2001 in Australian television
Events
- 1 January – Digital Television arrives in the major state capitals of Australia and states in it, with the ABC and SBS permitted to operate multi-channel services.
- 25 January – The Seven Network loses the TV rights to the AFL for the first time, since televised football began in 1957. The rights are won by a Nine Network-Network Ten-Foxtel consortium.
- 1 February – The Network Ten undergoes a major revamp in its production and circle logo and on air graphics as a part of a new network re-launch, with the launch of its motto Seriously Ten, which are both currently in use to the 2012 revamp.
- 5 February – The Weakest Link premieres on the Seven Network, airing twice a week, Mondays and Fridays, however, shortly before the commencement of the AFL season, the latter edition is moved forwards to Thursdays.
- 22 February – The voice actors behind the Funimation dubbed version of Dragon Ball Z Sean Schemmel (Goku, Nails and King Kai) and Christopher Sabat (Piccolo, Vegeta and Yamcha) appear on Cheez TV for an interview on Network Ten.
- 26 March – The $10,000 bank target is achieved for the first time on an episode of The Weakest Link.
- 10 April – CSI: Crime Scene Investigation a sequel to the American mystery fiction television series in the CSI franchise, premieres on the Nine Network and is shown every Tuesday at 8:30 pm.
- 24 April – The Australian version of Big Brother premieres on Network Ten.
- 25 April – Brooke Marshall wins the second season of The Mole, taking home $100,000 in prize money. Michael Laffy is revealed as the Mole, and Hal Pritchard is the runner-up.
- 27 May – Nine previous winners of The Weakest Link appear on the show again for another chance to win up to $100,000. In this episode, the $10,000 bank target is achieved again.
- 2 June – The ABBA Tribute Show goes to air live on the Nine Network.
- 24 June – Australian children's Sunday morning wrapper programme Couch Potato airs its final episode on ABC hosted by Abby Coleman and David Heinrich and finishing up with a rerun of SimsalaGrimm.
- 16 July –
- 31 July – Australian miniseries Blue Murder finally screens in NSW and the ACT for the very first time on the ABC six years after its broadcast in other states and territories due to the life sentence of Neddy Smith.
- 1 August – The ABC launches its very first digital multi-channel service ABC Kids. The channel airs programmes aimed at children and runs from 6:00am to 6:00pm.
- 11 September – Television networks relay coverage from CNN, NBC, ABC America and the BBC for up to 48 hours in the wake of the 11 September attacks. Ten News made the record books as the first Australian Television News Service to ever cover the Coverage on its Late News bulletin with Sandra Sully.
- November – After Prime Television axes Regional television news bulletins in Newcastle, Wollongong and Canberra, and Southern Cross Ten axes regional bulletins in Canberra and North Queensland, the ABA holds an inquiry into the adequacy of regional news services. Bulletins eventually return to those areas in 2004, albeit in the form of two-minute updates during weekdays in the ratings season.
- 1 November – The ABC launches another digital multi-channel service called Fly TV. Airing from 6:00pm to 6:00am, the channel broadcasts music videos, reviews, comedy, drama, news programming, sport programmes, cartoons and current affairs for teenagers and young adults.
- 29 November – After 21 years, Sale of the Century is "rested". It later returns to the Nine Network as Temptation in 2005 and runs until 2007. Also another Nine Network game show Burgo's Catch Phrase has given the axe after 4 years.
- December – The Nine Network will introduce a watermark on its programs. Until now, the Channel Nine watermark will now be broadcast on all news (until 2008 for the major revamp of its news bulletins, but reinstated in late 2009), current affairs and Live programs.
- December – A record $72,900 is won on The Weakest Link's special titled The Best of the Best.
Debuts
Domestic
International
| Program |
Channel |
Debut date |
 Cupid |
Network Ten |
3 January |
 State of the Planet |
ABC TV |
10 January |
| Four Fathers |
ABC TV |
12 January |
| Dad |
ABC TV |
15 January |
| Savage Dragon |
Network Ten |
24 January |
| Passions |
Seven Network |
29 January |
| The Chimp Channel |
Nine Network |
29 January |
| The Hughleys |
Seven Network |
29 January |
| The Big Knights |
ABC TV |
30 January |
| The Wacky World of Tex Avery |
Seven Network |
3 February |
 Soupe Opera |
ABC TV |
4 February |
| Malcolm in the Middle |
Nine Network |
5 February |
| Payne |
Network Ten |
5 February |
| Hero to Zero |
ABC TV |
12 February |
 Shadow Raiders |
ABC TV |
13 February |
| Big Kids |
ABC TV |
14 February |
 Junior |
Seven Network |
17 February |
| // The Baskervilles |
ABC TV |
26 February |
| Angela Anaconda |
ABC TV |
27 February |
| Our Hero |
ABC TV |
2 March |
| Kiss Me Kate |
ABC TV |
9 March |
| Angelmouse |
ABC TV |
12 March |
| Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue |
Seven Network |
24 March |
| Takács Quartet |
SBS TV |
24 March |
| Life Force |
ABC TV |
26 March |
| Love in a Cold Climate |
ABC TV |
1 April |
| Buzz Lightyear of Star Command |
Seven Network |
7 April |
| Spider-Man Unlimited |
Network Ten |
9 April |
| Plonsters |
ABC TV |
9 April |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation |
Nine Network |
10 April |
| Sabrina: The Animated Series |
Seven Network |
28 April |
 / The Saddle Club |
ABC TV |
30 April |
| The Parkers |
Nine Network |
4 May |
| The Sins |
ABC TV |
4 May |
| Ed |
Network Ten |
8 May |
| Sheep in the Big City |
Nine Network |
14 May |
| The Zeta Project |
Nine Network |
16 May |
| Pond Life |
SBS TV |
19 May |
 Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 |
SBS TV |
19 May |
| That's My Bush! |
SBS TV |
19 May |
| X-Men: Evolution |
Nine Network |
25 May |
| Harry and the Wrinklies |
ABC TV |
30 May |
| House of Mouse |
Seven Network |
2 June |
// / Animated Tales of the World |
SBS TV |
2 June |
| Arliss |
Seven Network |
7 June |
| / Action Man (2000) |
Network Ten |
11 June |
| Night Man |
Nine Network |
18 June |
| Burnside |
ABC TV |
22 June |
| Border Cafe |
ABC TV |
30 June |
| Black Cab |
ABC TV |
30 June |
| Jackie Chan Adventures |
Network Ten |
1 July |
| Cubeez |
ABC TV |
2 July |
| My Best Friend is an Alien |
ABC TV |
2 July |
| Titch |
ABC TV |
9 July |
| / Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show! |
SBS TV |
14 July |
| Dark Angel |
Seven Network |
26 July |
| Boston Public |
Seven Network |
30 July |
| Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married |
Nine Network |
30 July |
| Maggie and the Ferocious Beast |
ABC Kids (digital only) |
1 August |
| Rosie and Jim |
ABC Kids (digital only) |
1 August |
| Cardcaptors |
Network Ten |
6 August |
| Preston Pig |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
7 August |
/ The Mystery of Black Rose Castle |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
15 August |
| Stark Raving Mad |
Seven Network |
20 August |
| The Lone Gunmen |
Seven Network |
30 August |
| Rocket Power |
Network Ten |
31 August |
| Sylvanian Families |
Network Ten |
1 September |
| The Street |
Nine Network |
4 September |
| Courage the Cowardly Dog |
Nine Network |
5 September |
| Soldier of Fortune, Inc. |
Seven Network |
6 September |
| Mike, Lu and Og |
Nine Network |
10 September |
| Ethelbert the Tiger |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
24 September |
| Beverly Hills Teens |
Network Ten |
30 September |
| Butt-Ugly Martians |
Network Ten |
1 October |
| Bill and Ben |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
3 October |
| The Ananda Lewis Show |
Nine Network |
8 October |
| / Sali Mali |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
24 October |
| Tiny Planets |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
30 October |
| / John Callahan's Quads! |
SBS TV |
12 November |
| Smart Guy |
Seven Network |
13 November |
| The Kids from Room 402 |
Network Ten |
18 November |
| Beast |
ABC TV |
19 November |
| El Nombre |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
19 November |
| Marion and Geoff |
ABC TV |
19 November |
| / Sitting Ducks |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
19 November |
| In a Land of Plenty |
ABC TV |
19 November |
| What About Joan? |
Network Ten |
2 December |
| Eye Spy |
Seven Network |
3 December |
| Beware: Bad Drivers |
Seven Network |
3 December |
| The Ghost Hunter |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
5 December |
| Albie |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
6 December |
| The Fugitive (2000) |
Nine Network |
6 December |
| / Treasure |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
6 December |
| The Invisible Man (2000) |
Network Ten |
6 December |
/ Custer's Last Stand Up |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
7 December |
| The Oblongs |
Nine Network |
8 December |
| Human Remains |
SBS TV |
15 December |
| Horrible Histories (2001 cartoon) |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
17 December |
| Eckhart |
ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) |
20 December |
| Light Through Ashes |
SBS TV |
30 December |
| Oggy and the Cockroaches |
ABC Kids (digital only) |
2001 |
| Space Goofs |
ABC Kids (digital only) |
2001 |
| What About Mimi? |
Seven Network |
2001 |
| Yoho Ahoy |
ABC Kids (digital only) |
2001 |
| // Weird-Oh's |
Seven Network |
2001 |
| Roger and the Rottentrolls |
ABC Kids (digital only) |
2001 |
| The Zack Files |
ABC Kids (digital only) |
2001 |
| Tom and Vicky |
ABC Kids (digital only) |
2001 |
/ George Shrinks |
ABC Kids (digital only) |
2001 |
Changes to network affiliation
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.
International
Domestic
| Program |
Channel |
Debut date |
| Kate & Julia[1] |
Arena |
8 August |
International
Subscription premieres
This is a list of programs which made their premiere on Australian subscription television that had previously premiered on Australian free-to-air television. Programs may still air on the original free-to-air television network.
Domestic
International
Specials
Television shows
ABC
Seven Network
Nine Network
Network Ten
Ending / Resting this year
See also
References
- ↑ "Funnygirls pairing up". Herald Sun. Melbourne, Australia: News Limited. 8 August 2001. p. H02.
- ↑ Murphy, Kerrie (19 April 2001). "ScreenWatch – Pep talk for kids". The Australian. Sydney, Australia: News Limited. p. M26.
- 1 2 3 Nick Nooze. Nickelodeon (Australia). Autumn. 2001.
- ↑ "What's New On Nick? – April 2001". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2001. Archived from the original on 11 April 2001. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ↑ "What's New On Nick? – August 2001". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2001. Archived from the original on 5 August 2001. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- 1 2 Nick Nooze. Nickelodeon (Australia). October. 2001.
- ↑ "UKTV Highlights". UKTV (Australia and New Zealand). 2001. Archived from the original on 28 April 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ↑ Hughes, Simon (16 January 1995). "A state of being – gag after gag". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 15. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ↑ Englund, Vicki (24 April 2001). "TV Reviews". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane, Australia: News Limited. p. 22.
- 1 2 "UKTV Highlights". UKTV (Australia and New Zealand). 2001. Archived from the original on 16 June 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ↑ Gill, Raymond (31 March 1993). "Ruby is a comic gem". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 2. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ↑ Stewart, Alison (21 December 1992). "THE BRITTAS EMPIRE". The Sydney Morning Herald. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 2. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- 1 2 3 Idato, Michael (17 June 2001). "Briefs". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 3. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
Friends, makes its long overdue cable premiere in Australia on July 3. The cable channel Oh! will also premiere The Drew Carey Show in July and E.R. in August.
Being Eve[5]