NITV hits refresh

NITV this week has refreshed its brand and revamped its schedule.

Centred around an “infinite horizon line that represents the past, present and future of Indigenous culture and voices” the new look features contrasting spaces of Australian Indigenous life.

Tanya Denning-Orman, NITV Channel Manager says: “As Australia continues to debate the identity and place of Indigenous Peoples, there is a growing appetite for trusted Indigenous content and voices. As Australia’s free-to-air National Indigenous broadcaster, NITV is uniquely placed to share and celebrate these perspectives. We are excited to unveil our new brand, which connects beautifully to First Nations Peoples and welcomes all Australians to embrace our culture, stories and aspirations.”

The revamped schedule journeys across the full spectrum of storytelling, with distinctive content that promotes cultural understanding, reconciliation and celebrates diversity. From traditional offerings to contemporary productions, the 2016 schedule includes compelling documentaries, trusted news and current affairs, live sport, distinctive entertainment and unique children’s content.

An increased focus on News and Current Affairs, which remains central to the channel’s charter, delivers trusted multiplatform reporting by Indigenous journalists, engaging audiences both on-air and online. Leading the slate is new weeknight series, The Point, with Stan Grant, (from 29 February, 9pm), which combines original journalism, agenda setting interviews, considered analysis, and a distinctive Indigenous approach to storytelling. From the heart of our communities to the corridors of power, this prime-time series investigates cultural, political and social issues and events from a fresh perspective. An increased digital news offering runs alongside the on-air slate throughout the day, delivered via NITV News Online and social platforms.

Also launching this week, new entertainment sports series, League Nation Live (Tuesdays from 1 March, 7.30pm), captures the best of Australia’s favourite football code, the NRL. Hosted by ex-Broncos captain Justin Hodges and Deadly Award and Logie nominee actor Aaron Fa’Aoso, alongside league fanatics Hannah Hollis, Jodan Perry and Nathan Appo, the 31 week series comes live out of Brisbane, with 90 minutes of jam-packed entertainment and sports each week.

Putuparri and the Rainmakers (Documentary)
March 2016
2015 CinéfestOZ award winner, a compelling production that follows the journey of Tom “Putuparri” Lawford as he and his community fight for their native title claim for the Kurtal lands, in the Kimberley’s Great Sandy Desert region. Caught between two worlds – torn between his life in the modern world of Fitzroy Crossing and his destiny as a cultural leader of his people.

Living Black (Current Affairs)
March 2016
Australia’s award-winning and longest running Indigenous current affairs show, Living Black, investigates contemporary issues of concern to Indigenous Australians, through compelling human stories in a documentary-style format. With Karla Grant, one of Australia’s foremost Indigenous female media personalities at the helm, the series reports from across Australia, featuring a personal journey each week.

Marngrook Footy Show (Sport)
March 2016
Successful and unique AFL series will return with all the action and news from the footy season, featuring big name guests in the studio and celebrating the contribution made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders throughout the game.

Colour Theory (Documentary)
April 2016
Art series Colour Theory, returns with new host, award-winning artist Tony Albert. This four-part series features some of the most exciting contemporary artists working in Australia today, including Frances Belle Parker, Julie and Clive Freeman, Jason Wing and Karla Dickens. Despite their differences in geography, medium, artistic training, and conceptual concerns, they are united by a sense of pride and belief in their culture.

Songlines on Screen (Documentary)
May 2016
The Songlines on Screen initiative presents 10 short films from the remote regions of Western, Northern and Central Australia, giving place to some of the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songlines that are integral to the makeup of Indigenous Australia. Representing Indigenous people’s ongoing connection to land and culture as told throughout time by the way of creation songs, the series incorporates the full spectrum of storytelling including dance, song, art, body painting, and sites of significance.

AWAKEN (Current Affairs)
May 2016
Offering in-depth analysis and discussion of Indigenous issues, NITV’s flagship current affairs program AWAKEN presents a range of informed Indigenous perspectives and brings together influential Indigenous voices and smart incisive thinkers to debate matters of importance to Indigenous Australians.

Servant or Slave (Documentary)
August 2016
An emotional and confronting insight into the domestic servitude forced upon Aboriginal women in Australia. Stolen as children from their parents and placed in girls training homes, they were trained as domestic servants: servants who would be absorbed by the new colony and modern industry.

Zach’s Ceremony (Documentary)
September 2016
An everyday Australian kid, caught between two worlds: ancient versus modern – at the heart of this film is the clash of culture, race and identity. Against the vibrant city of Sydney, Zach is provoked by racist taunts and finds himself on a self-destructive path fuelled by drugs, alcohol and sex. His rebellious outbursts challenge his once close relationship with his dad, reaching breaking point when he is expelled from school. Zach’s father believes he needs to be empowered by his culture and become a man through the ancient rite of initiation.

Shadow Trackers (Factual)
October 2016
A frightening and funny observational documentary series that follows two inquisitive Aboriginal men who hunt the lands where legends and myths lie and ask the questions we would never dare. Travelling across the country, they meet with locals, storytellers and elders, investigating ominous creatures and entities, including the water-creature lurking in South Australia’s Lake Alexandrina and the Min Min lights in Outback Queensland.