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1993 in Australian television

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List of years in Australian television
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Events

[edit]
  • 4 January – Australian long-running children's series Mr. Squiggle returns to the ABC for a brand new series. The approximate running time is 5 minutes.
  • 11 January – The Australian version of the hit game show series Jeopardy! hosted by ex-Sale of the Century host Tony Barber begins a brief run on Network Ten.
  • 1 February – The Morning Show, rebranding its name to Good Morning Australia (as GMA with Bert Newton) after the original title name for the previous breakfast show started in 1981 ended. The Morning Show was the future title of a morning programme which made its debut 14 years later.
  • 3 February – In Neighbours, this was Toby Mangel, Dorothy Burke and Bouncer's last episode together.
  • 5 February – Australian travel magazine series The Great Outdoors begins on Seven Network.
  • 7 February – The ABC launches its first foray into early-morning news and current affairs with a brand new programme called First Edition presented by Kate Dunstan and Doug Weller.
  • 11 February – In Neighbours, Bouncer returns; Philip Martin has a flashback to Loretta Martin's death.
  • 13 February – Hey Hey It's Saturday and Foreign Correspondent return for another year. At 22, Jo Beth Taylor becomes the youngest television presenter to host a prime-time program as she starts hosting Australia's Funniest Home Video Show for a four-year run.
  • 16 February – ABC transmits a television movie Joh's Jury which follows the perjury trial of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen (portrayed by comedian Gerry Connolly).
  • 1 March – Prime Television broadcasts a brand new 6:00 pm news and current affairs programme called Prime 6 O'Clock News.
  • 3 March – The Birthday Cake Interview takes place. This is seen as a crucial factor in the surprise re-election of the ALP in the federal election.
  • 8 March – ABC begins having a 24-hour transmission for the second time, following the launch of the broadcaster's music block rage in April 1987.
  • 8 March – British long running science fiction series Doctor Who returns to the ABC after a very long absence since its last air in January 1992. Now airing weekday mornings at 4:30 am, the series will start with the first serial of Season 19 Castrovalva and will continue until 3 March 1994 with the fourth and final part of the sixth and final serial of Season 22 Revelation of the Daleks.
  • 15 March – Ten News Perth presenter Rachel McNally quits after a pay dispute and is replaced by Mikayla Turner.
  • 19 March – TV Week Logie Awards hosted by Bert Newton for the 18th time airs on Network Ten. Ray Martin wins the Gold Logie for the first time since 1987.
  • 22 March – Simon Townsend presents a brand new program on ABC called TVTV. Townsend is also joined by James Valentine, Edith Bliss, John Hanrahan, Julia Gardiner and Sueyan Cox and the series will be about television reviews or topics plus a segment called TV News which includes news on television and Townsend interviewing celebrities including a producer or a television star.
  • 29 March – Michael Tunn narrates a series of two half-hour documentary television specials created for The Afternoon Show called Bodybeat which talks about teenagers and body issues. The first part will be about girls and the second part will be about boys. The specials will air on ABC at 5:30 pm and will be shown on The Afternoon Show which Tunn also hosted.
  • 30 March – Mike Willesee comes under scrutiny for interviewing the two children held hostage during the 1993 Cangai siege.
  • 31 March – The long running Australian lifestyle and gardening programme Burke's Backyard begins airing on the BBC in the UK, making it the first time to air the series in that country.
  • 29 April – In Neighbours, Jim Robinson dies from a heart attack. The last ever of the original 1985 cast members, Alan Dale departs the series. Anne Haddy becomes the last original cast member in Neighbours 8-year history. Jim Robinson is the next character to be killed off the show following the past deaths of characters Daphne Clarke (Elaine Smith, 1988), Kerry Bishop (Linda Hartley, 1990), Harold Bishop (Ian Smith, 1991) and Todd Landers (Kristian Schmid, 1992) being terminated and written out.
  • 19 May – In Neighbours, it was Brad Willis and Beth Brennan's non-Wedding.
  • 20 May – In Neighbours, Michael Martin is finally arrested, and is sent to jail. The final episode of E Street airs on Ten.
  • 24 May – Australian teen music game show Vidiot presented by Eden Gaha returns for a brand new series on ABC.
  • 24 May – Australian children's television series Simon Townsend's Wonder World is relaunched on Nine Network with new reporters and having the title shortened to just Wonder World!.
  • 31 May – A new drama series Paradise Beach begins on the Nine Network.
  • 31 May – NSWRL State of Origin. Queensland vs. NSW games were broadcast on Nine Network.
  • 23 June – A brand new Australian factual program Money starts on Nine Network.
  • 27 June – Jo Beth Taylor gets slimmed at the end of the grand final on Australia's Funniest Home Video Show.
  • 27 June – French-American-Canadian animated series Inspector Gadget airs on ABC for the very last time after airing on the public broadcaster for eight years since debuting in 1984. It will return to Australian free for air television on 9 June 1997 with the series airing on Network Ten.
  • 5 July – British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous debuts on ABC.
  • 5 July – American animated series The Ren and Stimpy Show premieres on Network Ten. It was also the very first Nicktoon to air in Australia.
  • 7 July - The Seven Network news program Eleven AM reaches its 4000th edition.
  • 17 July – Australian sitcom Eggshells returns to television with a second season on ABC.
  • 19 July – TVNZ picks up Nine's already new drama series Paradise Beach to air on TV One in New Zealand.
  • 31 July – Nine Network premieres a new children's Saturday morning cartoon wrapper programme called What's Up Doc?. Presented by Danielle Fairclough, the programme features Warner Bros. based cartoons including old classic Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons and television series such as reruns of The Bugs Bunny Show, The Porky Pig Show, the fourth season of Beetlejuice and the Australian premiere of Batman: The Animated Series.
  • 13 August – Jo Bailey quits Sale of the Century. Every week, female celebrities replace Bailey until the end on 1993 when a replacement is yet to be announced.
  • 23 August – Australian news program World Watch begins its first screening on SBS. This series carries news bulletins from countries all around the world and gives viewers the opportunity to see news bulletins in their native language.
  • 30 August – A new late night sports round-up program Sports Tonight premieres on Network Ten.
  • 4 September – ABC airs the final episode of the Australian sitcom Eggshells.
  • 9 September – American sitcom Seinfeld debuts on the Nine Network.[1]
  • 5 September – All Australian television networks retire the 'PGR', and 'AO' classifications and replaces them with 'G', 'PG', 'M15+', 'MA15+', and 'AV15+' ('G' was already in use prior to the change, but would now be seen in its trademark triangle instead of a square/circle).
  • 12 September – The ABC television movie Joh's Jury is broadcast in New Zealand on TV One as part of the channel's movie block Montana Sunday Theatre.
  • 20 September – Australian early morning news program First Edition returns with a revamped format presented by Tony Eastley.
  • 30 October – Australian comedy series The Late Show airs its final episode on ABC.
  • 1 November – Nine Network debuts a new Australian comedy drama series for children called Ship to Shore.
  • 22 November – A Country Practice airs on Seven Network for the last time. It will soon be picked by Network Ten for a brief run in 1994.
  • 25 November – Ray Martin presents his final episode of Midday. He moves on to A Current Affair effective from 1994 and is replaced in the Midday role by Derryn Hinch. As a result, Hinch moves from Melbourne to Sydney.
  • 26 November – Final episode of Australian comedy chat show Tonight Live with Steve Vizard is broadcast on Seven Network.
  • 1 December – The Seven Network wins the ratings year for the fifth consecutive year in primetime, with a 34.9% share for Total People. The most watched program was Seven's AFL: 1993 AFL Grand Final.
  • 7 December – American sitcom Seinfeld switches over to airing on Network Ten following bad ratings on Nine.
  • 13 December - Game Show The Price Is Right (Australian game show) premieres in a new format on the Nine Network with new host Larry Emdur succeeding the late Ian Turpie. The programme debuts in the 7pm timeslot over the summer non-ratings period, and proves successful enough to be given its own 5:30pm timeslot at the commencement of the 1994 ratings year, until 1998.
  • 17 December – Australian children's weekday afternoon magazine series The Afternoon Show airs its final episode at 5:00 pm on ABC with repeats of Widget and The Adventures of Tintin which were both animated series. It was also presented by Michael Tunn who will later host a replacement music show for the axed program titled Loud.
  • Canwest buys Network Ten from Westpac.
  • Neighbours becomes the least watched drama for the fourth year running.

Debuts

[edit]
Program Network Debut date
The Adventures of Blinky Bill ABC TV 1 January
Swordfish Network Ten 3 January
Talk to the Animals Seven Network 31 January
The Great Outdoors Seven Network 5 February
First Edition ABC TV 8 February
Joh's Jury ABC TV 16 February
Newlyweds Seven Network 20 February
Seven Deadly Sins ABC TV 23 February
Prime 6 O'Clock News Prime 1 March
The Extraordinary Seven Network 4 March
TVTV ABC TV 22 March
The AFL Sunday Footy Show Nine Network 28 March
Bodybeat ABC TV 29 March
This Sporting Life ABC TV 19 April
Law of the Land Nine Network 20 April
Full Frontal Seven Network 13 May
Paradise Beach Nine Network 31 May
Our House Nine Network 23 June
Money Nine Network 23 June
The Comedy Sale Seven Network 25 July
What's Up Doc? Nine Network 31 July
At Home Seven Network 2 August
World Watch SBS TV 23 August
Sports Tonight Network Ten 30 August
Snowy Nine Network 8 September
Secrets ABC TV 16 September
Debate! Network Ten 18 September
Totally Wild Weekend Network Ten 18 September
The Feds Nine Network 20 September
Ship to Shore Nine Network 1 November
Mission Top Secret Network Ten 8 November
In Company with Cruickshank ABC TV 9 December
House of Fun Network Ten 19 December
Kideo ABC TV 26 December
The NRL Sunday Footy Show Nine Network 1993

International

[edit]
Program Network Debut date
United Kingdom Die Kinder ABC TV 2 January
Canada The Global Family SBS TV 4 January
Hong Kong Heaven's Retribution SBS TV 4 January
United Kingdom Matters of Taste SBS TV 5 January
Canada Hoover vs. The Kennedys Network Ten 5 January
United Kingdom A Sense of Guilt ABC TV 6 January
Italy Join the Gang SBS TV 9 January
United Kingdom Dodgem ABC TV 11 January
United States Wild and Crazy Kids ABC TV 13 January
United Kingdom Troublemakers ABC TV 19 January
United States/United Kingdom/Wales Fantastic Max ABC TV 25 January
United States City Nine Network 27 January
United Kingdom Sweet Seventeen ABC TV 27 January
United States Disney Adventures Seven Network 1 February
United States The Golden Palace Seven Network 6 February
United Kingdom/United States Captain Zed and the Zee Zone Network Ten 7 February
United States 2000 Malibu Road Network Ten 8 February
United States Billy Nine Network 9 February
United Kingdom Spider! ABC TV 11 February
United States Melrose Place Network Ten 12 February
United Kingdom/United States Diana: Her True Story Network Ten 21 February
United Kingdom Greek Fire SBS TV 23 February
United States Capital News Nine Network 23 February
United Kingdom Mathematical Eye ABC TV 24 February
United Kingdom Bump ABC TV 1 March
United Kingdom Terry and Julian ABC TV 8 March
United States The Jacksons: An American Dream Network Ten 15 March
United Kingdom Redemption Song SBS TV 15 March
United Kingdom The Borrowers ABC TV 20 March
Denmark Hotel Amore SBS TV 22 March
United States The Mechanical Universe ABC TV 29 March
United Kingdom Pole to Pole ABC TV 4 April
France/Canada The Adventures of Tintin ABC TV 5 April
United Kingdom Toucan Tecs ABC TV 12 April
United States Dark Justice Seven Network 13 April
United States Palace Guard Nine Network 15 April
Canada Degrassi Talks ABC TV 19 April
Canada The Girl from Mars ABC TV 19 April
United States Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Nine Network 22 April
United Kingdom The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends ABC TV 1 May
United States P.S. I Luv U Nine Network 8 May
United Kingdom The Old Devils ABC TV 9 May
United States Parenthood Network Ten 10 May
United States Back to the Future: The Animated Series Network Ten 13 May
United Kingdom Mr. Bean in Room 426 ABC TV 14 May
United Kingdom Mind the Baby, Mr. Bean ABC TV 21 May
Canada School's Out ABC TV 21 May
United Kingdom Time Riders ABC TV 22 May
United Kingdom Noddy's Toyland Adventures ABC TV 26 May
United Kingdom Children of the North ABC TV 30 May
United States Freshman Dorm Seven Network 31 May
United States Cartoons for Big Kids ABC TV 9 June
United States Picket Fences Network Ten 10 June
United Kingdom Heartbeat ABC TV 13 June
United Kingdom Oh, Mr. Toad ABC TV 14 June
United States Hearts Are Wild Seven Network 17 June
United States Code 3 (1992) Network Ten 23 June
United Kingdom Clarissa ABC TV 27 June
United States Love & War Nine Network 28 June
United Kingdom Absolutely Fabulous ABC TV 5 July
United States The Ren and Stimpy Show Network Ten 5 July
United States Cutters Seven Network 5 July
United States/Canada Fievel's American Tails Network Ten 6 July
United Kingdom Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean ABC TV 9 July
United States Teech Nine Network 11 July
United Kingdom The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna Seven Network 15 July
United Kingdom 2 point 4 Children ABC TV 16 July
United Kingdom The Face of Tutankhamun ABC TV 18 July
United States Civil Wars Network Ten 20 July
United States Capitol Critters Network Ten 23 July
United Kingdom Witchcraft ABC TV 25 July
United States Law & Order Network Ten 27 July
United States Batman: The Animated Series Nine Network 31 July
United States The Edge Nine Network 2 August
United Kingdom The Essential History of Europe SBS TV 3 August
United States/Canada Sirens Nine Network 3 August
Wales Joshua Jones ABC TV 4 August
Canada Mission Reading ABC TV 9 August
United Kingdom KYTV SBS TV 10 August
United States The New Untouchables Seven Network 10 August
United Kingdom/Australia Stark ABC TV 11 August
United States Delta Network Ten 14 August
United States FBI: The Untold Stories Network Ten 18 August
Canada The Boys of St. Vincent Network Ten 22 August
United Kingdom Lipstick on Your Collar ABC TV 22 August
United Kingdom/Canada Rupert ABC TV 23 August
United Kingdom The Piglet Files Seven Network 24 August
United States Transformers: Generation 2 Network Ten 25 August
United Kingdom Roots Schmoots: A Journey by Howard Jacobson SBS TV 29 August
United Kingdom Far Flung Floyd SBS TV 3 September
United States Taz-Mania Nine Network 4 September
United States Woops! Seven Network 6 September
United States Seinfeld[2] Nine Network 9 September
United Kingdom Freddie and Max ABC TV 8 September
United Kingdom One Foot in the Grave ABC TV 11 September
United States Dancing ABC TV 12 September
United States The Baby-Sitters Club ABC TV 13 September
United Kingdom A Year in Provence ABC TV 13 September
United States Room for Two Nine Network 16 September
United Kingdom Bad Boyes ABC TV 27 September
France/Canada/United States Madeline (TV specials) ABC TV 28 September
United States Hearts Afire Network Ten 30 September
United Kingdom Celts SBS TV 3 October
United Kingdom Look At It This Way ABC TV 3 October
United States/Japan The Adventures of T-Rex Network Ten 4 October
United States Lamb Chop's Play Along Seven Network 4 October
United States X-Men Network Ten 5 October
United States Drexell's Class Network Ten 5 October
United States Nonsense and Lullabyes ABC TV 6 October
United Kingdom Truckers ABC TV 6 October
United Kingdom Brum ABC TV 6 October
United States The Marzipan Pig ABC TV 8 October
United States Ghostwriter ABC TV 10 October
United States American Dreamer Seven Network 11 October
United States Eerie, Indiana Seven Network 19 October
United Kingdom Streetwise ABC TV 20 October
United Kingdom Framed ABC TV 22 October
United States/France Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars Network Ten 22 October
United Kingdom Tell Tale Hearts ABC TV 24 October
Wales Pirates SBS TV 26 October
India The Darkness SBS TV 27 October
United Kingdom The Gravy Train ABC TV 31 October
Germany Fast Gerdi SBS TV 2 November
United Kingdom The Law Lord ABC TV 6 November
United States Roc Nine Network 17 November
United Kingdom G.B.H. ABC TV 23 November
United Kingdom The Gravy Train Goes East ABC TV 28 November
United States Blossom Seven Network 29 November
United States Reasonable Doubts Seven Network 30 November
United States South Beach Network Ten 1 December
United States/Canada Dog City Network Ten 1 December
United Kingdom Boys from the Bush Seven Network 2 December
United States Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Seven Network 2 December
United Kingdom Casualty Network Ten 4 December
United Kingdom Men Behaving Badly ABC TV 6 December
United Kingdom Maigret Seven Network 6 December
United States Top of the Heap Nine Network 13 December
United States Vinnie and Bobby Nine Network 22 December
United States Silk Stalkings Nine Network 23 December
United Kingdom Postman Pat Takes the Bus ABC TV 23 December
United States A Flintstone Family Christmas Seven Network 24 December
United Kingdom Postman Pat and the Toy Soldiers ABC TV 24 December
United Kingdom On Christmas Eve ABC TV 25 December
United States Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too Seven Network 25 December
United Kingdom Old Bear Stories (Jolly Snow/Dolls House Christmas) ABC TV 25 December
United Kingdom/Wales Santa's First Christmas ABC TV 25 December
United Kingdom Root Into Europe ABC TV 26 December
United Kingdom/Russia/Wales Shakespeare: The Animated Tales SBS TV 27 December
United States Space Rangers Nine Network 28 December
United Kingdom Madness ABC TV 30 December
United States Goof Troop Seven Network 1993
United States Disney's The Little Mermaid Seven Network 1993
United States The New Lassie Network Ten 1993
United States Casper and Friends Network Ten 1993

Changes to network affiliation

[edit]

This is a list of programs which made their premiere on an Australian television network that had previously premiered on another Australian television network. The networks involved in the switch of allegiances are predominantly both free-to-air networks or both subscription television networks. Programs that have their free-to-air/subscription television premiere, after previously premiering on the opposite platform (free-to air to subscription/subscription to free-to air) are not included. In some cases, programs may still air on the original television network. This occurs predominantly with programs shared between subscription television networks.

Domestic

[edit]
Program New network(s) Previous network(s) Date
Round the Twist ABC TV Seven Network 20 March

International

[edit]
Program New network(s) Previous network(s) Date
United Kingdom It Ain't Half Hot Mum Network Ten ABC TV
Seven Network
22 July
United States Dungeons & Dragons Network Ten Seven Network 29 November
United States Seinfeld[3] Network Ten Nine Network 7 December

Television shows

[edit]

ABC

Seven Network

Nine Network

Network Ten

Ending this year

[edit]
Date Show Channel Debut
16 January Bingles Channel Ten 1992
26 February Big Square Eye ABC 1991
25 March Seven Deadly Sins ABC 23 February 1993
5 April Bodybeat ABC 29 March 1993
20 May E Street Channel Ten 1989
3 June Phoenix ABC 1992
10 July Kids' Stuff Network Ten 1991
12 August Stark ABC 11 August 1993
4 September Eggshells ABC 1991
14 September All Together Now Channel Nine 1991
30 October The Late Show ABC 1992
11 November Snowy Channel Nine 8 September 1993
22 November A Country Practice Seven Network 1981
26 November Tonight Live with Steve Vizard Channel Seven 1990
17 December The Afternoon Show ABC 1987

Returning this year

[edit]
Date Show Channel Debut
24 May Simon Townsend's Wonder World Nine Network 1979
13 December The Price Is Right Nine Network 1981

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hawker, Philippa (9 September 1993). "Three cheers for two new Cheers". The Age. p. 19.
  2. ^ Hawker, Philippa (8 September 1993). "Three cheers for two new 'Cheers'". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. p. 19. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  3. ^ Dempsey, Shelley (22 November 1993). "ANTENNAE". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 2. Retrieved 13 January 2010.