A long wait is ahead for Central Victorians wanting to watch free-to-air television.
That’s what the operator of the local transmission towers, BAI Communications is telling us, after its Mount Alexander sites were impacted by the Ravenswood South bushfire.
Viewers across the region lost access to all digital TV channels, and several radio frequencies, when the blaze reached the top of Mt Alexander around 7.15pm on Friday, January 9th.
Photos of the damage caused by the fire have been shared on Facebook by WIN TV, appearing to show the interior of a brick building at the site gutted by flames.
A BAI spokesperson said their field teams “quickly responded” to the disaster and are working to restore broadcast services to affected communities.
“We understand how important these services are, particularly during emergencies, and we’re doing everything we can to progressively bring services back online,” the spokesperson said.
“We have deployed mobile broadcast equipment to service a limited area that includes Bendigo and will continue to expand broadcast coverage as we can.
“Full restoration of free-to-air TV and radio services will take some time due to the extent of the damage.
“We will keep all stakeholders advised as this work progresses.”
While it’s not known when exactly TV transmission will resume locally, BAI has indicated it could take “some weeks or months” before that happens, as the sites’ power systems and broadcast infrastructure – including emergency back-up systems – are badly damaged, requiring significant repair and rebuild work.
The loss of the infrastructure leaves around 187,500 viewers without TV reception, in an area spanning from Kyneton in the south to Cohuna in the state’s north-west.
A map has been provided by the ABC as to which towns are affected and where some viewers are able to find another TV signal.
Residents of Maryborough, for instance, can potentially re-point their antennas toward the Mt Cole transmission site, allowing them to receive Ballarat’s signals.
Professional antenna services may be required to safely reorient equipment.
Gold Central Victoria’s transmission infrastructure remains unaffected and continues to broadcast across the listening area on 98.3FM, 1071AM and via the iHeartRadio app.
