Aurora, the other community TV channel.
It's easy to overlook the fact that one of the channels on Pay TV is the not-for-profit community channel, Aurora.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under Subscription
It’s easy to overlook the fact that one of the channels on Pay Television is the not-for-profit community TV channel, Aurora.
Like the community channels in our metro cities, Aurora shows a range of shows by community groups, emerging talent and people who just want to share their passion.
In a recent Press Release, Aurora drew attention to their 2011 achievements and talks up the outlook for 2012:
Major highlights include the launch of the inaugural Aurora Short Film Festival, production of three Wheelchair sports events, co-production of the Talent Development Project and the launch of multiple new, independent Australian productions.
The past year has also seen Aurora take on more broadcast partnerships including the ATOM Awards, the Hillside Film Festival, the 48 Hour Film Project, Wakakirri, Dance Cancer Initiative and the Ethnic Business Awards.
Phyllisse Stanton, Aurora CEO said, “We’ve achieved beyond our expectations and continued our commitment to providing Australian made, community-focused content – sharing stories and strengthening our relationship with the independent production sector.”
This year, Aurora’s advertising sales were also taken in-house for a more streamlined approach, headed up by Craig Corcoran. The results for advertising sales have been healthy and viewership has remained steady in the face of increasing competition.
“Aurora looks forward to embracing another stellar year in 2012. We’re already in pre-production for our very own community arts, events and news program called Chatterbox, set to premiere in the New Year, along with a slate of more new shows to be revealed over the next few months,” said Ms Stanton.
15 Responses
If Aurora is a community channel why isn’t only accessible to the small percentage of households who have Foxtel or Austar? If it’s for the community put it on Freeview as well.
I tend to avoid the commercial-heavy networks and stick to ABC, SBS, and the community networks. Personally, I love the short-film shows like Dark Carnival on Aurora and Anthology Of Interest on the free-to-air channel 44 (C31/TVS). As for Jake’s comment dismissing it as a religious channel, I’ve heard similar comments from other viewers who have only glimpsed the community stations. They catch a particular show and dismiss the entire station’s programming: Some think it’s a foreign language station, some think it’s a religious station because they’ve caught a particularly program, and haven’t seen all they have to offer. Take a moment one night to check out the community stations during prime-time and you’ll discover a myriad of lifestyle shows, sports & car shows, some fantastic old movies, award-winning short films, and some of the best new Australian talent you’ll find in front of, or behind, the camera. Don’t forget some of Australia’s most popular current TV talents (Rove, Hamish & Andy, etc.) started on community TV.
@ Dark Angel ahh good to see a former Whyallaite posting on here. GTS has improved remarkably thankfully. No more local shows now except the local news. And GTS is 7 only now as we have all the other channels 😀
As for Aurora, ‘The Couch’ on Friday’s isn’t bad, made in Perth.
Max’s Muscle TV is must see viewing 😀
Too low to be supplied to me unfortunately.
David, what are the viewing numbers for Aurora channel? Thank you.
Community TV reminds me of the days when I lived in Whyalla from 1974 to 1982. and of a “mash up” station called GTS/BKN who did a “greatest hits” collection of 7, 9, and 10 programs But GTS/BKN had some really good stuff on it and made it bearable to watch as it did have some very tedious local community stuff too.. But Community TV I feel is GTS/BKN without the good stuff and I very rarely watch it.
I loved it when Aurora showed the Wheelchair Basketball National League Finals for the Men and Women.
As a former player, I hope they continue to promote the sport and get it some recognition it so greatly deserves.
The channel isn’t ‘owned’ by anyone – it has members like many NFP’s and an independent Board. Based in Sydney with a staff of 5 people it runs all Aussie content. It’s one of those channels that’ll always have something weird n wonderful. Roughly similar audiences to STVDIO, Discovery Health Living and Nat Geo Adventure.
“not for profit” doesn’t mean they still don’t have bills to pay. Infomercials provide revenue, not necessarily “profit”
Why is Aurora TV “not for profit” when they air infomercials and Psychic TV for a few hours of its schedule per day?
Aurora has always been a bit of a mystery to me. Who owns it, who funds it, where is it based and how many people actually watch it are a few questions that come to mind.
I remember when Optus were fighting local councils to lay the HFC cable in capital cities they came up with a short lived community channel to smooch the councils but as soon as the cable was up Local Vision was gone.
I used to watch this channel regularly when they had Aerobics Oz Style.
Steadily not watched lol
People (including me) just think of this as being the same thing as the religious channel, so that probably does it no favours.