Under the partnership, Hostworks will work behind the scenes to customise digital solutions platform, Media Foundry, to deliver science-based content that will be available via desktops, tablets and smartphones through RiAus TV.

With the TV channel’s official launch today, RiAus will broadcast high quality science content from some of Australia’s major science-based organisations as well as exclusive interviews with leading scientists, including Professor Brian Cox and Professor Ian Chubb, Australia's Chief Scientist.

RiAus Director Dr Paul Willis said today that there is strong demand for high quality Australian science-based content and a need to make science “an integral part of Australian pop culture. The future of our society depends on it – plain and simple”.

“RiAus TV will provide a great opportunity to encourage conversations about science across Australia.

“We are thrilled to have Hostworks a part of this – it couldn’t be in better hands,” Dr Willis said.

Hostworks CEO Will Berryman said Hostworks will provide an entire package of digital support to the channel, including the creation of interfaces, wireframes development, encoding/ decoding and content streaming to urban, remote and rural locations across Australia.

“We now think of Media Foundry as a ‘platform of imagination’. The mission of RiAus leaves boundless ideas and potential to innovate, allowing us to push our platform in ways we wouldn’t otherwise get to do.

“The partnership overcomes the barriers of distance and affordability, without substituting quality or innovation.

“Hostworks is honoured to be part of a project that will offer the power of knowledge to children, students, teachers and parents, and anyone out there who needs to quench their thirst for science.

“With RiAus TV, students will have a direct connection to the great knowledge available here in our own backyard, and access to some of the greatest scientific minds both past and present. It truly is an inspirational project to be a part of.”

The University of Adelaide, Flinders University, University of South Australia, University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and industry organisations including the Defence, Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) have already signed up as partners for RiAus TV.

“Every Australian should have access to the wonders of science, and now through RiAus TV, they can for free,” Dr Willis said.