Yahoo Lifestyle 
Channel 10 viewers slam network's 'disappointing' announcement: 'So sad'
"Hard times are effecting all. Things are going to get worse."
Channel 10 viewers have hit back at Seven West Media and WIN’s 'disappointing' announcement that Ten has ceased airing in Mildura after almost 20 years.
Fans of the network will need to rely on their streaming app, 10Play, to continue watching the channel, potentially alienating those who are less tech-savvy or who don't have a smart TV. Otherwise, Mildura residents will be forced to install a satellite, which could cost upwards of $800, in order to watch Ten.
Ten does not own regional TV stations, and as a result, in Mildura, it is owned by Seven West Media and WIN.
The Project shared the story on Instagram, and fans shared their thoughts on the shutdown, which is due to "falling advertising revenue, rising costs, and running at a loss."
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"This is not good," one user wrote, while another agreed, "This is sad."
"So sad, but also bad!" a third said. "And it is not going to help having 10play. It hardly has any shows or episodes and doesn't keep the episodes they do have long enough.
"Then there are shows that 10 does screen, but are not on 10play at all, because of licensing issues! 10play wants customers to pay for Paramount. Hard times are effecting all. Things are going to get worse."
"Well put better shows on," a fourth said, slamming the network.
"Pretty bloody sad considering it's 2024 not back in the dark ages," someone else said.
"Disappointing for all those viewers!" another wrote.
"We get Melbourne news and adds on Ch 10 in Darwin 🙈," one viewer said, while another responded, "We get regional NSW ads in Victoria!"
The Project wrote on Instagram, "It's feared Mildura is just the tip of the iceberg, and similar signal shutdowns could happen across Australia, threatening jobs, and access to local content, news and sport.
"And next in the firing line? Regional WA, the NT and all of Tasmania."
Ten fires back
Given that Ten does not own its regional stations, the network has criticised the change, saying Mildura residents "deserve better."
"We strongly support the 4-step plan put forward by Free TV Australia and reiterate that the immediate survival of free-to-air television in regional Australia is now squarely in the hands of the Government," an Ten spokesperson tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
"The people of Mildura deserve a better solution than paying $800 for a satellite dish. As an alternative, free access to all Network 10 live channels and content, including 70+ additional FAST channels, are available to download immediately as 10 Play on your TVs and devices today.”
SHOP:
Free TV's four-step plan
Free TV has stated that more regional towns will follow if the government doesn't step in. They are calling on the government to:
Abolish the outdated and unjustified spectrum tax.
Amend the Prominence and Anti-Siphoning Bill to ensure that all Australians can watch their live and free sport no matter how they get their free TV, and can find their local TV services on their current TV sets without needing to buy a new one.
Review regulatory imposts on commercial TV stations that don’t apply to digital competitors who sell advertising against them—such as licence area restrictions and rules that limit ownership arrangements.
Implement direct funding support for markets where services are not commercially viable. The Government already spends billions of dollars on telecommunications blackspots and should do the same for regional broadcasting.
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