TV the way 500,000* Perth locals like it
It’s no secret that Community TV is seen as the poor cousin in Western Australia’s media landscape. Be that as it may, the perception is not deterring hundreds thousands of local viewers from tuning in every day to watch programmes the other stations wouldn’t even consider broadcasting.
So what is going on? Why are audiences in significant numbers (An average of 500,000 non-accumulative unique viewers a month*) tuning into WTV?
“It’s a combination of things,” says Tibor Meszaros general manager at WTV. “Many people are disillusioned with commercial TV because they want more than franchised American TV shows masquerading as Australian content.”
“WTV offers a range of programmes which cater to the local Perth audience. 90% of our programs are made in Australia and our audience likes that, it’s refreshing for them to have a local alternative,” says Meszaros.
“WTV runs paid advertising like the commercial stations but with a difference.” Tibor explains. “Our feature films have no commercial breaks. We have less ad breaks in normal programming and they are shorter.”
The Oztam surveys are showing the viewers keep coming back for more. WTV Channel 44 operates out of modest offices in downtown Perth, staffed by a mixture of full time employees and volunteers WTV has been broadcasting on the digital platform since 2011.
2013 is shaping up as a growth year for WTV according to Meszaros: “We have some quality new local productions coming up this year and we are continuing to produce our successful shows such as the buzz, Undercurrent, Perth City Talks and Friday Night Live.”
“Our goal is to connect with West Australians as their own truly local TV station and the audience figures are showing we are doing that,” says Meszaros.
If the audience surveys conducted by Oztam are anything to go by (and they are) WTV will carve out its own place in the West Australian media landscape sooner rather than later.
For more information contact: info@wtvperth.com.au
*Source: Oztam