At 12 noon (AEDT) on 12 December, SBS will launch another television channel, NITV. The National Indigenous Television channel will broadcast on SBS4-digital. NITV has been broadcasting since 2007.
The Channel Manager, Tanya Denning, said: “NITV has been creating and delivering innovative content representing the many voices of the country’s first Australians. We remain dedicated to having our unique languages and culture reflected within the media landscape, and we’re excited to invite Australians of all backgrounds to tune in, and join us in celebrating our rich and unique culture.”
Save Our SBS President, Steve Aujard, welcomed the launch of NITV and said, “The availability of Indigenous programs through SBS’s national free-to-air service is worth celebrating”.
NITV grew out of the 2001 Imparja Info Channel (channel 31 Alice Springs), then a venture of Imparja TV – the Alice Springs based wholly Aboriginal owned, commercial national television channel, which in recent years has obtained the bulk of its programs from the Nine Network ahead of Indigenous content. Back in the mid 2000’s Aboriginal programming on channel 31 Alice Springs became the responsibility of the Indigenous Community Television but in 2007 the entire channel was replaced by NITV. Although Imparja TV went off in one direction and today closely resembles Network TV, NITV survived through the efforts of a dedicated staff broadcasting by satellite to remote Aboriginal communities. However struggling for funds and faced with closure, NITV was saved when earlier this year SBS was allocated specific government funding to accommodate NITV. In July the two organisations merged but through an understanding NITV will remain somewhat independent.
According to the NITV website, “The new NITV channel will maintain editorial responsibility over delivery of the channel, and will continue to utilise the talents of Indigenous writers, directors and journalists to produce content covering a variety of genres, from music to health, sport, news, current affairs, culture and children’s programs.”
NITV will remain the only Australian television station entirely dedicated to reflecting the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
SBS Managing Director, Michael Ebeid, said: “The 12th of December marks an important milestone in Australian broadcasting, and in our nation’s history. SBS is incredibly proud to be playing a role in delivering content about Indigenous Australians, produced by Indigenous Australians, to every Australian household. With NITV part of the SBS family, we will reflect Australia’s diversity in a way no other broadcaster has before.”
NITV’s launch will begin with a two hour outdoor broadcast, live from Uluru. Hosted by Indigenous broadcasters Stan Grant and Rhonda Roberts, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara traditional owners of the area will welcome audiences from around Australia. This will be followed by a one hour special which examines the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media in Australia. The celebrations at Uluru continue with a concert hosting Australia’s best Indigenous talent as the sun sets.
Further information can be found on the NITV website nitv.org.au
