Southern Cross Television

Infobox TV channel
name = Southern Cross Television
logofile = Southern Cross.svg
logosize = 150px
logoalt = Southern Cross Television Logo
launch = December 9, 1961
picture format = 576i (SDTV),
1080i (HDTV)
network =
owner = Macquarie Media Group
slogan = "Show Me Southern Cross"
web = [http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/mmg/investments/msc.htm Macquarie Media Group]
broadcast area = Tasmania, Darwin,
Western South Australia,
Central Australia
terr serv 1 = Analogue
terr chan 1 = "Tuned to various frequencies"
terr serv 2 = SD Digital
terr chan 2 = Channel 6, 7
terr serv 3 = HD Digital
terr chan 3 = Channel 60, 70
terr serv 4 = SD Digital
terr chan 4 = Channel 77 (MyTalk)
sat serv 1 = Optus C1
sat chan 1 = Transponder 6
sat serv 2 = Optus D1
sat chan 2 = Transponder 15

Southern Cross Television, or Southern Cross, is an Australian television network available in Tasmania, Darwin, Regional South Australia, and Central Australia. Although the programming varies from region to region, all areas are affiliated with the Seven Network and, in some areas, have a dual affiliation with either the Nine Network or Network Ten. On November 5, 2007, Southern Cross Television was officially purchased by the Macquarie Media Group. cite web
url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22708729-30540,00.html
title = Southern Cross falls to Mac and Fairfax
accessdate = 2007-06-03
date = 2007-06-03
publisher = The Australian ]

History

Origins

Southern Cross began as a small network of three stations in regional Victoria. The "TV-8" network was comprised of GLV-10 Gippsland, BCV-8 Bendigo, and STV-8 Victoria.cite web
url= http://www.austvhistory.com/scten/sctenvic.htm
title= Southern Cross Ten: Victoria
accessdate= 2007-09-10
author= Brooklyn Ross-Hulands
publisher= AusTVHistory]

GLV was the first regional television station in the country, launched on December 9, 1961. BCV-8 launched in the same year, on December 23, while STV followed four years later, on November 27, 1965. GLV-10 became GLV-8 in 1980, when Melbourne commercial station ATV-0 moved frequences to become ATV-10 The network began life in 1982 as "TV-8", but later changed its name in 1989 to the "Southern Cross Network". Soon after this, STV-8 left the network after it was bought by businessman Alan Bond, and eventually sold on to ENT Limited (owners of Vic TV and Tas TV).cite web
url= http://www.ketupa.net/win2.htm
title= WIN, Gordon and ENT: chronology
accessdate= 2007-07-10
author= Bruce Arnold
publisher= Caslon Analytics] In regional Victoria it was an affiliate of Network Ten:

1960s to the 1970s

Southern Cross Television commenced transmission via TNT-9 at 5:57pm on May 26, 1962. Fred Archer was the first person to appear on television in Tasmania, during its first five hours of transmission. On the opening night the station was officially inaugurated by Lord Rowallan. "The Mickey Mouse Club" was the first program to be broadcast, and advertisements included: Abbott’s cordial, Hydro, Launceston Bank for Savings, Peters Ice Cream, Hicks Atkinson and the Saturday Evening Express.

GTS/BKN began transmissions as a solus commercial television service by Spencer Gulf Telecasters in the upper Spencer Gulf in 1968, with Port Lincoln and Broken Hill commencing in 1970 and 1974 respectively.

1980s to the 1990s

On May 13, 1989, TNT-9 was bought by Southern Cross Broadcasting and was integrated into the Southern Cross Television network.

On April 30, 1994, Southern Cross Television went through aggregation and commenced statewide transmission.
Tasmania was aggregated in 1994, albeit with only two stations - Southern Cross Television became a dual Seven and Ten affiliate, while TAS TV took programming from the Nine Network.Remote and Central Australia was the final area to be aggregated - one of the largest geographical license areas, taking in parts of the Northern Territory, western Queensland, and other areas in which terrestrial television signals cannot be received. Stations broadcast to this area mainly through satellite or re-transmission stations. Imparja Television, based in Alice Springs, became a dual Nine and Ten affiliate, while Seven Central became a Seven affiliate.

2000s

Southern Cross Broadcasting purchased Spencer Gulf Telecasters in April 2002. In 2002, Southern Cross Broadcasting and WIN Corporation joined forces to create Tasmanian Digital Television, which launched in late 2003. TDT is a sole Network Ten affiliate. Southern Cross Television operates the transmission of the station.

In 2003, Seven Darwin and Seven Central were purchased by Southern Cross Broadcasting, retaining their sole Seven Network affiliation. On December 31, 2003, Southern Cross Ten was broadcast for the first time to the Upper Spencer Gulf and Broken Hill broadcast areas, using a standard definition channel. In May 2005, the service was integrated into the Southern Cross Television network.

On December 3, 2004, presentation was centralised to Southern Cross Broadcasting’s play-out centre in Canberra. In May 2005, the service in Darwin was integrated into the Southern Cross Television network, losing its generic Seven on-air presentation. This coincided with Southern Cross Television in Darwin commencing dual affiliations with both the Seven Network and Network Ten.

Darwin Digital Television Is on Air from April 28, 2008 television station to be formed by a joint venture between PBL MediaNine and Southern Cross Broadcasting,TND Darwin, 7/10. [cite press release
title = New digital commercial television service for Darwin
publisher = ACMA
date = 2007-05-18
accessdate = 2007-06-29 ] Based in Darwin, Northern Territory, it is expected to be a digital-only Network Ten affiliate, similar to other digital only channels introduced in Australia. It is expected to Launched in May (15th May 2008) 2008 and will broadcast on UHF-33 Band 7 MHz.

On July 3, 2007 Southern Cross Television's parent company, Southern Cross Broadcasting, recommended Macquarie Media Group's offer of AU$1.35 billion, for a takeover of the corporation. [ cite web
url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/03/1968580.htm
title = Southern Cross Broadcasting sold for $1.35b
accessdate = 2007-06-03
date = 2007-06-03
publisher = abc.net.au ] On November 5, 2007, the network was officially purchased by the Macquarie Media Group.

News

Southern Cross Nightly News is a local news service produced by the Australian regional television network Southern Cross Television. Tasmania's bulletin is produced out of their studios in Launceston, while the Regional South Australia bulletin is produced out of their studios in Port Pirie.

Bulletins

* Tasmania:Weekdays: Presented by Jo Palmer and Rob Fairs (sport) and Peter Murphy (weather):Weekend: Presented by Kim Millar and Nathan Templeton (sport) and Lee Dixon (weather)
* Regional South Australia:Weekdays Only: Justine Northey

News Updates

* Regional South Australia, Darwin, Central Australia:Presented by Lachlan Kennedy
*Tasmania:Weekdays: Presented By Jo Palmer:Weekends: Presented By Kim Millar

Programming

Local Programming

Although, in the past, various birthday specials, telethons and locally produced TV shows have been aired. Quiz Quest (children's game show), The Saturday night show (variety), Down the line (morning talk/local events), Targa Tasmania (annually), The Saturday Morning Fun Show (kids), Tasmanian New Faces (talent), Launceston Cup (OB) and so on.

The series' that Southern Cross produce are listed below.

Hook, Line and Sinker

Hook, Line and Sinker is a fishing show hosted by former news journalists Andrew Hart and Nick Duigan.

Renovation Relief

Renovation Relief is a DIY Program hosted by famous wood-chopper David Foster in which he and a team of people from sponsors (i.e. Gunns) renovate a house, most commonly for people who have done something for the community or have disabled children. Renovation Relief is not airing at this time.

Targa Tasmania

For the two weeks in which Targa Tasmania runs, each night Andrew Hart and Nick Duigan share the events of the day in Targa Torque, this usually airs at around 10.30pm.

Holiday at Home

It is a lifestyle program which promotes places to stay and things to do in Tasmania.

Discover Tasmania

This show was only screened in Tasmania and was produced by Southern Cross Television but is hosted by Seven Network personalities Ed Halmagyi and Tim Campbell and a mention was made about the Seven Network broadcast centre model in the village of Lower Crackpot in the Tasmazia maze complex. It is similar to Holiday at Home except featured more famous attractions and was arguably better quality television.

Homes of Tasmania

Homes of Tasmania is screened each year showcasing the year's award-winning homes. It is hosted by Nick Duigan and Andrew Hart, like Hook Line and Sinker.

Going Bush

This was the third show hosted by Nick Duigan and Andrew Hart. It was a five part series screening on Sunday mornings, about Tasmanian bushland and related topics, and co-produced with Forestry Tasmania.

Burnie Ten - Ten Week Challenge

For the ten weeks leading up to the Burnie Ten Mark Connelly trains a group of people in a program sponsored by Southern Cross. Each week there are updates given during ad-breaks. In the beginning years of the program people who took part were well known in Tasmania, however in 2006 a Launceston family were trained to run the event.

Locally

Community Billboard

The Comminty to promote their advent.

The Scope

what is on in your area.

This Territory Life

NT Stars is on at 6.50pm weekdays.

Availability

Southern Cross Television is available in analog PAL and standard definition digital format. In all areas except Broken Hill, the Spencer Gulf and central Australia, an additional 1080i high definition simulcast is also available. The network is available primarily through free-to-air terrestrial transmitters, with satellite transmissions available in central Australia. The network's owned-and-operated stations include, TNT Tasmania, TND Darwin, GTS Spencer Gulf, BKN Broken Hill, ITQ Mount Isa, and QQQ Central Australia.

Logos

Southern Cross Television's first networked logo produced and used across its regional stations, featured a blue rounded square with the Southern Cross constellation in white.cite web
url= http://www.austvhistory.com/sctas/sct.htm
title= Southern Cross Television History
accessdate= 2008-03-09
author= Brooklyn Ross-Hulands
publisher= AusTVHistory] This logo was used on TNT and GLV/BCV until 1993, when GLV/BCV adopted an independent logo. TNT retained the logo until 2000, when a new logo was introduced featuring an orange Tasmanian Tiger above the word "Southern Cross". In 2005, a new logo was produced and used across the network, this time to a blue and red star. This logo has been used since, and was launched concurrently with similarly designed logos on Southern Cross Ten and across Southern Cross Broadcasting's other assets. It was modified in 2007, with a black background and the blue stripes are now white.

References

* cite news
title = SCTV Tasmania Station History
publisher = MyTalk
date = 2007
accessdate = 2007-07-02
url = http://www.mytalk.com.au/Stations/TV/SCTAS/Pages/SCTVTasmaniaStationHistory.aspx
* cite news
title = Southern Cross GTS/BKN Station History
publisher = MyTalk
date = 2007
accessdate = 2007-07-02
url = http://www.mytalk.com.au/Stations/TV/SCGTSBKN/Pages/SouthernCrossGTSBKNStationHistory.aspx
* cite news
title = SCTV Darwin & Central Station History
publisher = MyTalk
date = 2007
accessdate = 2007-07-02
url = http://www.mytalk.com.au/Stations/TV/SCDC/Pages/SCTVDarwinCentralStationHistory.aspx