This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2008) |
Industry | Subscription television |
---|---|
Founded | 1993 |
Fate | Bankruptcy |
Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
Galaxy is a former provider of pay television programming in Australia via satellite and wireless cable (microwave) delivery methods.
Galaxy was founded in 1993. Galaxy operated:
A National Centre (purposely built-now Lockheed Martin Australia)
A purpose built Production Studio based in Pyrmont Sydney (subsequently operated by Channel 10).
Installation service Centres located in each state.
Galaxy began test broadcasting on 1 January 1995 via microwave transmission, making it the first provider of pay-TV services in the country.[1] It was officially launched on Australia Day (26 January).[2][3] At launch only two channels were fully operational, the local Premier Sports and international news channel ANBC.[4] Digital satellite broadcasts began in September 1995 with new generation Digital Decoder’s manufactured and imported from the United Kingdom.
Galaxy was a joint venture between Continental Century Pay-TV and Australis Media. Each held licenses allowing them to provide four channels of satellite delivered television
Continental Century Pay-TV and Australis Media held exclusive licenses to broadcast pay-TV in Australia via satellite until 1997. Their main competitors were Foxtel and Optus Vision, both of which operated separate cable networks. The Galaxy channel package was franchised to CETV (Later Austar) and East Coast Television in regional areas.
At its peak, there were around 120,000 Galaxy subscribers. The service ceased shortly after Australis Media went into liquidation on 18 May 1998.