Basement to fold at the end of the week.

As predicted here two days ago, Doug Mulray’s on-line internet adventure thebasement.com.au will close on Friday 28th, May. Telstra will continue to use the studios to deliver a range of racing activities – both horse and car. However the live audio/video streaming of entertainment will cease. The company issued the following media release.

Chief Entertainment today announced the closure of its internet-based live music channel, thebasement.com.au to refocus its creative energies on being the leading provider of streaming broadband content for Telstra BigPond.

Chief’s CEO Hamish Cameron said today, “From June 1, we will be at the forefront of cutting edge broadband streaming and BigPond Media content. We’ll be producing the content for a whole range of projects including live coverage of the V8 Supercar Series and AFL games, as well as a series of big events for BigPond Music and Telstra Country Wide.

Launched on 15 November 1999, thebasement.com.au was the brainchild of leading radio broadcaster Doug Mulray. His highly innovative concept featured a 24/7 broadband stream which has broadcast over 15,000 hours of live to air programming with high profile presenters, video clips and live music performances from the cream of local and international artists.

Managing Director of BigPond, Justin Milne said, “Doug’s personality, wit, intellect and inimitable style had been one the greatest factors in its success”.

“BigPond and thebasement.com.au team have gained a vast understanding of broadband technology and built the company into Australia’s leading Internet live streaming operation,” Hamish Cameron said.

“With hundreds of thousands of Australians enjoying broadband high speed Internet and seeking more and better web content, there are many new opportunities to develop cutting edge streaming product. Music will remain a prominent ingredient in the company’s future role in BigPond, however there are new opportunities to grow.” Mr Cameron said.

The live stream will go off-air at 4pm on Friday 28th May. From June 1 thebasement.com.au will continue to feature an archive of encore performances from its extensive library of live music.

NOTE: The closure of thebasement.com.au does not in any way affect the operation of The Basement Nightclub.