RVN2 - Draft - COPY1

RVN2–Riverina’sOwnTelevision:ByMaikhaLyPage1of27

TheRiverina’sOwnTelevisionService

CSURegionalArchivesSummerResearchProject

ByMaikhaLy

2008/09


Contents

Introduction Page3

FormationofTelevisioninAustralia Page4

FormationofTelevisionintheRiverina Page4

OpeningNight Page6

RVN‐2intheCommunity Page8

Television’sImpact Page10

RVN‐2/AMV‐4Merger Page11

PaulRamsayandThePrimeNetwork Page13

AggregationLooms Page15

Changesforthefuture Page17

RVN‐2Today Page18

Appendixes Page19


Introduction

RVN‐2wasestablishedin1964asWaggaWagga’sdedicatedlocalTelevisionStation,providingatelevisionservicetothepeopleoftheRiverinaandSouth‐WestSlopesareaofNewSouthWales,bothintheproductionoflocaltelevisionprogramssuchasthenewsservice,andthebroadcastingofpurchasedtelevisionprogramsseentoMetropolitanAudiences.

RVN‐2referstothebroadcastlicensecallsignofthestation,“2”beingthechannelnumberofthefrequency.However,RVN‐2wasalsothenameandreferenceattributedtothestationandthechannelformanydecadesamongstviewers,anduptotoday,thosewhoexperiencedRVN‐2sometimesstillrefertothechannelasthat.

RVN‐2wasmorethanjustatelevisionservice.ItsidentityonairanditsKooringalStudiofacilitybecamelocalinstitutionsequivalenttothatofalandmark.Thestationwasamajorlocalindustry,atonetimeemploying150localpeopleinvariousrolesfromproductiontotechnicaltoclerical,aswellasprovidinganintroductionandtraininggroundforyoungtelevisionemployees.

RVN‐2representedregionallocalismandacommitmenttocommunityatits`inest,andthisresearchreportcelebratesthehistoryandachievementsthistelevisionstationprovidedtothepeopleoftheRiverina.

ThereportdetailstheintroductionandoriginoftelevisionintheRiverina,thesigni`icanceithasplayedtothecommunitiesandaudiencesithasserved,andthechangesinownershipandGovernmentpolicythathaveimpactedontheexistenceofthistelevisionstation.

ThisreportisthepublicationoftheCSURegionalArchivesSummerResearchScholarship,utilisingtheresourcesandmaterialscurrentlyheldattheCSURegionalArchivesinWaggaWagga,andassistedbyArchivesandUniversitystaff.


FormationofTelevisioninAustralia

TelevisioninAustraliaìrstwenttoairon16thSeptember1956at7pmonAustralia’sìrsttelevisionstation,TCN‐9,thefamouswordsofBruceGyngell,“GoodEveningandwelcometoTelevision”,etchedforeverinAustralianhistory.ThePostmasterGeneral(PMG)introducedTelevisionacrossAustraliainstages,Stage1wasinSydneyandMelbournewherewithinsixmonthsoftheìrstbroadcast,bothcitieshadthreetelevisionstations(TCN‐9,ATN‐7,ABMN‐0forSydney,andGTV‐9,HSV‐7andABMV‐0forMelbourne).Stage2introducedtelevisiontoothercapitalcitieslikeAdelaide,Brisbane,Perth,whoallreceivedtheirservicein19591,Stage3coveredprovincialcitiessuchCanberra,Newcastle,Ballarat,andStage4wasforgeneralregionalareas,includingtheRiverina.

FormationofTelevisionintheRiverina

In1962,tenderswerecalledbythePostmasterGeneralfortheestablishmentofatelevisionserviceintheRiverinaandSouthWestSlopesareaofNSW.Competitionforthelicenseswashigh.Notonlywerelocalbusinessesintheregionbiddingforthetenders,buttheywereindirectcompetitionwiththecapitalcitytelevisionnetworks,whoonlywantedtosetuprelaytransmitterstodirecttheirCity‐basedbroadcastsoutintotheregion.Suchlocaltendererswereknowntobethefollowing:

• WaggabasedTheDailyAdvertisernewspaperandthearea’spopularradiostation2WG

• Long‐runningYoungbased2LFRadiostation,withlocalcouncilsandbusinessesintheSouth‐WestSlopesregion

• WaggaRSLClubandLeaguesClub2

Eventually,the2LFandSouth‐WestSlopesconsortiummergedwiththe2WG/TheDailyAdvertiserbid,asameanstogivemorestrengthintheirbidforthelicensesothatcapitalcontributionsfromeachstakeholderwouldnotbeashigh,withthisnowofìciallyformingthecompanyRiverinaTelevisionLimited.Thenewlyformedboardagreedtoallocate2LF10%ofshares,2WGholding20%andTheDailyAdvertiserwith15%,withtheremaining55%ofshares`loatedforsubscriptionbylocalsinthefutureviewingarea.3TheconsortiumwassuccessfulinitsbidandwasawardedtheTelevisionbroadcastinglicencebythePostmasterGeneralinNovember19634

TheprospectustoìnanciallyformRiverinaTelevisionLimitedwasannouncedon17May1963,withanallocationof543995sharestobemadeavailabletointerestedshareholdersresidinginthefutureviewingarea.Bythen,itwasofìciallyìnalisedandannouncedthattheprincipalshareholdersofRiverinaTelevisionLimitedwereRiverinaBroadcasters,ownersof2WG,A.andP.SullivanLtd,principalshareholdersinTheDailyAdvertiserandYoungBroadcasters,2LF.5


TheinitialboardofRiverinaTelevisionLimitedwasformedwithEricRoberts,2WG’sOwner,toactasChairman,TedThomas,2WG’sGeneralManager,toactasManagingDirector,JohnJackson(TheDailyAdvertiser),BillMarsden(2LF’sGeneralManager),FrankTwomey(MayorofCootamundraShire)andKeithDunn(KyeambaShirePresident)actingasdirectorsofthecompany.AdisagreementbetweentheBoardandTedThomasandEricRobertsledtotheirresignationfromtheboard,andweresubsequentlyreplacedaschairmanbyWalHuckerwhoownedaradiorecordingandìlmanimationbusinessinSydney,withBillMardentobepromotedtoManagingDirector.6

ToeffectivelyservetheproposedviewingareaoftheRiverinaandtheSouthWestSlopes(RefertoAppendix_)surveysestablishedthattherequiredtransmitterwouldbelocatedonthesummitofMountUlandra,at2498ftabovesea‐level,located25kmsSouth‐WestofCootamundra,or4kmfromthevillageofBethungra.TheoriginalproposalbythecompanysoughttoprocureasiteonWillansHillinWaggaWagga,toestablishitstransmitter,whichwouldhaveallowedavirtuallydirect‘lineofsight’pathforthemicrowavelinktotheMountUlandratransmitter.However,thiswasdeclinedbyWaggaWaggaCityCouncil7,anditwassubsequentlydecidedthatarepeateratBrucedale,15kmnorthofWaggaWagga,wouldberequiredtotransmitthebroadcastingsignalfromtheStudiotoMtUlandra.Alsoofsigniìcanceis,duetotheremotenessofMtUlandrainthecontextofaccessibility,thistelevisiontransmitterwastheìrstintheSouthernHemispheretoberemotelycontrolledfromthestudiofacilities8

Upontheissuingofthelicence,establishingtheofìceandsalesfacilities,at2WG’s,FitzmauriceStreetofìce,tenderswerecalledbyRiverinaTelevisionLtdfortheacquisitionoftransmissionandbroadcastingequipment.ThistenderwasawardedtoAmalgamatedWirelessAustraliasia(AWA)Ltd,forstudioequipmentincludingcameras,lightingandotherbroadcastingtools,theMtUlandratransmitteranditsaccompanyingmicrowaverepeaterlocatedatBrucedale.ThemastonMtUlandrawas550ft(165m)tallatopthe2498ftsummitonMtUlandra,andwasinitiallypoweredat100kW9

Thetenderingprocesswasalsomadefortheconstructionofthestudiofacilities,tobebuiltatKooringal,andwasawardedtoWaggaArchitectG.TraffordWalkerandbuilderH.C.BuckmanandSonsPty.Ltd.Constructionofthestudiobeganonthe31stJuly196310.Thedesignofthestudiore`lectedthecompany’smodestambitions,asformerManagingDirectorBillMarsdenwrites:

“..wehadtoscalerightdowntoaminimum,andexpandaswecouldaffordit.Moststationshadbeenbuiltlikemoviestudios,expectingtodolotsofproductionsandweretoolavish.Ithought‘radiowithpictures’wasamoresensibleapproach,andwesetupaccordingly.”11

TestimonytoMarsden’sapproach,RVN‐2’sstudiowasonly60x40ft(18x12m)12,whichwasamodestsizecomparedtootherregionalstationsatthetime.Ofnote,wasthatTelevisionwasalreadyavaliableintheRiverinaandSouth‐WestSlopes,withthetransmissionsignalfromalreadyoperatingstationsGMV‐6SheppartoninVictoria,CBN‐8OrangeandCTC‐7CanberrareachingasfarasWaggaWagga,aswellasthegovernmentbroadcasterABC(ABMN‐0).TelevisionsetsandaerialinstallationserviceshadbeenmarketedatleasttwoyearsbeforeRVN‐2began.


OpeningNight

RVN‐2ofìciallybegantransmissiononthenightof19June1984at7pm,tomuchanticipationbythepeopleoftheRiverinaandSouth‐WestSlopes.PriortotheopeningofRVN‐2,manyintheRiverinaheededmarketingadviceofpurchasingtheirtelevisionsetsandinstallingtheiraerialsinadvancetoavoidanylastminutedemands,whileotherswhodidnotowntelevisionsetswereinvitedtoviewthemfromshopfronts.13

TheopeningbroadcastbeganwiththeRoyalAustralianEngineer’sBandfromtheKapookaArmyBase,playingtheAustralianNationalAnthemonthegroundsoftheRVN‐2KooringalStudios,beforetheappearanceoftheìrstpresenterofthestation,PaulGrifìths,welcomingviewerstothebroadcastandintroducingtheChairmanofRiverinaTelevisionLimited,W.J.Hucker.RVN‐2’scommitmenttothecommunitywaspledgedfromthemomentoftheirfirstbroadcastasstatedbyHucker’saddresstotheviewers

“Withoutyou,theviewer,and144000otherslikeyou,thestationwe’reopeningtonightcouldnotbe,foritwasforyouthatwehavebuiltourmagniHicentstudios,anditwasforyouthatwetoreuparuggedroadupamountaintoerecta550ftsteeltoweronapeakwhereonlywildmountainHlowersexisted.Itisforyou,theviewer,thatwehavegatheredtogethertheHinesttelevisionprogramsoftodayanditisforyouandyourspecialneedsthatwearepledgedtoserve.

Asfaraspossible,weintendtocoverlocaleventsandtoencouragelocaltalentsothatRVNwilltrulybeyourstation.“14

FollowingtheaddressbyW.J.Hucker,thethenMinisterforNationalDevelopmentandMemberforFarrer,MrDavidFairbairn,wasintroducedtoviewers,toofìciallyopenthestationthroughthesigningofthevisitorsbook.Fairbairnwasalsoverypositiveandoptimisticforthefutureofthenewtelevisionservice,andinhisaddress,statedtheimportanceoftelevisiontotheregionaswellasdispellingconcernsindividualsmayhavehadupontheintroductionoftelevision

“I’vealwaysfelt,thattelevisionismorenecessaryinthecountrythanitisinthecity.Althoughofcourse,itisawayoflifethroughouttheworldtodaybutinthecountryIthinkitplaysabiggerpart,youhavepeoplemoreisolatedintheremoteareasandforthemtobeabletositathomeafteraday’sworkandgettheentertainmentwhichinthepasttheywouldn’thavebeenabletoget,Ithinkwhichissomethingveryworthwhileforthecountryperson..

..Ihaveasetmyself,ifanythingIthinkthattelevisionhastendertobringthefamilybacktogetheragain,becausetheystayathomeandlookattelevisioninsteadofgoingouttogettheirentertainmentastheydidintheolddays.“15

AddressedbybothHuckerandFairbairnwastheirtributetothelateEricRoberts,theìrstChairmanofradiostation2WG,hispreviousworktoestablishandoperatetheradiostation,whichwasoneofthemajorstakeholderstoestablishRVN‐2.Theopeningproceedingsincludedadocumentaryìlm,showingtheconstructionoftheRVN‐2studiofacilities.Thedocumentarywasìlmedand


producedbyRVN‐2staffthroughouttheprocessofconstructionofboththeKooringalStudiosandtheMtUlandratransmitter.

FollowingtheOpeningCeremonywhichconcludedat7:30pm,theìrstfeaturedprogramonthechannelwasTheFrankIHieldShow,whichwasatraditionalmusicalentertainmentprogramfeaturingAustralianentertainerFrankIìeld.Thisprogram’sdurationwashalfanhour,andwasfollowedbyanhourlongdocumentaryprogramentitledHollywood,TheGoldenYears,whichdetailedthegrowthoftheHollywoodìlmindustry.

At9pm,RVN‐2’sìrstlocalnewsbulletinandweatherreportwasbroadcast,withtheirìrstpresenterandnewsreaderPaulGrifìths.Thebulletinwasveryshortbytoday’sstandard,ofonly5minutes,andwasprimarilyGrifìthsreadingtothecamerawithphotographsandgraphicslidesshownasoverlay.Upontheconclusionofthenewsbulletin,thefeatureìlmTheDamBusterswasshown,followedbyentertainmentprogramJackBennySpecialat11pm,andthenthestation’sclosure.16

Fromthefollowingdayandforthenexttwoyears,RVN‐2waslimitedtonomorethansixhoursofbroadcastinganightcomparedtootherregionalstationsandtheABCatthetimewithsomehaving12hourprogrammingschedules.RVN‐2’sbeganat5pmwithnews,weatherandeveningprogramhighlights,generallyconcludingbefore11pm.


RVN2inthecommunity

Aspledgedfromitsopeningnighton19June1964,RVN‐2workedtoservethecommunityoftheRiverinaandtheSouthWestSlopes,notonlythroughitslocalprogrammingtoengagetheinteractionoflocalaudiences,butalsoassistinginvariouscampaignstoheightencommunityawarenessoflocalissues.RVN‐2’safternoonchildren’sprogramChannel2Children’sClub,whichwashostedbyRVN‐2’sìrsthostess,MsColleenSchoff,wastheìrstprogramofthisnature,andwaspartofhonouringsuchapledge.

Almostayearafteritbeganoperation,RVN‐2engagedinpromotingitsìrstpubliccampaigninApril1965,aRoadSafetyAwarenessquizforlocalHigh‐Schoolstudents.ThecampaignestablishedteamsofstudentsfromparticipatinghighschoolswithintheRVN‐2viewingareasuchasinTumut,Junee,Narrandera,Grifìth,YoungaswellasWagga,tocompeteagainsteachotherintheirawarenessofroadsafetyissues,withthewinningteamawardedatrophyshieldfortheirpossessionuntilarenewedchallengeinthequizwasmadeamonthlater.ThequizwasaninitiativeoftheChannel2Children’sClub,withdirectsupportfromthelocalWaggaBranchoftheRoadSafetyCouncilofNSW,withSeniorConstableIanMortimerWaggaWaggaPolicecompilingthequestions17.ThecompetitionwaswonbyateamrepresentingYoung’scombinedCatholicSchool.RVN‐2receivedacertiìcateofMeritfromtheRoadSafetyCouncilfortheiroutstandingassistanceinpromotingroadsafetythoughtheChildren’sClubtelevisionshow18.

RVN‐2’sencouragementof“localtalent”,aspledgedfromthestation’sopeningnightisshownwiththeirintroductionofalocalTalentshowwhichwasìrstbroadcastliveonSunday9October1966.Theprogramfeaturedlocalartistsandgroupsintheprogram,andrequestedviewerstowriteintothestationtocommentoneachacttodetermineamonthlywinner,whowouldthenfeatureonahalf‐hourspecialattheendoftheseason19.

Encouragedbythesuccessofthisprogram,RVN‐2introducedtheJuniorStarQuestprogramthefollowingyear,aimedatchildrenunder16years.Theprogramnotonlysoughttofosteryoungtalentintheregion,butalsotoassistsupportinglocalcharities.AuditionconcertswereheldinTumut,Cootamundra,LeetonandWagga,organisedbytheLionsClubinCootamundraandApexClubsinothertowns,withanadmissionfeechargedgoingtowardsthecharitiesorganisingtheconcerts.Asaresult,anestimated3000localsattendedtheexhibitionconcerts,with200entrantsreachingthepreliminaryrounds,and36entrantsselectedtocompeteinthetelevisedheatsonRVN‐2,theìrstprogrambroadcastat5:30pmon16June1967,andairingnineheats20.ThewinningcontestantattheendoftheserieswasawardedaNationalFourTrackStereoandMonoCassetteTaperecorder,withwristwatchesawardedtothethreerunnersup,prizeswhichweredeemedofgreatvalueatthetime21.


RVN‐2’smostsigni`icantcommunitycontributioninitsearlyyearswasthestation’seffortsinfundraisingforanupgradeofWaggaWaggaBaseHospital’sChildrensWardatthebeginningof1967.TheStateGovernment’sconsolidationofhospitalfacilitiesundertheRiverinaRegionalScheme,hadcentralisedtheregion’sChildren’swardsintotheonefacilityatWaggaWaggaBaseHospital,andasaresult,thewardwasvisitedbymanypatientsfromoutlyingtownsintheregion.Criticssaidthatthecentralisedfacilitylackedthesuf`icientequipmenttoproperlytreatandaccommodateyoungpatientsfromacrosstheregion,withChairmanoftheHospitalBoard,MrL.J.Kennedydescribingthefacilities,asquote,“hopelesslyinadequate”22.

Thehospitalboardsoughttoraisetherequired$20000toupgradetheward,primarilythroughpublicappeal,andRVN‐2beganRVN2Children’sWardAppealalmostimmediately,withaninitialdonationof$1000towardsattainingthe$20000target.ItwasstatedbyRVN‐2’sGeneralManagerW.Marsdenthatmanychildreninthestation’sviewingareawouldrequirethehospitalfacilitiesatsometimeintheirlifeandthroughpublicserviceannouncements,thestationencouragedviewerstoassistwiththeappeal.23

Withaninitial$5000raised,Children’sWardAppealWalkathonwasheldon12February1967.OrganisedwiththeassistanceoftheSouthWaggaApexClub,theWalkathonrequiredparticipantstomakecontributionstotheappealthroughdonations,withprominentcommunitymemberspartakinginthewalkbeingsponsoredbyviewers.85participants,includingRVN‐2staffandon‐airpersonalitiestookpartinthewalkathon,withthestartinglineoutsideoftheRVN‐2studiosinKooringal,totheoutskirtsofBrucedaleandontotheWaggaWaggaCityCouncilChambers,atotaldistanceof15miles(Approximately27.75km).Uponconclusionofthewalkathon,morethan$4500hadbeenraisedbyviewersandpublicdonations,withthetotalamountoftheappealtohavereachedinexcessof$9500,almostpastthehalf‐waymarkfortheultimate$20000goal.24

Astheappealneareditsgoal,anannouncementindicatedtheestimatedcostofrenovatingtheChildren’sWardandacquisitionofequipmentwashighlyunderestimated.Itwasrevealedtheestimatedcostwouldtotal$38000.However,theMemberforWagga,WalFife,publiclyannouncedinatelecastonRVN‐2thatthroughtheStateGovernmentHospitalsCommission,theadditional$18000wouldbemadeavailableinagrant,ontopofthe$20000raisedintheappeal.25Ultimately,thepersistenceoftheChildren’sWardAppealhadsuccessfullyreached$20000,onlyeightweeksaftertheintroductionoftheappealbyRVN‐2,on26April1967,withworkontherenovationundertakeninadvancewithwellpredictedanticipationoftheconclusionofasuccessfulpublicappeal.26TheHospitalCommissionlaterupgradedtheirofferofthegranttomatchthatofthepublicappeal,whichresultedinatotalof$40000raised,withfurtherdonationsbeingreceivedthroughouttherenovation.

Aftersixmonthsofrenovation,thenewlynamedRVNChildren’sWardwasopenedon12November1967,withthewardnamedinhonourofthetelevisionstation’seffortstoraisetherequirefundsfortheupgrade.


Asidefromfosteringlocaltalentandassistingwithcommunityprojects,threeyearsafterthemergerofRVN‐2andAMV‐4inAlbury(DiscussedonPage11),thestation’sroleinservingthecommunitycontinuedstrongly,thistimeservingthemanyviewersinthenowenlargedviewingareawhowereenrolledattheRiverinaCollegeofAdvancedEducation,bytelecastingaseriesof14weeklyhalf‐hourlecturesofacommonuniversitysubjectentitled“EffectiveCommunication”,includedinmanyTeachingCourses.Thisprogram,thefirstofitskindinAustraliantertiaryeducationandAustraliantelevision,wasaimedatenrolledstudentswhowereunabletoattendlecturesduetoremotenessordomesticobligations.Itsìrsttelecastwas10:30pmon6March1973simultaneouslyonbothRVN‐2andAMV‐4,overatrialperiodof14weeks,withtheprogramfundedbytheCollegeatasubsidisedratebyRVN‐AMV27.Theprogramwasunfortunatelyshort‐lived.

Asidefromthelocalnewsbulletinsandafternoonchildren’sshow,otherlocalprogramsincludedYourMemberReports,ìrstbroadcaston26June1967at9:55pm,allowingpoliticianstoaddressviewersontheirpoliticalactivitiesandlocalissuesintheregion28.Compasswasa30minutelocallyproducedseriesoninterestingaspectsoflifeofthepeopleresidingintheRiverinaandNorth‐EasternVictoria.ItwasjointlyproducedbyproductioncrewsatRVN‐2andAMV‐4andpremieredonSaturday4November197829.VideorockwasaSaturdaymorningmusicvideoprogramaimedatteenageraudiences.

TelevisionImpact

Itshouldbenotedthattelevision’sintroductionalsoimpactedlocallyintheregionthroughmanyindirectways.OneoftwocinemasinWaggawasclosed,andthiswasacommonimpactacrossAustraliainareasimmediatelyupontheintroductionoftelevision.Inaddition,normallycrowdedstreetsofthecitycentreatcafesandrestaurantsbecamedesertedfromtheìrstnightofRVN‐2’sbroadcastinJune1964.Newsagentsreportedadecreaseinsalesofpaperbacknovels,andtheWaggaCityLibraryborrowingsdroppedfrom140000to120000intheìrstyearsincetelevision’sintroduction.Howeverironically,televisionprogramsandadvertisementsonhandicraftsincreasedborrowingsandsalesofbooksonthesubject!30


RVN2andAMV4MergerEvenpriortothestartofRVN‐2,manyotherexistingregionaltelevisionstationsinNSWandVictoriabegantheirìrstyearwithìnanciallosses,andsuchexperiencesmadetheinitialsharesubscriptionsintoRVN‐2ariskyventure.Evenwithsuchrisk,RVN‐2producedaproìtinitsìrstìnancialyearofoperationandwasoneoftheìrststationsinAustraliatodoso.RVN‐2’snearestneighbourwasAMV‐4,thetelevisionstationservingAlburyandNorth‐EasternVictoria(RefertoAppendixA–Page19),whichbeganoperationfourmonthsafterRVN‐2,performedmarginallywellinitsìrstyear,beforethechallengesofrisingoperatingcostsinsubsequentyears.

On14May1971,RVN‐2andAMV‐4mergedtoformasolecompanyandtelevisionoperation,initiatedbyatakeoverfromRVN‐2andapprovedbyshareholdersthedayprior31.Indoingso,thetwotelevisionstationswouldpooltogethertheirtechnicalandsalesresourcestocombinetheirprogrammingandviewerbases,whichwouldappealtoadvertisers.Onairandpublicly,themergedtelevisionstationswerereferredtoon‐airasRVNAMV.Uponthemergerofthetwostations,RiverinaTelevisionLimitedandAlburyUpperMurrayTelevisionLimitedweretransitionedtothesolecompanynameofRiverinaandNorth‐EastVictoriaTelevisionLimited,whichwasìnallygrantedthroughre‐registrationofthecompanybytheNSWCorporateAffairsCommissionon8October197132.

TheìrstadditiontothemergedtelevisionoperationwastheestablishmentofaMicro‐WavelinkbetweenthetwostationsinWaggaWaggaandAlburycompletedinOctober1972,toallowtelevisionprogramstoberelayedbetweenthestationssimultaneously,essentiallycuttingmanycostsinfreightandtapeduplicationinsharingprogramsbetweenfacilities33.ThelinkconsistedofaMicrowavedish,linkedtotheRVNstudiosbycable,installedonthePMGtowersonWillansHillinWagga,relayedbyotherMicrowavedisheslocatedonMountBurngoogeeandMountRaven,beforebeingreceivedonadishlocatedonEasterHillsontheAlburyend.Withthisestablishedlink,RVN/AMVbecametheìrsttelevisionstationsinAustraliatosimultaneouslybroadcastvideotapeprogrammesbyMicrowavelink,on24October197234.

Thefollowingsigniìcantinvestmentwastheintroductionofcolourtelevisiontotheiraudiencebase.RiverinaandNorth‐EastVictoriaTelevisionLimitedinvestedinexcessof$1Milliontoupgradethestations’equipmenttoaccommodatecolourbroadcasting.TheìrstcolourtesttransmissiononRVN‐AMVwason5October1974,beingalivebaseballtelecastfromSydney,aswellasotherselectprogramsincolour.Afteranumberofmonthsoftesting,andwiththeFederalGovernment’splanofintroducingcolourtelevisioninlinewiththerestofthenation’stelevisionstations,theìrstdayofcompletecolourbroadcastsintheregionwason1March1975,withtheìrstprogrambeingthechildren’scartoon,YogiBear35.


AlthoughtheMicrowaveLinkwasonlyintendedtosaveonthetransferofvideotapes,thuskeepingtheseparateprogrammingjobsandtaskstoeachstation,thischangedfouryearslater,withallprogrammingandtransmissionforbothstationsdonesolelyoutofRVN‐2inWagga,consequentlyreducingstaffnumbersinAlburywhopreviouslyentailedthesetasks.ThisshiftinprogrammingcreatedmanyinterestingchallengesforstaffatRVN‐2.TheirprogrammingforAMV‐4alsoservedviewersinNorth‐EastVictoria,essentiallyprovidingprogramsforviewersintwoseparatestates.Intermsofsportingtelecasts,RVN‐2wasrequiredtobroadcastNSWSportssuchastheRugbyLeaguewhereasAMV‐4cateredtotheirprimarilyVictorianviewerswiththeVictorian/AustralianFootballLeaguebroadcasts,atmanytimes,broadcastsimultaneously.

Addingtosuchchallengeswasauniquesituation,whichemergedinMarch1983whentheStateGovernmentsofNewSouthWalesandVictoriadecidedtoendtheirDaylightSavingsperiodsdifferentlyforaperiodofafortnight.ThisconsequentlyrequiredRVN‐2stafftotransmitthesameprogrammingatdifferenttimesfortheseparatestates,tothedifferenceofonehour.Thiswasaccomplishedbytheseparatedequipmenttotransmittothetwodifferentstatesandaudiencebases.ItisbelievedRVN‐AMVwastheonlytelevisionstationinAustraliatohavehadthechallengeofsimultaneousprogrammingtotwoseparatetimesatthattime36.


PaulRamsayandThePrimeNetwork

Fromtheintroductionofcolourtelevision,andtheconsolidationoftransmissiontasks,RVN‐AMVperformedwithmuchìnancialsuccessandgrowth.Programmingwise,withtheacquisitionofanOutsideBroadcasttruckin1980,RVN‐AMVaccomplisheditsìrsteverliveOutsideBroadcastinMay1980attheannualWaggaGoldCuphorserace37.Thesuccessofthisallowedthetelevisionstationstoalsoexpandotherlivebroadcastofregionalsportingevents.Ontheìnancialside,suchsuccessallowedRiverinaandNorthEastVictoriaTelevisionLimitedtoexpandtheirinterests,andinMay1982,purchasedKooringalMallPtyLtd,thecompanythatownedandadministeredtheKooringalMallShoppingCentre,for$1.2million38.

On6July1984,justovertwentyyearsfromRVN‐2’sopeningnight,BillMarsdenretiredfromRVN‐AMV39,andwasreplacedbyNormanBrown40.HavingbeenadrivingforcebehindtheformationofTelevisionintheRiverina,Marsden’sretirementwasasigniìcantconclusioninthecompany’sdirection,whichwasabouttochangethefollowingyear.

PaulRamsay,thefounderandCEOoftheRamsayCorporationwhichwasaconglomerategroupwhoownedmanyinterestsinHealthcareandMediabusinesses,ownedamoderatestakeinRiverinaandNorthEastTelevisionLimited.UpontheretirementofBillMarsdeninJune1984,theRamsayCorporationbeganmakingitsìrstbidforRiverinaandNorthEastVictoriaTelevisionLimitedon24May198541throughacquisitionofsharesfromotherstakeholders,aprocesswhichdidn’ttakelongtoaccomplish.RupertHenderson,amajoritystakeholderinWagga’sTheDailyAdvertisernewspaperandoneofthemainshareholdersinRiverinaandNorthEastTelevisionLimited,soldhisremainingsharesinthestationstoPaulRamsayCommunicationsPtyLtd,thusallowingRamsaytogainmajoritycontrolinthecompanyon3June1985,holdinga42.6%majoritystakeinthestations42

UponthetakeoverofRiverinaandNorthEastVictoriaTelevision,theRamsayCorporationsoughttoinviteviewerstoformcommitteesinassistingwithlocaltelevisionprogramming43.ThiswasamovetoassurelocalviewersandstakeholdersinthestationsthatthecompanydidnotseektoalterormakeanydrasticchangestothetelevisionserviceandpromisedtoremainalocaldrivingforceintheRiverina.

However,despiteassurancesthatverylittlewouldchangeatRVN‐AMV,theoppositeoccurred.On2August1985,fouremployeesofRVN‐AMVweremaderedundant,comprisingaclericalworkeratRVN‐2,anoperationsmanagerandtwootherstaffatAMV‐4.Atthetime,thenGeneralManagerNormBrown,couldnotconfirmofanyfurtherjoblosses,althoughfollowingtheredundancies,ManagingDirectorofRVN‐AMV,AllanHoy,stateduncertaintyforjoblosses,butlikelycancellationoflocallyproducedshowssuchasVideorock,alocalmusicprogramaimedatyouths,andScope,alocalcurrentaffairsprogram44.Thisoccurredashorttimelater.


Uponthesechanges,communityconsultationwasstillbeingundertaken,amidstdisapprovalforthechangeswhichoccurred.Meetingswiththecommunityindicatedmanysuggestions,butanoverridingdesirefromthesemeetingswasaresurrectionofthepreviouslyaxedlocalprogramVideorock,whichviewerspreferredmorethanthepurchaseoftheSevenNetwork’sSoundsprogram45.

Afterintensecommunityconsultation,RVN‐AMVdecidedtosuccumbtocommunityconsultation,andbeginSaturdaytransmissionatanearliertimeof7am,andprovideprogrammingtoappealtolocalyoungaudiences,likecartoonandchildren’sstyleprogramming,andthereintroductionofthelocalmusicprogramVideorock46

November1985markedthestartofwhatwastobecomethefutureofregionaltelevisioninAustralia.RVN‐AMV,whichwasrunbytheRamsayGroup,formedanalliancewithCountryTelevisionServicesLimited,whichoperatedtwoothertelevisionstationsandarepeaterinNSW,thosebeingMTN‐9inGrif`ith,CBN‐8inOrangeandCWN‐6inDubbo,whichwasknownon‐airasMid‐StateTelevision.AnalliancewithCountryTelevisionServiceslaterformedwhatremainsas“ThePrimeNetwork”.Thisamalgamationofstationswasprimarilyforfurthercombiningthecompany’ssalesresourcestoattractadvertisers,withbothcompaniesindependentlymanagingtheirownoperationsandprogrammingtasks47.


AggregationLooms

Fordecades,regionalAustraliawasconstrainedbytheprovisionofnomorethantwotelevisionchannels,onebeingtheirlocalcommercialstation,theotherbeingtheGovernmentfundedandoperatedABC.Thiswasamajordisadvantagetoregionalaudiences,comparedtotheirmetropolitancounterparts,withmajorityofAustralianmainlandcapitalcitieshavinguptoìvetelevisionchannelstochoosefrom.Ownersofregionalstationsdictatedtheviewinghabitsofaudiencesintheirselectionsandpurchasesoftelevisionprograms,andconsequently,wereamonopolyoperationintheirregions.Governmentreportscriticisedregionaltelevisionstationownersashavinga“wildpartyofmassiveproìts”.

TheformerCommunicationsMinister,MichaelDuffy,informallystatedataconferenceinSeptember1985,onthefutureofAustralianTelevisionthattheprovisionofextracommercialtelevisionservicesinregionalareaswouldnowbecomeimminent,withadeadlinebythestartof1990,endingthemonopolyplayedbyregionaltelevisionstationowners48.SuchsuggestionswerenaturallyresistedbythethenRegionalTelevisionAssociation,onthepotentiallossofsigniìcancetheyprovidetotheirlocalcommunities49.

TheFederalGovernmentofìciallyannouncedonthe20thMay1986,labelledasthe‘FederalGovernment’sIndicativePlanforEqualisationofRegionalCommercialTelevision’,theconìrmationthatregionalareasaretohavetwoadditionalcommercialtelevisionchannels.TwooptionswereprovidedtoRegionalTelevisionoperators.Providetheadditionalservicesthemselvesthroughtheprovisionofadditionalchannels,hencemaintainingtheirprizedmonopolypositions,orafìliatethemselveswithanexistentMetropolitanNetworkandexpandintoeachothersmarket.RVN‐AMVatthetimeopposedthelatteroption,owingtoitsexistentlinkswithMTN‐9andThePrimeNetworkforitsadvertisingandprogramalignment50.Naturally,theofìcialannouncementwashighlycriticisedbystationoperationsasameansforthethenHawkeGovernmenttoretaintheirmarginalseatsinregionalareas51.

On17November1986,CommunicationsMinisterMichaelDuffyannouncedfournewcompetitivemarketsforcommercialtelevisionintheregionalareas,withthedecisiontointroducetwoadditionalstationsinWaggaaspartoftheplanforaggregation.ThisprovidedWaggawiththreecommercialstations,theothertwobeingCanberra’sCTC‐7(SubsequentlybecomingthepresentSouthernCrossTen)andWollongong’sWIN‐4(SubsequentlybecomingthepresentWINTelevision).RVN‐2wastoremainindependentandnotexpandintoothermarkets,asitsownershipofAMV‐4wasalreadyservicingregionalVictoria.TheannouncementalsonotedthatGrifìth’sMTN‐9wasnotapprovedasacommercialmarketthatwouldbeneìtfromtheprovisionofadditionalcommercialtelevisionchannels,andhencewouldnotbereceivingthem52.


TheRamsayGroupfavouredtheoptionofexpandingThePrimeNetworkintoothertelevisionmarkets,inCanberra,Wollongong,NorthernNSWandNewcastle,ratherthantheprovisionofMultiChannelservicing53,andsubmitteditsnominationforthisoptiontotheMinisterforTransportandCommunicationsinAugust1987.Inthefollowingmonth,RamsaypurchasedTelevisionNewEnglandLimited,whichoperatedtelevisionstationsinNorthernNSWbeingTamworth’sNEN‐9andArmidale’sECN‐8.ThesepurchasescontinuedinOctober,withthepurchaseofCountryTelevisionServicesLimited,theoperatorsofOrange’sCBN‐8anditstranslatorstationCWN‐6inDubbo.Indoingso,ThePrimeNetwork`inallyhadthestrongestholdofregionaltelevisionaudiences,spanningfromtheQueenslandBorderrightthroughinlandNewSouthWalestoregionalVictoria.Suchastrongholdwasofgreatappealtonationaladvertises54.

Asaggregationdrewcloserbytheendof1989,anewTelevisiontowerwaserectedonWillansHill.Completedonthe18thDecember1989,thisnewtowerwastoaccommodatetheincomingnewcommercialtelevisionnetworks,con`irmedtobeWINTelevisionandCapitalTen.


Changesforthefuture

Theyear1985sawmostdramaticchangesatRVN‐2,thatwouldforeverchangetheidentityofthestation.Thesechangesmarkedthestartoftheendofatotallylocalindependententity.UpontheRamsayGroup’sacquisitionofNSWRegionalTelevisionstationsuptotheendof1987,drasticchangesbecameimminent.InJune1987,althoughRamsayemphasisedtheimportanceoflocalstafftothenewenlargedTVgroup,thisassurancewasfollowedbytheannouncementtheseparatenewsbulletinsproducedbyRVN/AMVservingWaggaWaggaandAlburyweretobemergedintotheonebulletin,withahalf‐mixtureofnewsreportsfromeachregion,producedandbroadcastfromRVN‐2inWaggaWagga.WiththelastAlburybasedAMV‐4newsbulletinbroadcastonFriday11June1987,suchamovewasmetwithmuchoppositionfromcommunityandbusinessgroupsinbothcities55,citingalackofinterestandrelevanceinthenewsandeventsoftheircounterpartcity,featuredinthesamebulletin56.

Thisbulletincarriedthroughforsixmonths,amidstcontinuedcommunityopposition,detailedbylettersofcomplaintconstantlywrittentotheirlocalnewspapers.However,inreactingtosuchoppositionaftermuchcommunityandcouncilcomplaintsanddissatisfaction,ThePrimeNetworkannouncedon15December1987,theRVN‐2localnewswouldbeseparatedfromthecombinedformatoftheWaggaWaggaandAlburynews,andthattheseparatebulletinfortheAlburyandregionalVictorianmarketwouldbereturnedinthebeginningofthenewyear.Infulìllingthisannouncement,bothnewsbulletinswereseparatedandtheAlburynewsbulletinìnallyreturnedon18January198857.

AstheFederalGovernment’sdeadlineforregionaltelevisionaggregationneared,thefateofthetelevisionstationscontinuedtodiminish.FollowingthereinstalmentoftheAlburynewsbulletin,PaulRamsayannouncedinOctober1988themovingofRVN‐AMV’stransmissionfacilitiestoacentralisedbroadcastingcentreinCanberra,andexpectedthemovetobecompletedbythe31stMarch1989,ninemonthsbeforethestartofaggregation.ThiswouldconsequentlyreducestaffnumbersatRVN‐2,essentiallyleavingonlytheproductionandsalesstafftoremainattheKooringalstudios58.

Inpreparingforaggregation,andfulìllingtheFederalGovernmentsguidelinesofafìliationandalignmenttoanexistentmetropolitantelevisionnetwork,ThePrimeNetworkchosetoafìliatetoTheSevenNetwork,andindoingso,RVN‐2removedprogramsfromitsschedulethatwereproducedbycompetingnetworks.ThisangeredRVN‐2viewersasprogramssuchasTheRayMartinShowandDaysofOurLivesfromdaytimetelevisionwereaxedfromRVN‐2,astheseprogramswereassociatedtoincomingcompetitorWIN‐4,afìliatedwiththeNineNetwork.Instead,theywerereplacedwithThePower,ThePassionandTheBertNewtonShow,RVN‐2citingtheirsupportforAustralianproductions59.Despitetheownershipchangesandaggregation,theoldcommunityvaluesof1960s,RVN‐2continuedtobepartoftheWaggastation’scommitmenttoitsregion.

Atmidnightonthe1stJanuary1990,WINTelevisionandCapitalTenbegantheirìrsttelevisionbroadcastsacrosstheRiverina,endingtwenty‐sixyearsofdominancebyRVN‐2intheregion.


RVN2Today

RVN‐2continuestooperateatthetimeofpublication,havingbeencompletelyintegratedintothePrimeTelevisionnetwork,withtheirothertelevisionstationsinAlbury,OrangeandTamworth.TheonlylocalproductiontobefacilitatedattheKooringalStudiosistheproductionofthehalf‐hourweekdaylocalnewsservice,withallotherprogrammingalignedtothesameschedulesthroughoutallthePrimeTelevisionmarkets,facilitatedfromtheirCanberraheadquarters,anddirectlyaf`iliatedtothatofTheSevenNetwork.TheKooringalStudiofacilityisstillinusefortheirnewsservice,howeverthestudiosarealsosharedwithradiostations93.1FM2WZD(StarFM),1152AM2WG,andthesalesof`iceofSouthernCrossTen,allthreeownedbyMacquarieSouthernCrossMedia,thelattersubsidiarybeingadirectcompetitortoPrimeTelevision.

AMV‐4wasdemergedfromRVN‐2tobecomePrimeTelevision’sRegionalVictorialicenseholder.MuchliketheWagga,OrangeandTamworthstations,Albury’sonlylocalproductionistheirownhalf‐hourweekdaylocalnewsservice,withotherprogrammingalignedtotherestofthePrimeNetwork.

Bothstationscontinuetooperate,albeitemployingasmallnumberofstaff,inNewsProductionandSales.Localadvertisingandcommercialproductionhasalsoceasedatbothtelevisionstations.


AppendixAAMV4

AMV‐4beganoperationonMonday7thSeptember1964,threemonthsaftertheìrstbroadcastofRVN2inWaggaWagga.AMV‐4,likemanyregionaltelevisionstationsaftertheirintroduction,wasanindependent,locallyownedandmanagedcompany,withitsBoardrepresentedbylocalsofbusinessprominenceintheviewingarea.LocatedontheborderofNewSouthWalesandVictoria,AMV‐4,bycallsign,wasaVictorianbasedtelevisionstationlocatedinNewSouthWales,andasaresult,majorityofitsprimaryviewingareaandaudiencewasinNorth‐EastVictoria,withcoveragewasasfarWestasDeniliquin,SouthasEuroaandBright,FarEastasCorryongandFarNorthasLockhart.AMV‐4producedmanylocalproductionsinadditiontotheirlocalnewsservice,aswellasthebroadcastofselectedprogramsfromMetropolitanstations.

AMV‐4remainedindependentofRVN‐2,untiltheirmergerin1971asdetailedonpage11ofthisreport.AMV‐4demergedfromRVN‐2inlate1989,tobecomePrimeTelevision’slicenseholderforRegionalVictoria.

AppendixBMTN9

MTN‐9beganoperationonWednesday15thDecember1965at7pm,overayearandahalfaftertheìrstbroadcastofRVN2.Alsoanindependent,locallyownedandmanagedcompany,MurrumbidgeeTelevisionLimited,MTN‐9servednotonlytheMurrumbidgeeIrrigationAreaofGrifìth,LeetonandNarrandera,butextendedasfarsouthasHay,fareastasHillstonandfarnorthtoLakeCargelligo.MTN‐9producedalimitedamountoflocalprogramming(comparedtothatofRVN‐2’sandAMV‐4’s)inadditiontoalocalNewsServiceandadvertisingproduction.

MTN‐9’sonlyassociationwithRVN‐2wasinNovember1985whenRVN/AMVwasalignedintothePrimeNetwork,seepage13

UpontheFederalGovernmentannouncementofRegionalTelevisionAggregation,thetelevisionmarketservingGrifìthandtheMurrumbidgeeIrrigationAreawasdeemedtoosmallfortheadditionoftwocommercialchannels,andconsequently,MTN‐9waslaterseparatedfromThePrimeNetwork,andcontinueditsoperationindependently,untilitspurchasein1998byWINCorporation,ownersandoperatorsofWIN‐4inWollongong,whichhassubsequentlybeensuccessfulinexpandingintoothertelevisionmarketspost‐Aggregation.

Apartfromtheproductionoftelevisioncommercials,MTN‐9’sìnallocalproductionwasthelongrunningnewsservice,WINNewsGrifHith,whichaireditslastbulletinon18thAugust2006.


AppendixC–ViewingArea,RVN2


AppendixD–ViewingArea,RVNAMV


FirstBroadcastonRVN2:19thJune1964

TranscriptfromtherecordingofthePirstbroadcastheldbyWaggaWaggaCityLibrary

PaulGrif`iths:“GoodEvening,I’mPaulGrifHiths,andwelcometotheHirstprogramtransmissionfromRVNChannel2,andofcourseouropeningceremony.ItismypleasurethiseveningtointroducetoyouthechairmanofourboardofdirectorsofRiverinaTelevisionLimited,MrW.J.Hucker”

W.J.Hucker:“GoodEvening.Iaddressmyselfpersonallytoyouinyourhomefortelevisionisapersonalexperience.Withoutyou,theviewer,and144000otherslikeyou,thestationwe’reopeningtonightcouldnotbe,foritwasforyouthatwehavebuiltourmagniHicentstudios,anditwasforyouthatwetoreuparuggedroadupamountaintoerecta550ftsteeltoweronapeakwhereonlywildmountainHlowersexisted.Itisforyou,theviewer,thatwehavegatheredtogethertheHinesttelevisionprogramsoftodayanditisforyouandyourspecialneedsthatwearepledgedtoserve.RVN2isoneoftheHinestTVStationsinAustraliatoday,anditisastationthathasbeenbuiltwithaneyetothefuturetofullyserveyourneedsformanyyears.Itisastationthathasintroducedmanynewtechniques,automationforone,theextensiveuseoftransistorsforanother,thathasexcitedTVexpertsaroundthenation.YourboardhasendeavouredtogiveyouastationthatisefHicient,modernandoneofwhichyoucanbejustlyproud.

Asfaraspossible,weintendtocoverlocaleventsandtoencouragelocaltalentsothatRVNwilltrulybeyourstation.Allthis,wastheoriginalvisionofoneman,whoseworkinorganisingourcompany,andbythewinningofourlicenseatapublichearing,hasmadetonightpossible,ourHirstchairman,thelateEricRoberts.WehavetriedtocarryhisworkthroughtofulHilmentashewouldhavewanted.Onbehalfoftheboard,Iwouldliketothankourmanager,MrMarsden,andourchiefengineerMrMcDonald,bothofwhomhavedoneamagniHicentjob,ourstaff,ourarchitect,MrGordonTraffordWalker,thebuildersandcontractors,andallthosemanypeoplethathavecontributedtotheconstructionofRVN2.

ItisnowmypleasuretowelcomethehonourableDavidFairbairn,DFCMHR,theMinisterforNationalDevelopmenttoformallyopenRVNChannel2,bythesigningofourvisitorsbook,MrFairbairn”

DavidFairbairn:“GoodEveningMrHucker,GoodEveningLadiesandGentlemen.WelltodayisagreatdayforWagga,orperhapsIshouldsay,fortheRiverinaandSouthWestSlopes,becauseIunderstandfromMrHuckerthatyouwillbecoveringanareaverymuchlargerthanWaggaitself,andcomposingsome150000peoplewholiveinthatarea.It’samazingwhenyouthinkback,ifoneweretothinkof30yearsagoitwouldhavebeenafantasyofJulesVernetohavesaidthatpeopleweregoingtositintheirhomesandlookinandseewhatwearedoinghereinWagga,andseeHilms,inthecomfortoftheirownhome,buttoday,thatfantasyhasbecomeareality,andtodaythe42ndTVStationhasbeenopenedinAustralia.TVisbigtimeinAustralia,todaytheindustryhasaninvestmentofsomethinglike300millionpoundsandIbelievethattherearesomethingliketwoandaquartermillionlicensesinAustraliaforpeoplewhoownTVsets.I’mgladtoseethefaiththatRiverinaTelevisionhashadinthisstation,andafterallonemustrealisethatthey


haveinvestedagreatdealofmoneyhere,IbelievethatsomethinglikehalfamillionpoundshasbeenspentonthismagniHicentstation,Ihopethatmanyofyouwillgetanopportunityofcominghere,andlookingatthestationandseeingwhattheyhavedone.

I’vealwaysfelt,thattelevisionismorenecessaryinthecountrythanitisinthecity.Althoughofcourse,itisawayoflifethroughouttheworldtodaybutinthecountryIthinkitplaysabiggerpart,youhavepeoplemoreisolatedintheremoteareasandforthemtobeabletositathomeafteraday’sworkandgettheentertainmentwhichinthepasttheywouldn’thavebeenabletoget,Ithinkwhichissomethingveryworthwhileforthecountryperson,soI’mparticularlygladtoseethatthisstationhasbeenopened,primaryofcourse,televisionisforpleasurebutitalsoservesverymanyotheruses,ofeducation,particularlyofeducationinagriculture,ofadvertising,news,weatheranditHillsagreatmanyusestothemanonthelandandI’msureyou’regoingtoHindthatyourviewerswillbeserved,andservedwellbytheprogramsthatwillbeputoverfromthisstation.

TherewerethoseintheearlydayswhowereperhapsalittlebitfrightenedoftelevisionwhenitstartedupinAustralia,weweretoldthattelevisionwasgoingtoalterourwayoflife,thatitwasgoingtoaffectthefamily.WellallIcansay,andIhaveasetmyself,is,Ithinkthattelevisionhastendedtobringthefamilybacktogetheragain,becausetheystayathomeandlookattelevisioninsteadofgoingouttogettheirentertainmentastheydidintheolddays.

NowRiverinaTelevisionhaspriviligesbyhavingitslicensehere,butwiththoseprivilegesgoesresponsibilities,andIknowthatMrHucker,youandthedirectors,areverywell,ah,wellrealisetheresponsibilitiesthatyouhavegot.Justasthereareresponsibilitieswiththegreatnewspapersandthebroadcastingstationstheymustdotheirutmosttocoverfullyandtocoverwell,thenewsandthenewscommentaries,andtogivethetruepicturetothepublic,ofwhatishappeningintheirmidsts,andwhatishappeningthroughouttheworld.AndwhenI’mspeakingofthedirectorsofRiverinaTelevision,IwantalsotomentionasdidMrHucker,yourfirstchairmanofdirectors,thelateE.V.Roberts,becauseIknewhimwell,personallyforalongtime,IknowwhatamagniHicentjobhedid,ingetting2WGoperatingandmakingittheHirstclassstationthatitistoday,andI’mmainlysorrythathewasn’tabletoseethisopeningheretonight.

NowIunderstandthatthePostmasterGeneralhastoldmethatearlyinthenewyear,thenationalstationwillbeoperatinghere,andthenyouwillhaveachoiceoftwostations,thisofcoursepresentssomedifHiculties,IreadrecentlyofacaseinNewZealandwhereonemanwentintohisnextdoorneighbourtoseetheHilmthathewantedtoseebuttheyrefusedtoputiton,andIthinkheHinishedupshootingtwoofthem.Ihopethatthiswon’thappeninthisarea.

InowhaveverymuchpleasureindeedindeclaringthisstationofHiciallyopenbysigningthevisitorsbook.“


CSURegionalArchiveresources

TheDailyAdvertiser,various

RVN2NewsreelFilm

• RW6–Variousnewsìlmandscripts,1975‐77• RW1529–Item1:WaggaFloodsNewsìlm(1974)andWaggaCentenary

(1970)• RW1529–Item2:GoughWhitlam’svisittoWaggaWagga

RVN2LicenseRenewalApplication

• RW2150:TelevisionLicenseRenewalapplications.RiverinaandNorth‐EastVictoriaTelevisionPtyLtd,PrimeTelevisionandWINTelevision

OtherResources

PersonalInterviews

• KevinOlsen• PatrickCoombes• BruceGater• MarilynChapman

WaggaWaggaCityLibrary

• VideorecordingofRVN‐2OpeningNighton19thJune1964• PhotographofRVN‐2’sKooringalStudios(Oncoverofreport)

RoyVisionWebsite

• PersonalaccountwrittenbyBillMarsden.Retrieved11‐03‐2008http://www.xroyvision.com.au/ecv/rvn/2003/origins.html

Theauthoralsogreatlyacknowledgestheassistanceofthefollowingpeople:

ThestaffoftheCharlesSturtUniversityRegionalArchives

• NancyBlacklow• PatrickSproule• BruceGater• KevinOhlsen• PatrickCoombes• DavidFont• JohnGrifìn• ToddEmslie• IsabelIreland• VivianTucker• MarilynChapman• AndrewSkewes• NarelleGardiner• DeborahBraines


Terms

Thisreportusesthefollowingtermsasameanstodistinguishthevariouscontextsimpliedontopicsandinformation:

• RVN2,withthehyphen,wastheofìcialregisteredcallsignandbroadcastedpublicidentityofthetelevisionstation.RVN‐2hasalsobeenreferredtoasRVN2(Withoutthehyphen).Inthecontextofthisreport,theuseofRVN‐2willencompassthetelevisionstationasawholeentity,includingthatoftheproduction,technical,ìnancialandclericaldepartments.

• ThesamecontextisimpliedintheuseofthetermAMV4,todescribethelocalAlburybasedtelevisionstation,whichotherwisehasalsobeenreferredtoasAMV4(Withoutthehyphen).

• IndescribingthemergedstateofRVN‐2/AMV‐4,thesinglewholeentityofthemergedstationsisreferredtointhisreportasRVNAMV(OfìciallyregisteredwithahyphenbetweenRVNandAMV)encompassingtheproduction,technical,ìnancialandclericaldepartmentsofbothtelevisionstationsinWaggaWaggaandAlbury.

Inreferringtothebusinessandìnancialaspectofthestation,whichiscompletelyindependentoftelevisionproductionaspectofthestationmentioned,thefollowingtermsareused:

• RiverinaTelevisionLimited:Referringtotheoriginalregisteredcompanynameofthetelevisionstationuponitsformationin1963,priortoitsmergerwithAMV‐4in1971.

• RiverinaandNorthEastVictoriaTelevisionLimited,referringtotheregisteredcompanynameofthemergedtelevisionstationsRVN‐2andAMV‐4(RVN‐AMV)after1971.

• ThePrimeNetwork,whichreferstotheinitialTelevisionStationschangeinownershiptowardstheRamsayGroupanditscorporateandprogrammingalignmenttoothertelevisionstationsunderthesameownership,allofwhichwereafìliatedtotheprogramsandschedulesoftheSevenNetwork.

• PrimeTelevision,referringtothepresentownershipandpublicidentityofthetelevisionstationatthetimeofthisreport’spublication.

InreferringtotheparentcompanyofRiverinaandNorthEastVictoriaTelevisionLimitedandsubsequentlyThePrimeNetwork,whichiscompletelyindependentofthetelevisionproductionaspectofanystationownedorafìliatedbythecompany,thefollowingtermsareused:

• TheRamsayCorporation:EncompassingitssubsidiaryPaulRamsayCommunicationsPtyLtd,whichwastheofìcialcontrollingstakeholderinRiverinaandNorthEastVictoriaTelevisionLimited,andencompassingPaulRamsay,founderandCEOofTheRamsayCorporation


Footnotes

1GraemeTurnerandStuartCunningham,TheMediaandCommunicationsinAustralia(2006)p1772RiverinaExpress,6thApril19623Marsden,B.TheOriginsofRiverinaTelevisionPtyLtd.RetrievedMarch11,2009,fromhttp://www.xroyvision.com.au/ecv/rvn/2003/origins.html4TheDailyAdvertiser,6thNovember19635TheDailyAdvertiser,17thMay19636Marsden,B.TheOriginsofRiverinaTelevisionPtyLtd.RetrievedMarch11,2009,fromhttp://www.xroyvision.com.au/ecv/rvn/2003/origins.html7Marsden,B.TheOriginsofRiverinaTelevisionPtyLtd.RetrievedMarch11,2009,fromhttp://www.xroyvision.com.au/ecv/rvn/2003/origins.html8TheDailyAdvertiserTele‐guide,11thMay19639TheDailyAdvertiser,17thMay196310TheDailyAdvertiser,11thMay196411Marsden,B.TheOriginsofRiverinaTelevisionPtyLtd.RetrievedMarch11,2009,fromhttp://www.xroyvision.com.au/ecv/rvn/2003/origins.html12TheDailyAdvertiser,18thJune196413TheDailyAdvertiser,20thJune19641419thJune1964,OpeningBroadcast[Televisionroadcast],WaggaWagga,RVN‐2’s,heldbyWaggaWaggaCityLibrary1519thJune1964,OpeningBroadcast[Televisionroadcast],WaggaWagga,RVN‐2’s,heldbyWaggaWaggaCityLibrary16TheDailyAdvertiser,19thJune196417TVTimes,21stApril196518TVTimes.3rdNovember196519TVTimes,6thOctober196620TVTimes,21stJune196721BroadcastingandTelevision,25thMay196722TheDailyAdvertiser,13thJanuary196723TheDailyAdvertiser,16thJanuary196724TheDailyAdvertiser,13thFebruary196725TheDailyAdvertiser,10thApril196726TVTimes,26thApril196727TheBorderMail(13thFebruary1973)andTheDailyAdvetiser(13thFebruary1974)28TheDailyAdvertiser,26thJune196729TheDailyAdvertiser,30thOctober197830TVTimes,6thMarch196631TheDailyAdvertiser,9thSeptember197132NSWCorporateAffairsCommissionregistrationdocument,heldbyPrimeTelevision,Kooringal,sighted22ndJanuary200933TheDailyAdvertiser,30thJune197234BroadcastingandTelevision,9thNovember197235TheDailyAdvertiser,28thFebruary197536KevinOlseninterview–conducted11thDecember200837Scrapbook,heldbyPrimeTelevision,Kooringal


38TheDailyAdvertiser,13thMay198239(1984,June18).AtHome[TelevisionBroadcast].WaggaWagga,Australia:RVN‐AMV40TheDailyAdvertiser,27thJune198441TheDailyAdvertiser,p8,24thMay198542TheDailyAdvertiser,p3,2rdJune198543TheDailyAdvertiser,p3,26thJuly1985

44TheDailyAdvertiser,p3,5thAugust198345TheDailyAdvertiser,p34thSeptember198546TheDailyAdvertiser,p627thSeptember198547TheDailyAdvertiser,p2,23rdNovember198548TheDailyAdvertiser,p1,1stSeptember198549TheDailyAdvertiser,p1,2ndOctober198550TheDailyAdvertiser,p1,21stMay198651TheDailyAdvertiser,p1,26thMay198652TheDailyAdvertiser,p1,19thNovember198653TheDailyAdvertiser,p3,26thFebruary198754TheDailyAdvertiser,p2,13thAugust198755TheBorderMail,11thJuly198756TheBorderMail,p9,14thJuly198757TheDailyAdvertiser,p5,15thDecember198758TheDailyAdvertiser,p7,15thOctober198859TheDailyAdvertiser,p1,4thFebruary1989

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