The ICTV History

A Brief History of ICTV

• 1982 to 1986 - EVTV (Ernabella, SA) and Warlpiri Media Association (Yuendumu, NT) commence local video production and pirate telecasts.
• 1984 - 'Out of the Silent Land' report released
• 1986 - Eric Michaels presents his report to AIAS entitled 'The Aboriginal Invention of Television' which looked at the use of video as a tool for cultural maintenance, in particular with the works of Francis Jupururrla Kelly.
• 1987 to 1996 - The BRACS (Broadcasting in Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme) was rolled out to 103 remote Aboriginal communities around Australia as a response to the launch of the Aussat Satellite and the introduction of free-to-air television in remote communiteis.  The BRAC Scheme enable the transmission of locally produced television and radio.
• 1993 - The commencement of the BRACS Revitalisation Strategy.  This Strategy provided funding for training, production and technical support for eight regional media associations.
• 1998 - 1st Remote Video Festival was held at Kintore (Walungurru NT) which showcased the range of video produced by Indigenous people in remote communities.
• October 2001- ICTV established at the 3rd Remote Video Festival in Umuwa, South Australia by PY Media, Warlpiri Media (now PAW), PAKAM and Ngaanyatjarra Media.
• 2002 to 2004 - 'IRCA in Action' video playout commences transmission on Channel 31, the second Imparja Satellite channel.  Video ingest and playout supported by Imparja.
• 2004 to ICTV receives first amount of funding ($25K) to purchase an automated playout system;  ICTV is set up at PY Media offices in Alice Springs, with a relay to Imparja enabling 24 hour a day feed to Imparja;  Eight (8) to twelve (12) hours of new programming from remote communities received each month with no production funding;  80% of programming in Indigenous languages.
• 2005 to 2006 - RIBS Television Transmitter Rollout Funding ($2million) enabled approximately 151 remote communities to receive and retransmit ICTV Programming.
• October 25 2006 - Inaugural Annual General Meeting of ICTV held at Balgo community, Western Australia; ICTV becomes incorporated.
• 2006 to 2007 - ICTV grows in popularity in remoe communities, resulting in a resurgence of video production of language and culture programming.
• May 2007 - ICTV Forum held in Alice Springs to discuss aggregation agreement with NITV;  Pioneers of video movement in remote communities describe history; No outcomes from meeting.
• July 12 2007 - ICTV is taken 'off air' from the Imparja satellite in prepartion for NITV Programming.
• September 2007 - 9th Remote Video Festival held in remote community of Warakurna, Western Australia; theme of 'ICTV Into the Future' looks at options for re-establish ICTV.
• February 2008 - Strategic Business Plan Workshop held in Alice Springs.
• July 1 2008 - ICTV commences to operate independently.
• April 2009 - ICTV video streaming website - Indigitube - goes live at http://www.indigitube.com.au
• November 13, 2009 - ICTV recommences broadcasts, on a weekend basis, on the Westlink satellite service on Channel 23 on the Optus Aurora satellite.
• July 27 & 28, 2010 - Remote Indigenous Technical Forum held in Alice Springs.
• September 2, 2010 - Upgraded Indigitube website launched at Melbourne Writer's Festival.
• October 12, 2010 - ICTV Annual General Meeting held on Thursday Island, Queensland.
• October 4 2011 - ICTV Annual General Meeting in Umuwa, South Australia
• October 2011 - ICTV co-ordinates video screenings and awards at 13th Remote Media Festival in Umuwa, South Australia.
• October 2 2012 - ICTV Annual General Meeting held in Djarindjin, Western Australia.
• October 2012 - ICTV co-ordinates video screenings and awards at 13th Remote Media Festival in Umuwa, South Australia.
• December 6, 2012 - ICTV commences programming part-time on Channel 601 on VAST.