The arrival of Perth’s third commercial channel came over 20 years after the same occurred in the eastern states capital cities.
During the early decades of television, Perth’s relative isolation to the rest of Australia and, at the time, a smaller population kept the local commercial channels TVW7 and STW9 in a cozy duopoly. But by the mid-1980s Perth’s population had boomed and the launch of Australia’s domestic satellite Aussat brought Perth much closer to the eastern states in terms of technology and program distribution.
Although the granting of the licence was first proposed in 1984, it was a three-year fight to get to air as the owners of TVW7 and STW9 took legal action to try and block the issuing of the new competing licence. The incumbent channels even went as far as to offer to fund an additional channel of their own, thus keeping their duopoly status.
Even once the licence was issued to West Coast Telecasters, the planned channel was then subject to a takeover to accommodate new broadcasting control laws. There was also having to negotiate with regional Golden West Network to have it vacate some nearby Channel 10 transmissions to make the frequency available for use in Perth.
NEW10 finally made it to air on 20 May 1988 at 6.00pm, launching with a half-hour opening special before linking in to the Ten Network to partner in the National Olympathon for the next 24 hours.
YouTube: NEW10Perth
Then, from Sunday night, 22 May, the battle was on: New Australian and overseas shows from the Ten Network, and the transfer of some Ten-aligned titles, such as Good Morning Australia, Neighbours and Young Talent Time, from Seven and Nine. A new soap, Richmond Hill, from the producers of Neighbours, and sketch comedy series The Comedy Company. A brand-new Perth-based Eyewitness News service to rival Seven and Nine’s 6.00pm news, and local shows aimed at housewives, children and teens.
The first week of NEW10’s programs are among the latest additions to Classic TV Guides:
- Sunday 25 December 1960 — MELBOURNE
- Sunday 26 April 1970 — VICTORIA The Queen’s Message To The People Of Australia
- Tuesday 17 August 1976 — MELBOURNE Federal Budget. National Football League
- Friday 4 April 1980 — MELBOURNE Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal
- Monday 12 May 1980 — TASMANIA
- Thursday 13 March 1986 — MELBOURNE Premiere The D-Generation
- Saturday 21 May 1988 — WESTERN AUSTRALIA First week NEW10
- Sunday 22 May 1988 — WESTERN AUSTRALIA First week NEW10
- Monday 23 May 1988 — WESTERN AUSTRALIA First week NEW10
- Tuesday 24 May 1988 — WESTERN AUSTRALIA First week NEW10
- Wednesday 25 May 1988 — WESTERN AUSTRALIA First week NEW10
- Thursday 26 May 1988 — WESTERN AUSTRALIA First week NEW10
- Friday 27 May 1988 — WESTERN AUSTRALIA First week NEW10
Source: Australian Financial Review.Â
