Channel 31 is the frequency currently reserved for free-to-air community television (CTV) stations in the major Australian capital cities. The stations broadcast in analogue only at present but have been assured by the Federal Government of a transition to digital transmission in the future.
Each station is a not-for-profit entity and is subject to specific provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act (1992). A Code of Conduct, registered with the Australian Communications and Media Authority, provides additional regulation of the sector.
The CTV stations operate independently so they are tehnically not a network (in the commonly held definition of the term). However, some programs are broadcast on multiple stations in the group, and they do co-operate with each other in various ways.
The stations act collectively through the Australian Community Television Alliance.
