No, Fred was continually making disparaging remarks about the committee on air. He also played Gary Shannon's crazy calls from the CD all the time because he couldn't come up with his own material. And he objected to the breakfast show being called Morning Glory because of the sexual connotation.

New TV backers say stop pouring money into Access 31 http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23925191-5012990,00.html Helen Ganska, TV editor ganskah@sundaytimes.newsltd.com.au June 26, 2008 08:00am A BROADCASTING consortium which wants to take over WA's Channel 31 community TV station is urging the WA and federal government to stop funding the ailing station. The business and broadcasting figures who say they’re willing to take over the running of WA’s Channel 31 community TV station (Access 31) are urging the State and Federal governments not to “throw good money after bad” by bailing out the company which currently operates the station. “Just since 2006 the State government has poured $1,664,267 into the company,” said group spokesperson Rex Widerstrom. “That’s in addition to revenue from selling sponsorships and charging producers, which brings in around $2 million a year. “The company’s own figures show sales increasing by 70 per cent between July and September 2007. The station recently bought – using a government grant – a brand new transmitter, increasing its coverage and picture quality. Yet the directors say the company is facing liquidation. “This follows a voluntary administration in 2003 when the company declared a nil dividend owing numerous creditors – including former staff – many hundreds of thousands of dollars. “There is no doubt that successive boards at Access 31 have done their best to keep community television in WA on air and solvent. However there is also no doubt that they have failed on two occasions despite substantial investment of public funds, and seem likely to continue to do so. We feel it’s time other people were given the opportunity and we’re confident that our alternative model – which is taking shape as we meet with producers and others vitally interested in the future of community TV – provides a blueprint which will ensure the survival of public access television in Perth.” The group contacted Premier Alan Carpenter and Communications Minister Stephen Conroy earlier this week to appraise them of the situation and to urge them not to continue to invest public money in an enterprise which “seems poorly structured from the outset”. While not everyone involved can be named at this point, amongst the people who have agreed to advise any new venture, and who may consider playing a more active role in future, are: John Crilly, former executive producer with Channel 7 Perth; former technical and program advisor to Access 31 Perth; owner of an independent production company responsible for Telethon, the Skyshow, the Christmas Parade and other major live events. Michael Pugh, former vice president at Merrill Lynch and board member at Hartleys WA. Mr Pugh brings particular expertise in structuring companies, as well as a wide range of contacts throughout the WA business world. Barry Grosser, general manager, Sonshine FM which has been broadcasting solvently and successfully in Perth for the past 20 years. Greg Bader, chief technology officer at ISP iinet, who are keen to assist community TV to realise the significant advantages of the convergence between television and the internet. Peter Liddicoat, director of visual reality productions which has been making video and TV for clients in Perth since 1990 and an experienced director of live and recorded television. Rex Widerstrom, founder of the first community radio station in New Zealand, went on to manage several community stations and former special projects manager at Access 31. At this stage there is no formal structure to the group though it is in the process of forming, initially, a non-profit association and would eventually form as a company limited by guarantee in order to meet ACMA’s licence criteria. The group has met with many of the people currently producing programs on Access 31 and claim the majority support the concept of the licence being held by a new board, with new management. Amongst the other concerns highlighted by the group is a lack of proper community representation on the board, lack of producer involvement in the management and direction of the station, and the large number of paid staff – far more than any other community TV station – seemingly needed to run the station. “Without wishing to outline a litany of criticism it is almost universally felt that the existing management are out of touch with the aspirations of program makers and the needs of WA’s audience. New ideas, from inside or outside the company, tend to wither for lack of enthusiasm. And of course the financial performance of the board and management speaks for itself,” Mr Widerstrom said. While concerned about the encroachment of digital transmissions on community television’s audience, the group don’t believe it is a critical factor at this point and accepts the Minister’s assurances that community channels will be found a place on the digital spectrum. “While 42 per cent of households might have some form of digital television receiver those with set top boxes can and do switch between analogue and digital channels and will continue to do so at least until the commercial channels go fully digital,” he said. “It is understandable that no one in government would want to be perceived as allowing community television in Perth to fail – particularly after having invested a substantial amount of public money in its survival. At this time we’re not seeking support or any commitment from government. We merely seek that both Premier Carpenter and Senator Conroy stand by their publicly stated intention not to invest further public money in what is clearly a failing enterprise”.

Access 31 may stay afloat after financial lifeline By Andrea Mayes http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23962444-5012990,00.html July 03, 2008 10:38am COMMUNITY television station Access 31 looks set to beat efforts to close it down after securing a lifeline of $500,000 from the private sector. A special member’s meeting last Friday called to decide whether to liquidate the station was adjourned until this afternoon, but Access CEO Andrew Brine told Perth Now things were looking positive for the station. “We already had a commitment of $250,000 from Lotterywest which was contingent on us sourcing another $500,000 from elsewhere, and that is what we’ve done,’’ he said. He said the money had come from the private sector but did not elaborate on who the donors were. The station has been heavily criticised by former members who allege it has been financially mismanaged for years. A statement of solvency filed with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission earlier this month showed it had debts of $721, 857 and just $17,164 cash. The station’s board is due to meet at 1pm today, followed by a member’s meeting at 2pm. Latest Comments: I wonder if there will be an UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT SIGN? According to the sums $750,000 - $721, 857debt and just $17,164 cash = approx $45,000. To last them how long?? It looks like it has been costing Access 31 approx $100,000 per month operationally. $300,000 received in December 2006 State Govt, and Andrew Brine publicly states in April 2007 "Access 31was due to close its doors, if it did not receive $600,000 from the State Govt." Do the Maths! Andrew Brine has already publicly stated on Jun 10 that $5 million was the only option to survival and this was because of the money needed to upgrade the station to digital because 42% audience was lost due to digital??? I wonder if the $500,000 is a loan (what is the interest rate? or a donation?, are Access 31 a registered charity so it is tax deductable?? They got a 3 year loan from a their own director in 2006 of around $65,000 at a high rate. The companies own Directors charge interest to a not - for - profit company???.Why are Access 31 so cagey about the "donors", surely the community would be proud to know who has saved their community station at the 11th Hour, once again. Posted by: Under New Management? of Perth 1:58pm today Looks the private investor just p*ssed his/her money up against the wall, just like the State Government and Lotterywest has over the past few years. These people CANNOT manage, yet people still throw money at them. What's the best PerthNow will be doing another story in a couple of years about Access 31 being in financial strife yet again? Is this organisation not accountable? Doesn't it have to publish annual reports and financial figures and so on? Has PerthNow even thought of using FOI to see where the financial problems may lie? Posted by: Samuel Tyler of West Perth 11:05am today

It still doesn't solve the problem of Access 31 not being able to broadcast digitally on High Definition. When the money runs out, what happens then...????

I didn't write the above comment. Always awesome when a coward hides behind SOMEONE ELSES name!

For the record I wasn't "Dumped and sacked" perhaps you should check your facts before you start attempting to sledge people online. I have never said a bad word against the couch and think it's a great show.