Antenna Awards celebrate best of community TV

November 3, 2023
9:41 am

The Antenna Awards, a celebration of the best of community TV, returned on Saturday night as a beacon of creativity and inclusivity in Australian media.

On 28 October, the Antenna Awards celebrated the achievements of community TV programs, personalities and producers in a glitzy ceremony hosted by comedian Lizzy Hoo (The Project, Have You Been Paying Attention?) with house band The Putbacks, featuring Jace XL, at Deakin Edge, Federation Square.

“In today’s day and age, when people are looking for trusted sources of information, increasingly they are looking local. Which is why having community TV on free-to-air TV is still critically important.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas

Program makers travelled from around Australia to celebrate with and recognise their peers across twenty-four peer-judged categories. Nominations highlighted the exciting abundance of emerging creative talent in community TV, through to the enormous contributions made to diverse communities by committed volunteers over many years.

“This is the most diversity Australian television has ever seen,” joked the ABC’s Annie Louey, joining Lizzy Hoo on stage to present an award.

Representing the Victorian Allan Government, Paul Mercurio MP gave a glowing speech before handing out the Antenna Award for Best Arts Program. “I am just so impressed that community television is so alive and so well. It’s been so good seeing what I’ve seen tonight!”

In a pre-recorded package, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas paid tribute to this year’s nominees and added, “In today’s day and age, when people are looking for trusted sources of information, increasingly they are looking local. Which is why having community TV on free-to-air TV is still critically important.”

Speaking to the importance of representation on community television screens, host of First Nations current affairs program Mob Talks, Marcellus Enalanga, said, “To have First Nations voices heard, especially in a referendum year, to hear the stories about what’s going on, on the ground and our issues … is amazing!”

“These awards highlight the significant role community TV plays in the media landscape, in continuing to produce the most diverse and independent content that mainstream media does not."

Lauren Hillman, General Manager, Channel 44 Adelaide

“Non-profit, local access. These are powerful words,” said City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece as he congratulated the night’s participants. “Community TV shows us that media can be independent, inclusive, funny and fair.”

“Tonight reminds us that each and every one of you are ordinary people who do an extraordinary thing,” said Ian Hamm, President of the Community Broadcasting Foundation. “Just as community radio gives voice to the unheard, you [community television] bring the light to the unseen.”

Representing the Albanese Government, Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP, Member for Higgins, presented the final two awards and added some concluding thoughts: “I can see that community TV is not only worthy itself, but it’s clearly a pipeline for Australia’s talent, particularly our younger generation who are going to be the future leaders in this industry.

“The variety of categories that we celebrate tonight reflect the diverse ways you connect and inspire. You continue to provide for your communities and, for that, we thank you.”

“The 2023 Antenna Awards were a wonderful celebration of the community TV sector coming together to celebrate what we do best, sharing local stories,” said Lauren Hillman, General Manager, C44 Adelaide. “These awards highlight the significant role community TV plays in the media landscape, in continuing to produce the most diverse and independent content that mainstream media does not. They also display our important relationship with local university and industry partners in supporting pathways and training.”

Watch the 2023 Antenna Awards on C44 and CTV+

7pm, Saturday 11 November

“This year’s awards came at a pivotal time for us” added Shane Dunlop, General Manager, C31 Melbourne, and President of the Australian Community TV Alliance (ACTA). “After a prolonged period of uncertainty, we are now well placed to secure a long-term future on free-to-air television and we’re excited about ushering in a new national footprint for community TV behind the excellent CTV+ service. We look forward to working with the Albanese Government in securing long-term broadcast security over the next brief period.”

The Antennas are another testament to community TV’s ability to champion diversity. The winners and nominees represent an array of cultures, perspectives, and experiences, showing that the opportunities provided by community TV continue to provide a much-needed catalyst for truly inclusive media in Australia.