Simulcast start dates
The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 specifies the simulcast start date of 1 January 2001 for commercial television services in metropolitan licence areas. Further, the ACMA is required to determine simulcast start dates for each regional and remote licence area under the Commercial Television Conversion Scheme 1999 (the Scheme).
The simulcast period is a transitional period for a licence area that is to commence on the digital television commencement date for a licence area. For metropolitan licence areas, it runs for 9 years or for such longer period as is prescribed in relation to that area. For regional licence areas, it runs for 8 years or for such longer period as is prescribed in relation to that area.
Throughout the simulcast period a commercial television broadcasting licence for that area is required to transmit simultaneously the service concerned in both analog mode and standard definition television (SDTV) digital mode in that area.
The ACMA does not determine simulcast dates for the ABC and SBS. The simulcast period for the coverage areas of each national television service commences on the dates indicated in each broadcaster's relevant implementation plan.
In Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane digital television broadcasts began on 1 January 2001.
In regional licence areas, digital television broadcasts began on the dates determined under the Scheme, as set out in the following document.
| Simulcast start dates for all regional areas in Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Table | Date | View PDF |
| Determined simulcast and application dates for commercial broadcasters in regional licence areas | 9 December 2003 | 512k/2p |
The ACMA determined 30 June 2009 as the start of the simulcast period in the Regional & Remote Western Australia TV1 and South West Great Southern TV1 licence areas in remote WA.
The ACMA determined 10 June 2010 as the start of the simulcast period in the Western Zone TV1, Geraldton TV1 and Kalgoorlie TV1 licence areas in remote WA.
The ACMA determined 2 May 2011 as the start of the simulcast period in the Mt Isa TV1, Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV2 and Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV2 licence areas.
Simulcast period end dates
The ACMA has determined the end date for the simulcast period for remote licence areas under the Scheme. The Determination can be found on the ComLaw website.
At the end of the simulcast period for a licence area, commercial television broadcasting licensees and national television broadcasters must cease broadcasting in analog mode in that licence area.
The ACMA determined 25 June 2013 as the end date for the simulcast period in remote licence areas in Western Australia. That is, Remote and Regional Western Australia TV1, South West and Great Southern TV1, Kalgoorlie TV1, Geraldton TV1 and Western Zone TV1.
The ACMA determined 10 December 2013 as the end date for the simulcast period in remote licence areas in central and eastern Australia, being Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV1, Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV2 and Mount Isa TV1.
The Minister determines the end date for the simulcast period in all other licence areas. The digital television switchover timetable can be found on the Digital Ready website.
