Two Tasmanian news bulletins forced off the air after fire damaged connection infrastructure

WIN lost connection entirely on Wednesday afternoon, while ABC’s Hobart news bulletin also did not go to air and was replaced by its Victorian bulletin.

ABC and WIN news bulletins were forced off the air after fire damaged transmission infrastructure.

TWO Tasmanian news bulletins didn’t go to air on Wednesday night after fire damaged transmission infrastructure.

WIN lost connection entirely on Wednesday afternoon, with none of its scheduled shows aired in the state’s South, including its 6pm news bulletin.

ABC’s Hobart bulletin also did not go to air and was instead replaced on Hobart screens by its Victorian bulletin.

It is understood back burning at Mt Wellington/kunanyi damaged cables connecting both channels’ receiver.

In a Facebook post apologising for the issue, WIN News said viewers in the state’s North would experience no disruption.

“Due to fire damage to infrastructure on kunanyi/Mount Wellington, WIN’s channels are currently off air in Southern Tasmania and tonight’s WIN News Tasmania bulletin will not be broadcast in the south of the state,” the post read.

ABC state editor Marcus Cheek told the Mercury he expected the issue to be resolved by tomorrow.

Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance president Mark Thomas said it was “very rare” to lose two news services at the one time through infrastructure damage.

“At least for the ABC they were able to switch directly to interstate news which had a selection of Tasmanian content. Hopefully in the future critical infrastructure can be better protected and signposted,” he said.