the singular face/voice of community tv and the ‘driving force’ behind the digital campaign, both ridiculous notions.

    I do agree with what he says though, just hope new viewers can stomach the variations in quality on-air, as the balance is struck between training ground and high standards.

  2. I’d love it if TVS (and the other community channels for that matter) would broadcast their channel in a larger area. To get TVS as far north as Newcastle would be great and it’d compliment what’s already on the other channels (as was said in the article), but unfortunately i don’t see this happening.

    Would it be plausible for TVS to have a second base of operations in Newcastle?

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