Channel 31 will continue to serve local communities across Victoria with a $120,000 grant announced last week. 

Over the past months, Eastern Metro MP Rod Barton has lobbied to save Channel 31 from becoming “white noise”. This vital community television station engages over 660,000 viewers a month and broadcasts of more than 30 culturally and linguistically diverse programs. 

The Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley, announced that Channel 31’s license will be extended for another 12 months. This time will enable Channel 31 to transition into a digital model to continue to keep our communities connected and informed. 

Over the course of the pandemic, more than 120,000 extra viewers have tuned in to C31 to partake in religious services, exercise classes and to watch local programs such as ‘Talking Fishing’. C31 clearly continues to be a vital service that is enjoyed by many Victorians. 

It is great to know that this essential service will continue to provide access to television broadcasting to local and diverse communities across Melbourne and Geelong. 

With the careers of Rove, Hamish & Andy, Waleed Aly and more launched by C31, it is clear that this service is more than just about connecting communities, but also about providing countless opportunities to inspiring media students and professionals. 

We look forward to watching C31 develop over the next 12 months to continue to provide Melbourne with multicultural and local community programs.

A special thanks to Legislative council cross bench members Sustainable Australia’s Cliff Hayes, Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick, the Justice Party members Tania Maxwell and Stuart Grimley, Reason Party leader Fiona Patten, independent member Catherine Cummings and Ellen Sandell as acting leader of Victoria Greens for supporting to keep Channel 31 on air.