Dec 04 2023

Seven wins 2023

  • 4 December 2023

The Seven Network has for the third year in a row claimed the top ratings position, claiming victory for the ratings year for 2023 (OzTAM, 5 cities, 6pm-12mn).

For the weeks 7 to 48 — covering the period from 12 February to 2 December, and excluding the weeks around Easter — the Seven Network claimed 30.0% market share, followed by Nine (29.0%), ABC (16.7%), Ten (15.8%) and SBS (8.5%).

For the primary channels: Seven claimed top spot (21.3%), followed by Nine (20.7%), ABC (12.0%), Ten (10.1%) and SBS (4.4%).

These shares will likely be adjusted as overnight, 7-day and 28-day consolidated figures are calculated and confirmed over the following weeks, but the finishing order is not likely to change a great deal.

Following are highlights from the respective ratings reports from each commercial network:

Seven Network:

#1 in prime time nationally
#1 in prime time across the capital cities
#1 in regional markets in all people, 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s
#1 multichannel group – 7mate, 7two, 7Bravo, 7flix
#1 multichannel – 7two

The #1 program of 2023 was on Seven, with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Semi Final between Australia and England drawing a total TV audience of 7.32 million, making it the most watched TV program since the OzTAM audience measurement system started in 2001.

Seven was home to 12 of the top 20 programs of the year and four of the network’s 7.30pm shows – Dancing With The Stars, SAS Australia, Farmer Wants A Wife and My Kitchen Rules – increased their audiences year-on-year. 7NEWS, Sunrise and The Morning Show remain the most watched news, breakfast and morning shows in Australia, while Home and Away is the #1 local drama series.

Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said: “Once again, Seven has taken the crown as Australia’s most-watched TV network. No matter how you cut it, we are #1, with the news, sport and entertainment Australians want to watch.

“This year was Seven’s second best year ever in ratings history, with our biggest share since 2018. We’ve grown our commercial share and grown audiences across our key tentpole programs. SAS Australia (pictured), My Kitchen Rules, Farmer Wants A Wife and Dancing With The Stars all increased their audiences this year, something no other network can match.

“Seven has once again shown consistent leadership across the year, winning more weeks nationally than any of our competitors and achieving a 40% plus audience share in the capital cities for only the third ever time.

“Our momentum will continue in 2024 with an unbeatable mix of powerful content that unites Australians. From our much-loved sporting content, to our must-see entertainment programing and popular news and current affairs shows, Seven attracts Australia’s biggest viewing audience and is home to the most-watched screens.”

Nine Network:

Nine is home to the biggest shows in Australia

No. 1 reality television series – Married At First Sight
No. 2 reality television series –The Block (pictured)
No. 1 metro light entertainment series – Travel Guides
No. 1 daily current affairs program – A Current Affair
No. 1 weekly commercial free-to-air current affairs program – 60 Minutes

Nine’s highest rating program of the year was the thrilling NRL Premiership decider between the Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos which recorded a Total TV audience of 3.6 million. It secured a streaming audience of 605,000 on 9Now – the largest for a rugby league game in history. This year’s NRL season boasted year-on-year growth of 36.2% in BVOD and 1.7% in Total TV.

Our next three highest rating programs of the year were the 2023 State of Origin Series, which recorded Total TV audiences of 3.4 million (Match 1), 3.2 million (Match 2) and 2.6 million (Match 3). This year’s State of Origin Series enjoyed year-on-year growth of 22.6% in BVOD and 2.8% in Total TV.

The Australian Open Men’s Final was Nine’s fifth highest rating program of the year with a Total TV audience of 2 million.

The Block – Winner Announced is the highest rating non-sports program of the year and recorded a Total TV audience of 2.5 million.

In its incredible 19th series, The Block achieved a Total TV average audience of 1.4 million per episode – an increase of 43% on its overnight audience. An average of 294,000 viewers watched each episode on 9Now.

Married at First Sight achieved a Total TV average audience of 2 million per episode – an increase of 71% on its overnight audience. An average of 669,000 viewers watched each episode on 9Now. This year’s series of MAFS recorded year-on-year growth of 22.3% in BVOD and 1.2% in Total TV.

Lego Masters achieved a Total TV average audience of 1.1 million per episode – an increase of 53% on its overnight audience. An average of 166,000 viewers watched each episode on 9Now.

Travel Guides achieved a Total TV average audience of 1.2 million per episode – an increase of 41% on its overnight audience. An average of 184,000 viewers watched each episode on 9Now. In 2023, Travel Guides achieved year-on-year growth of 31.4% in BVOD and 3.6% in Total TV.

The Summit achieved a Total TV average audience of 766,000 per episode – an increase of 33% on its overnight audience. An average of 147,000 viewers watched each episode on 9Now.

My Mum Your Dad has achieved a Total TV average audience of 610,000 per episode – an increase of 48% on its overnight audience. An average of 157,000 viewers are watching each episode on 9Now.

Love Island Australia is once again a smash hit on 9Now, averaging 293,000 viewers per episode on the BVOD platform.

9News has completely dominated its opposition in the BVOD space, winning every single week of the year. Each night, an average of 47,000 viewers stream 9News via 9Now, compared to 35,000 streaming 7News on 7Plus.

Today has also completely dominated its breakfast opposition in the BVOD space, winning every single week of the year. Each morning, an average of 24,000 viewers stream Today via 9Now, compared to 19,000 streaming Sunrise on 7Plus.

Network Ten:

10 remains Australia’s youngest network in 2023, with an average viewer age up to six years younger than its competitors. Not only is 10 the richest network in key advertising demographics, under 50s, 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s, but 43% of its audience are 25 to 54, compared to 31% for its competitors.

10 knows how to entertain and engage the younger demographics, boasting the most entertainment shows in the top 15 for under 50s, 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s thanks to Thank God You’re Here, Australian Survivor, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Hunted, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia, The Amazing Race Australia, Gogglebox, MasterChef Australia, The Masked Singer Australia, and The Bachelors Australia.

10 is also home to four of the five most popular comedies on Australian television; Have You Been Paying Attention?, Thank God You’re Here, Gogglebox Australia and The Cheap Seats.

No-one captures audiences quite like Have You Been Paying Attention? and Gogglebox, Australia’s #1 and #2 8.30pm shows. 10’s other timeslot winners in younger audiences include Thank God You’re Here, MasterChef Australia, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia, Hunted, The Amazing Race Australia, Dessert Masters and The Cheap Seats.

The CommBank Matildas have celebrated a record-breaking year on screens, including on 10 and 10 Play. After the CommBank Matildas’ FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 campaign, audiences on 10, 10 Bold and 10 Play lifted 294% year-on-year to record highs.

Together, the Subway Socceroos and CommBank Matildas matches have reached 7.52 million Australians in 2023. In 2024, the Subways Socceroos kick start the year with the Asian Cup in January and February, before the CommBank Matildas take on Uzbekistan in the final must-win stage to secure their spot in the 2024 Olympics.

The 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival reached 4.5 million Australians on 10 and 10 Play. The 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup Race stopped a total national audience of 1.68 million in their tracks, up 12% on 2022. The race was 10 Play’s biggest ever live stream audience with 206,000 viewers, up 35% on 2022.

The Formula 1® Rolex® Australian Grand Prix 2023 reached 3.6 million Australians on 10 and 10 Play across the round. The race itself had a national total audience of 732,000 and finished #1 in its timeslot, laps ahead of the competition, with a 45.5% commercial share.

The A-League is setting digital viewing records. Viewing on 10 Play of the Liberty A-League Women is up 169% on the 2021/22 season average to record highs, and the Isuzu UTE A-League Men is up 23% on the 2021/22 season average. The A-League has reached 5.4 million Australians on Network 10 and 10 Play in 2023.

10 Play is achieving its biggest year yet. It is Australia’s fastest growing broadcast video on demand platform, up 25% on 2022, with its members increasing by over 1 million to 7.3 million.

Since the addition of Pluto TV FAST channels on August 31, 10 Play’s daily FAST viewing has increased by 237%. 10 Play’s FAST viewers are younger – 75% are 18 to 54, compared to a 62% average for commercial BVOD.

10 Play reaches over 2.5 million Australians every single month, and monthly reach has grown 20% on 2022. 10 Play is a bigger part of total audiences in 2023, representing up to 25% of total audience for key shows like The Bachelors Australia.

Nickelodeon joined the Network 10 family of free-to-air channels on August 1, and is TV’s fastest growing commercial channel. Since its launch, prime time audience has grown 14% and daytime audience has grown 41%, year-on-year. It is the #1 commercial multi-channel in kids in daytime.

Daniel Monaghan, SVP Content and Programming, Paramount Australia, said: “10’s strength is in our premium entertainment which engages younger audiences. Whether that’s comedy, reality, new concepts, fan favourites or existing shows, we give younger audiences entertainment to escape the everyday. And the results prove it with 10 having more of the top entertainment programs in under 50s, 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s than our competitors.

“10 delivers the LOLs with comedy shows like Thank God You’re Here, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Gogglebox, The Cheap Seats and Taskmaster. We dish up superfans with MasterChef Australia and Australian Survivor. We take families to the jungle with I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! or let them settle into the couch with Gogglebox.

“And we also have the youngest news and current affairs show on TV with The Project (pictured) that will return in 2024 with Sarah Harris, Waleed Aly and Sam Taunton at the helm. Next year, our news audiences will continue to grow with Afternoon and Late-Night national bulletins joining 10 News First and Midday. Our team of award-winning journalists and nationally established presenters, already reach over 6 million Australians every month so we’re excited to build on our news and current affairs content.

Source: Seven West Media, Nine For Brands, Paramount Australia New Zealand, OzTAM

Data © OzTAM Pty Limited 2023. The Data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of OzTAM.

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/12/seven-wins-2023.html

Dec 01 2023

Nine News tribute to Peter Hitchener

  • 1 December 2023

Peter Hitchener‘s last weeknight Nine News bulletin — ending a 25-year run — featured tributes for Nine’s quiet achiever, who this year also celebrated 50 years with the network.

X: 9NewsMelb

Among the tributes presented in Thursday’s bulletin were messages from Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Patti Newton, Peter Smith, former A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw, 3AW presenters Ross Stevenson and Denis Walter and AFL coach Ross Lyon, plus farewell messages from news desk colleagues Tony Jones and Livinia Nixon.


YouTube: Aus TV Fan

Two weeks ago it was announced that from next year, Hitchener moves to reading the weekend bulletins for Nine News, Melbourne. Current weekend newsreader Alicia Loxley and 60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort take up the weeknight newsreading duties.

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/12/nine-news-tribute-to-peter-hitchener.html

Nov 18 2023

Peter Hitchener moving to weekends in Nine News reshuffle

  • 18 November 2023

Changes at Nine News in Melbourne announced Saturday will see longtime newsreader Peter Hitchener moving to weekend news in January.

Taking on the role of weeknight news anchors will be Alicia Loxley, who has been weekend newsreader for the last 12 years, and 60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort.

From a career starting in Brisbane, Hitchener joined TCN9 in Sydney in 1973, then moved to GTV9 in Melbourne. He hosted a game show, Gambit, before starting as newsreader of National Nine News in Melbourne on 1 July 1974.

By 1976 he was reading News Centre Nine in Melbourne in tandem with Brian Henderson in Sydney in a two-city bulletin. When the bulletin ended, Hitchener stayed on as newsreader beside Eric Pearce, who had come out of retirement.

In 1979, Hitchener became the weekend newsreader when Brian Naylor took over as chief newsreader. When Naylor retired in 1998, almost 25 years to this day, Hitchener was returned to the weeknight newsreader role.

Hugh Nailon, news director for Nine in Melbourne, said: “Alicia and Tom will bring a fresh dynamism to Melbourne viewers as they follow in the footsteps of Sir Eric Pearce, Brian Naylor and Peter Hitchener. We have big plans for 2024 and look forward to bringing viewers the most accurate and informative news that they have come to rely on from Nine News.

“We’re delighted that ‘Hitch’ will continue to be a valuable and much loved part of the Nine News Melbourne family. He has an unwavering passion for delivering news to Melbourne and we look forward to the wealth of experience he will continue to bring to our weekend broadcasts.”

Nine News in Melbourne has struggled to stay ahead of Seven News this year in the ratings but has been a consistent second. In the cut-throat world of television news despite Nine’s recent lavish celebration of Hitchener’s 50th anniversary at the network, its framing of this announcement more around the incoming team, with Hitchener’s move barely a footnote, sends a signal that ratings rather than Hitchener’s own intentions may have influenced this move.

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/11/peter-hitchener-moving-to-weekends-in-nine-news-reshuffle.html

Nov 18 2023

Obituary: James Davern

  • 18 November 2023

James Davern, creator and producer of the long-running series A Country Practice, has died at age 90.

Starting his working career in the railways, he went on to become a technician with the Department of Civil Aviation. This led to a technical role with the BBC in London, so when television arrived in Australia he brought his acquired skills to ABC in Melbourne.

By 1962 he became a producer for the magazine program People and the following year produced the documentary Shoreline.

In 1967 he was one of the first directors for the long-running series Bellbird. He continued to be connected with the series in various capacities including script editor. But in an unusual twist, by 1977 he was was part of the ABC management team that ultimately decided to axe the show.

Other credits when at ABC included the Australian Playhouse, This Love Affair, Behind The Legend, Alpha Scorpio, A Taste For Blue Ribbons, Rush, Patrol Boat and telemovies Because He’s My Friend, Shimmering Light, Barnaby And Me and Magee And The Lady.

He also worked for Crawford Productions, writing some scripts for shows like Homicide.

In 1979, two years after the end of Bellbird, Davern entered a scriptwriting competition run by the Ten Network with a proposal titled In General Practice, following Bellbird‘s lead by being set in a country community but with a focus on the local medical practice. His entry ended up coming third in the competition, claiming a $1000 prize, but Ten let the idea go. (The two entries that took out first and second places were never heard from again)

Davern then took his idea to the Seven Network but differing opinions among the member stations almost saw the show binned. A last-minute save by ATN7 boss Ted Thomas led to the show being picked up as A Country Practice, debuting late in 1981. The show went on to a 12-year run, winning 29 Logies and selling overseas. Ironically, it was Ten that then picked up the series after Seven axed it in 1993 and continued it for another year.

James Davern (right) with the cast of A Country Practice

He also produced mini-series Land Of Hope and telemovies Hector’s Bunyip, Queen Of The Road and Whipping Boy.

He was inducted into the TV Week Logie Awards Hall of Fame in 1991, and in 2014 was awarded an Order of Australia medal (OAM) for service to television as a writer, director and producer.

James Davern is survived by his wife of 59 years, Philippa, children Sophie, Anna and Patrick, and grandchildren Bridie, Riley, Frankie and Teddy.

Source: TV Tonight, IMDB, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, The ABV2 Page, The Age. The Canberra Times, 30 October 1979. TV Week, 26 August 1967, 23 March 1991. Super Aussie Soaps, Andrew Mercado.

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/11/obituary-james-davern.html

Nov 14 2023

Studio 10 axed after ten years

  • 14 November 2023

Barely ten days ago, Studio 10 celebrated its tenth anniversary with a star-studded tribute.

Now, Network Ten has announced that the show has been axed, making its last appearance on 22 December.

Created by former Nine Network producer Rob McKnight, the mid-morning show began in 2013 in tandem with another big investment, the breakfast show Wake Up. Wake Up, created by former Sunrise boss Adam Boland, was only on the air for six months.

When it debuted Studio 10 offered a point of difference to its mid-morning rivals on Seven and Nine by presenting a panel of presenters — Jessica Rowe, Ita Buttrose, Sarah Harris, Joe Hildebrand, and a guest fifth host — instead of two hosts, and having a studio audience.

The line-up went through some changes — Rowe and Buttrose left, while others to have occupied hosting roles on the show included Denise Drysdale, Denise Scott and Kerri-Anne Kennerley.

The late Jonathan Coleman presented advertorials, Craig Bennett reported on showbiz, and David Robinson, Scott Tweedie and Daniel Doody were roving reporters.

The show’s ratings started to fall when it lost its main points of difference. The studio audience was gone when the pandemic hit. Financial stress later in the year saw the hosting line-up at Studio 10 reduced to just two — Harris and former Dancing With The Stars judge Tristan MacManus replacing Hildebrand, before Harris herself left last year to join The Project. Angela Bishop and Narelda Jacobs then joined MacManus on the show’s hosting couch.

Ten has issued a statement on the show’s cancellation:

“Network 10 today announced that the last episode of Studio 10 will air on Friday, December 22 after more than a decade on Australian screens.

“Studio 10 has been a great contributor to Network 10’s daytime program lineup. We would like to sincerely thank all those who have participated in and supported the program over the past decade and to the millions of viewers who tuned in over that time.

“It has been a show that has provided copious amounts of feelgood fun, joy, passion, heart, entertainment, and unforgettable moments all against the backdrop of live television.

“Although we are sad to be farewelling the program, the decision to cease production of Studio 10 comes after a change in viewing habits in daytime television.

“In 2024 there will be a new morning lineup with an increased focus on news and current affairs later in the day.

“The hosts of Studio 10 – Angela Bishop, Narelda Jacobs and Tristan MacManus, with special roving reporter Daniel Doody – will remain with the network in different roles and many of the staff will be redeployed.”

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/11/studio-10-axed-after-ten-years.html

Oct 24 2023

Obituary: Les Dayman

  • 24 October 2023

Les Dayman, actor best known for his stage and television work, including leading roles in Homicide and E Street, has died at the age of 85.

His first TV roles were in plays Weather At Pinetop and Dark Corridor, both produced by ABC in Adelaide. This was followed in 1966 by his first major TV role as Detective Bill Hudson in the Melbourne-based drama, Homicide.

Homicide: Les Dayman, George Mallaby, Leonard Teale and (seated) Jack Fegan.

He starred in the series for two years before returning to Adelaide to join the South Australian Theatre Company. He continued to move between Adelaide and the eastern states as theatre and television work allowed while bringing up a family.

Later TV credits included Division 4, The Last Outlaw, I Can Jump Puddles, Cop Shop, Holiday Island, Bellamy, Sara Dane, Special Squad, Rafferty’s Rules, Bodyline, A Country Practice, Willing And Abel and The Last Frontier.

He also had brief ongoing roles in Prisoner and Sons And Daughters.

In 1989 he was one of the original cast of Network Ten‘s E Street, as Sargeant George Sullivan. It was a role he held for the show’s entire four-year run.

He later featured in Water Rats, Stingers, Blue Heelers and All Saints.

Source: IMDB, Nigel Giles. TV Times, 12 February 1972

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/10/obituary-les-dayman.html

Oct 18 2023

Radio network bids for SCA takeover

  • 18 October 2023

ARN Media, owner of radio networks including KIIS, Pure Gold (WSFM, Gold 104.3, Cruise 1323) and CADA, alongside private equity firm Anchorage Capital Partners (ACP), has made a non-binding offer to acquire Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), which it has valued at $330 million.

SCA operates a national radio network, largely comprising the Hit and Triple M brands across capital city and regional markets, and regional TV affiliates across five states, the ACT and Northern Territory.

SCA relays the Ten Network to regional Queensland, Southern NSW and ACT and regional Victoria, and operates the Seven Network affiliates in Tasmania, Darwin and remote/central Australia.

SCA also has half-share of the Ten channels in Tasmania, Darwin and remote/central Australia and has a commercial monopoly of all three commercial networks in Spencer Gulf/Broken Hill.

ARN has also recently bought a 14.7 per cent stake in SCA for $38.3 million and, under this new proposal, SCA shareholders would receive 0.753 ARN shares and 29.6 cents cash per SCA share.

In its announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange, SCA says “The proposal is unsolicited, complex, and highly conditional. SCA recommends shareholders take no action in relation to the Indicative Proposal from ARN and ACP. The Indicative Proposal is subject to the unanimous recommendation of the SCA Board, due diligence, shareholder and regulatory approvals from both the ACCC and ACMA, and other terms and conditions. The Board of SCA will consider the Indicative Proposal and has appointed Grant Samuel as its financial adviser and Corrs Chambers Westgarth as its legal adviser to help assess the Indicative Proposal. SCA will update shareholders as required.”

Should SCA accept the offer, ARN will retain KIIS, Triple M and 88 regional radio stations, while ACP will have independent control of the remaining assets including SCA’s television and digital audio businesses and 35 radio stations.

SCA was formed in 2011 by the amalgamation of the former Austereo radio network and Macquarie Media, which was formed by Macquarie Bank’s purchases of the former Southern Cross Broadcasting, RG Capital and DMG Regional Radioworks media groups.

The Southern Cross entity dates back to the 1980s as the owner of regional stations BCV8 and GLV8 in Victoria and TNT9 in Launceston. It expanded into radio and through regional television aggregation and a series of acquisitions it expanded across all states except Western Australia.

Source: SCA, The Age, Mumbrella, Mumbrella, Wikipedia, ARN Media

 

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/10/radio-network-bids-for-sca-takeover.html

Oct 13 2023

Classic TV Guides: War And Peace

  • 13 October 2023

Tom McDonnell, Eilene Hannan

Prokofiev’s adaptation of Tolstoy’s War And Peace was the first opera to be performed at the Sydney Opera House, fifty years ago.

With a cast led by Tom McDonnell (winner of TV series Showcase in 1965 ahead of a professional opera career including the British production of War And Peace in London in 1972), Eilene Hannan and Ronald Dowd, War And Peace was not only a significant event for the iconic Sydney Opera House but also an international television event.

ABC and BBC joined forces to produce a colour tape recording of the final dress rehearsal on 26 September 1973 — two nights before the show’s first performance. Because Australian television was still broadcasting in black and white, BBC’s involvement included consulting on colour television testing and production.

The recording was then rushed to the United Kingdom for local transmission on BBC2 on 29 September 1973. ABC broadcast the dress rehearsal on 28 September 1973 in New South Wales, the same night as the first night performance, with Victoria following on 13 October 1973.


YouTube: Brian Castles-Onion (2003 digital restoration, Opera Australia)

The Sydney Opera House was officially opened on 20 October 1973.

The Victorian broadcast of War And Peace is among the latest additions to Classic TV Guides:

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/10/classic-tv-guides-war-and-peace.html

Oct 11 2023

Obituary: Cal Wilson

  • 11 October 2023

Comedian, writer, TV host and actor Cal Wilson has died in hospital in Sydney after a short illness. She was 53.

Having established a successful profile in her native New Zealand, she came to Australia in 2003 after winning Best Newcomer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2001. As well as her stand-up comedy she appeared on comedy shows including Spicks And Specks, Thank God You’re Here, Rove Live, The Glass House, Good News Week, Adam Hills In Gordon Street Tonight, Can Of Worms, The Weekly With Charlie Pickering, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Celebrity Letters And Numbers, Would I Lie To You?, The Project and the British series QI.

She was a regular in sketch comedy shows Skithouse and The Wedge, played an acting role in Last Man Standing and was a contestant in Dancing With The Stars and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

She hosted the ABC series Sleuth 101 and this year co-hosted The Great Australian Bake-Off for Foxtel and Who The Bloody Hell Are We? for SBS.

Cal Wilson is survived by her husband Chris and son Digby.

Source: The Age, Token, IMDB

 

 

 

 

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/10/obituary-cal-wilson.html

Sep 23 2023

On This Day — 23 September

  • 23 September 2023

23 September 1989: Georgie Parker (A Country Practice)

23 September 1995: Tempany Deckert (Home And Away)

23 September 1963: Afternoon game shows include The Price Is Right with Horrie Dargie, Video Village with Danny Webb, Say When with Jimmy Hannan and Take The Hint with Frank Wilson.

23 September 1976: The documentary series Australians At War debuts on ATV0, Melbourne. Written by Fred ‘Cul’ Cullen and narrated by actor Tim Elliott, the six-part series had already been renewed for a second series of six episodes in 1977. It went on to be awarded Best Documentary at the 1977 TV Week Logie Awards.

23 September 1990: Network Ten crosses to Sydney Football Stadium for the State Bank Big Game – Winfield Cup Grand Final.

23 September 1993: Seven, Nine and Ten all provide coverage of the announcement in Monte Carlo of the host city of the 2000 Olympic Games. Bidding for the rights are Beijing, Berlin, Istanbul, Manchester and Sydney. Seven’s coverage starts at 10.30pm, Nine’s starts at 7.30pm and Sports Tonight (11pm, Ten) presents a special Olympic announcement edition. With the actual announcement due at 4.20am (AEST), Seven and Nine present a rare joint telecast hosted by Bruce McAvaney and Ray Martin which is also made available to other networks. Seven and Nine continue coverage through to 9am.

23 September 1994: Drama series Banjo Patterson’s Man From Snowy River (Nine) debuts with a two-hour episode, starring Andrew Clarke (pictured), Wendy Hughes, Guy Pearce, Victoria Tennant, John Stanton and Brett Climo.

 

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2023/09/on-this-day-23-september.html