We’re likely to be waiting a while longer for the return of all our free-to-air TV channels.
That’s according to the latest update from BAI Communications, the owner and operator of the Mount Alexander transmission site gutted by fire earlier this year.
In a statement made public late last week, the company said “lead times on transmitter delivery” had forced a delay.
“The complete suite of commercial multi-channels is not expected to be fully available until 2027,” the statement reads.
“Significant remediation works are ongoing and will continue for some time, though these are not expected to disrupt services for audiences.
“The transmission site has both mains and redundant power available.”
BAI’s infrastructure was critically damaged in the Ravenswood South bushfire on January 9th, resulting in the loss of all TV signals and some radio signals in the region.
A partial restoration of services occurred on January 20th, with the site operating at reduced power.
Presently, just six commercial TV channels are being transmitted from the Mt Alexander facility: Seven, 7Mate, Nine, 9Gem, 10 and 10Comedy.
Authorities had previously indicated that an expansion of multi-channel options would occur before June, and the commercial stations and their full suite of multi-channels back to full-power in the second-half of this year.
But, all ABC and SBS channels are currently available and “operating at effectively normal power output and coverage levels”, as are radio services.
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