It is where Rove McManus, comedy duo Hamish and Andy and even Waleed Aly got their start.
But that hasn't stopped federal communications minister Mitch Fifield cutting the cord on Melbourne-based community television station Channel 31.
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Careers launched on Channel 31
Responsible for some classic on-air moments and launching the careers of many broadcasters, Melbourne's Channel 31 will close at the end of June.
The broadcaster has confirmed it will cease airing on free-to-air television on June 30, with a letter from Mr Fifield delivering the sad news.
In a public letter to viewers, C31's general manager Matthew Field said the decision was puzzling given his organisation's "financial strength" and its commitment to media diversity.
"In the context of the explosion of shopping and racing channels on free-to-air TV, the instability of Network Ten, and concerns around the lack of diverse Australian voices in mainstream media, it is particularly puzzling that Community TV should be so readily kicked off free-to-air," he said.
Field said he was confident the network would survive thanks to the popularity of YouTube and Facebook Live. In addition, he said the station has started a production services company in order to bring in much-needed income.
"Despite the challenges of the last few years, I'm confident that C31 is evolving into a digital media organisation that will retain the values of access, participation and diversity, and that we can continue to support the next generation of content creators for many years to come," he said.
The announcement comes after the station spent years lobbying the federal government in an attempt to extend it free-to-air licence.
Recently, Channel 31 had been arguing its access to the spectrum should be extended to align with its ACMA-awarded broadcast licence, which is valid until June 2019.
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