RMITV

Infobox Network
network_name = RMITV
network_
country = Australia
network_type = Community
available = Melbourne, Australia
owner =
launch_date = 1987
founded = 1987
website = [http://www.rmitv.org/ www.rmitv.org]
callsigns =
market_share =
slogan = student.community.television

RMITV is a not-for-profit community access television production facility based at RMIT University City Campus in Melbourne, Australia. It is one of the members of the MCTC; the not-for-profit consortium that operates the community access channel Channel 31 in Melbourne [http://www2.rmitv.org/content/view/12/26/] . RMITV was also responsible for broadcasting ETV, a closed-circuit television system operated at the RMIT Campus in previous years.

RMITV is responsible for producing a number of shows that air on C31, including some with the highest production values and budgets. Some examples include Barnaby Flowers, In Pit Lane, The LiveWire, TheatreGames LIVE, Chartbusting 80s and The Loft Live. The popular Australian talk host Rove McManus and dynamic duo radio DJs Hamish and Andy also begun their media careers at RMITV.

Although based at RMIT University in Melbourne, membership to RMITV is not limited to current RMIT students.

History

RMITV is one of the oldest community television organisations in Australia, having been involved in lobbying the government for community access to the television spectrum. It transmitted its first test broadcast in 1987, which controversially at the time wasn't licensed by the authorities.

The government encouraged Melbourne's many aspirant community television broadcasters to form an umbrella organisation to apply for a broadcasting license, and so RMITV is a founding member of the Melbourne Community Television Consortium; the license holder for Melbourne's Channel 31.

Throughout its time RMITV has produced some of the most prolific and groundbreaking programs on Australian Community Television, including: The Loft, Under Melbourne Tonight, Chartbusting 80's, Raucous, Dawns Crack, PLUCK and countless outside broadcasts.

Internal Structure

RMITV is an RMIT University Student Union group, with close ties to the not-for-profit incorporated group, Student Community Television Inc. (commonly abbreviated to SCT Inc., or SCT). For most operational purposes, both groups share a common Board of Directors, and Management team.

The group employs 7 part-time staff members to look after the organisation and membership, in roles spanning Programming, Training, Office, Technical, Management and Production. A large number of others look after the management of the organisation in Volunteer Roles.

Additionally, SCT Inc. is a paid member of the Melbourne Community Television Consortium (MCTC), which provides them with free airtime on C31 Melbourne and representation on MCTC committees.

Trivia

The "R" and "M" in RMITV's logo are based on the former series of classification marks from the OFLC used to designate "Restricted" and "Mature" broadcast content.

ee also

*Television broadcasting in Australia