1990 in Australian television

Events

• 3 February - Paul Keane was ready to get axed from his long-running role as Des Clarke in Neighbours, but has instead opted to take a four-month hiatus and was expected to return in April. Keane’s break from the show comes as cast morale is at an all-time low following the departure of several key cast members, but producers are confident that Des will return with some good storylines.
• 31 March - Neighbours Producers have chosen to write out the popular character of Sharon Davies, played by 19-year-old Jessica Muschamp said the exit of Neighbours may have been a “blessing in disguise.” She finished her final credits in Neighbours in five weeks and after leaving the series, she went to English pantomime performances over Christmas and was considering mini-series and theatre roles in Australia.
• April - Jennifer Keyte becomes the first solo woman newsreader on a commercial network in Australia when Glenn Taylor leaves the Melbourne beurau of Seven News
• 9 June - Neighbours star Linda Hartley has decided to leave the Neighbours after a behind-the-scenes battle between producers Grundy Television and the Network Ten. Hartley had requested for a hiatus from the series to allow time to travel overseas and to pursue an opportunity for a singing career, but Grundys were not keen to renew her contract, claiming the show had exceeded its casting budget. However, negotiations again broke down and producers has planned to write out Hartley out the series, with her character was killed while duck hunting in September.
• 8 December - Neighbours producers have announced that star Ashley Paske will not renew his contract with the Network Ten series when it expires in January. He is expected to be seen on-air until May.
• 22 December - Neighbours star Richard Norton has been informed by producers that they won’t be renewing his contract when it expires in February.

Premieres

Domestic series

New International Programming

Television shows

ABC TV

• Four Corners (1961–present)
• Rage (1987-beyond)
• G.P. (1989-1996)

Seven Network

• Wheel of Fortune (1981–1996, 1996–2003, 2004-beyond)
• Home and Away (1988–present)
• Family Feud (1988–1996)
• Fast Forward (1989–1994)

Nine Network

• Sale of the Century (1980–2001)
• A Current Affair (1971–1978, 1988–2005, 2006–present)
• Hey Hey It's Saturday (1971–1999)
• The Midday Show (1973–1998)
• 60 Minutes (1979–present)
• The Flying Doctors (1986–1991)
• Australia's Funniest Home Video Show (1990–2000, 2000–2004, 2005–2007)
• Hey Hey It's Saturday (1971 – 1999)
• Sunday (1981 – 2008)
• Today (1982 – present)

Network Ten

• Neighbours (1985 – present)
• The Comedy Company (1988 – 1990)

Ending this year

Returning this year

TV movies

References