Free-to-air TV returns to Bendigo after bushfire damage
Transmission infrastructure was damaged earlier this month.
Free-to-air television services have returned to air across Victoria’s Bendigo region, restoring access to major commercial and national broadcasters after bushfires caused significant damage to shared transmission infrastructure earlier this month.
The restoration follows the installation of temporary transmission facilities at the Mount Alexander transmission site, which services all broadcasters in the region and was badly damaged by fire on 9 January. While the return marks a major milestone for local audiences, services will remain reduced as longer-term rebuild works continue.
Temporary transmission brings key channels back
From this afternoon, viewers in the Bendigo area can now access channels from the Seven Network (Seven and 7mate), WIN Network (9 and GEM), and Network 10 (10 and 10 Drama), alongside services from the ABC and SBS.
Viewers have been advised to re-scan their televisions to ensure all restored channels are available.
Industry-wide effort to restore essential services
The return of services has been framed by broadcasters as a rare example of cross-industry cooperation under pressure.
WIN Network chief executive officer Andrew Lancaster said the restoration reflected “an extraordinary industry-wide effort” following what he described as “a complex and challenging recovery” after catastrophic bushfire damage.
He acknowledged the work of broadcast engineers, transmission partners and emergency authorities who worked to restore services for the Bendigo community.
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Southern Cross Media Group managing director and CEO Jeff Howard said all broadcasters had worked closely together, alongside Broadcast Australia and Telstra, to restore essential services as quickly as possible.
Howard said the group remained fully committed to supporting the Bendigo community through the bushfire recovery and to returning services to full capacity as soon as possible.
Local television’s role during crisis
Network 10 president Beverley McGarvey said the restoration underlined the importance of local television during emergencies.
She said the network recognised the vital role television plays in keeping communities informed and connected, particularly during times of crisis, and thanked emergency services and technical teams involved in the recovery.
McGarvey added that the network’s thoughts remained with everyone affected by the fires and that Network 10 would continue to support the Bendigo region as it recovers and rebuilds.
Reduced services to remain during rebuild
While today’s restoration brings relief to viewers, broadcasters confirmed the temporary transmission setup will remain in place while permanent infrastructure at Mount Alexander is rebuilt.
Further updates will be provided as works progress, with full service restoration dependent on the completion of repairs to the damaged site.
