The head of the award-winning Local Footy Show campaigns against changes to community broadcasting

DARYL Pitman fears the game may soon be up for community TV programs like his award-winning Local Footy Show

Kevin Murphy, Daryl Pitman, Ian Bennett and Terry O’Callaghan of the Local Footy Show.

HIS popular Local Footy Show has just kicked another goal, being judged the outstanding sports program at the national Antenna Awards.

But Noble Park resident and Leader’s Southern Football League writer Daryl Pitman says the broadcasting game is changing — and not for the better.

Pitman is front and centre in the opposition to Communication Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to end community TV channels’ access to the broadcasting spectrum as of December 31, 2015.

Turnbull has said the sector should switch to the internet, enabling it to reach more viewers and make more money.

Pitman is one of scores of independent producers who provide program content for Channel 31 and has produced the multi award-winning Local Footy Show for the past 18 years. He is scathing of Turnbull’s plans.

“He has to be joking. We have lots of groups, football coaches with their players, and families who watch The Local Footy Show every week and I’m sure they are not going to crowd around a computer to view the show,’’ he said.

“Many of our more elderly viewers do not even have computers.

“If the internet is such a good idea for television programs, why can’t the proposed buyers of the spectrum use the internet instead?

“Our program, like hundreds of others, is all about local community. They’re made by the community for the community and are viewed by large sections of the community.”

Pitman says The Local Footy Show returns figures of 130,000 viewers per month, according to OzTam ratings figures, and many others programs are similar.

He points out that a loss of training opportunities and small business access would accompany the death of community TV.

“Channel 31 in Victoria alone screens more than 90 new programs every year.

“Those programs provide unique training and employment for thousands of people on both sides of the camera.

“More than 5000 people are involved in making programs on CTV every year.

“Many of our successful performers and program concepts have come from community TV.

“And many small businesses will lose their access to the public if community TV goes. There’s no way they could afford commercial TV rates.

“Community TV gives everyone a fair go. It shouldn’t just be the realm of media moguls and multinational companies.”

Pitman’s Local Footy Show has been one of the success stories of CTV, scoring its second successive “outstanding sports program’’ gong at the national Antenna Awards.

“Our show is not only watched by communities from Healesville to Woodend, from Queenscliff to Crib Point, and from Gembrook to Sunbury, but those communities feature in the program themselves,” Pitman says.

“Where will they get that opportunity if Mr Turnbull scraps CTV?

“It appears that Mr Turnbull is totally unaware of CTV’s strength and its role in Victoria, as it isn’t as strong in his home state of New South Wales.

“I believe the Minister has got this terribly wrong and is putting a quick grab for money ahead of what is one of the world’s most successful Community TV models.

“Everything shouldn’t be about money — sometimes community values and community assets are far more important.”

Pitman is encouraging viewers and supporters of CTV to register their complaint with their local MPs.