Pay tv and radio broadcaster, TARBS (Television and Radio Broadcasting Services Australia Pty Ltd), has been shut down after receivers were brought in by Pan Am Sat as a result of unpaid bills.

The receivers have decided there is no alternative but to sell off the company’s assets. About 200 people are expected to lose their jobs.

Receiver, PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Martin Brown, says they “explored numerous options for keeping TARBS doors open – including seeking equity injections from the directors… [but] a lack of available funds means the only alternative is to close the business… and sell the assets.”

The company launched its ethnic pay radio and tv services at the end of 1998 after it acquired some of Australis Media’s broadcasting assets.

TARBS broadcast 30 multicultural radio channels, 50 multicultural television channels, nine core English channels and an adult channel.