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2002 in Australian television

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List of years in Australian television
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Events

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  • 25 January – Richard Morecroft reads his last ABC News bulletin. He is replaced the following Monday by Tony Eastley.
  • 4 February – Nine cast members from All Saints participate in The Weakest Link: All Saints Special to mark the first and only anniversary of The Weakest Link in Australia. Erik Thomson wins the special, but his winnings are unknown.
  • 11 February – The Nine Network's post-Sale of the Century replacement, Shafted hosted by former Hey Hey It's Saturday member Red Symons premieres. After dismal ratings the show is cancelled in April the same year. On the same day the network's post-Burgo's Catch Phrase replacement Pass the Buck, a new game show based on the UK game show containing a word association premieres leading into Nine's most-watched 6pm news bulletin, After dismal ratings the show is cancelled in May the same year.
  • 20 February – American science fiction fantasy series Star Trek: Enterprise premieres on the Nine Network.
  • 11 March – The Seven Network's Docklands studios in Melbourne open, with the first Seven News Melbourne news bulletin being broadcast from the centre. This leads to a national relaunch of the Seven News brand with new sets and graphics in most cities. Also on that day, the nine remaining contestants from the third season of The Mole take part in a special episode of The Weakest Link for a chance to add $100,000 to the prize kitty. The team performed well against expectations, winning only $14,100, the lowest amount ever won on the Australian version of the show. On The Mole, this figure is rounded up to $15,000. The show was cancelled one month later after dismal ratings.
  • 6 March – Foxtel introduces a new sports channel called Fox Footy Channel. It runs until 1 October 2006.
  • 20 March – Tim Lane resigns from the Nine Network following a disagreement in regards to commentating AFL matches with Eddie McGuire involving the Collingwood Football Club. Lane defects to rival Network Ten in 2003, where he remained until Ten lost the rights at the end of 2011.
  • 28 March – The Nine Network televises its first AFL game until Nine lost the TV rights at the end of 2006.
  • 30 March – The Western Front premieres on Network Ten in Perth and was hosted by Tim Gossage and Lachy Reid.
  • 30 March – Network Ten televises its first AFL game until Ten lost the TV rights at the end of 2011.
  • 8 April – Frasier returns to the Nine Network and the show debuts its 7:00 pm weeknight timeslot.
  • 8 April – Australian media analysis television program Media Watch returns to air on the ABC several months after the broadcaster had removed its former managing director Jonathan Shier with David Marr taking over as host as Paul Barry had been sacked by Shier in 2000 following its cancellation.
  • 24 April – Crystal-Rose Cluff wins the third season of The Mole, taking home $108,000 in prize money. Alaina Taylor is revealed as the Mole, and Marc Jongebloed is the runner-up.
  • 2 May – Final episode of the Australian drama series (which is the very first television series in Australia to be filmed in widescreen) Something in the Air airs on ABC.
  • 16 May – Kath & Kim premieres on the ABC and is a surprise hit. It was picked up by the Seven Network in 2007.

Channels

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New channels

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Defunct channels

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Premieres

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Domestic series

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Program Channel Debut date
The Garden Gurus Nine Network 2 February
Shafted Nine Network 11 February
Pass the Buck Nine Network 11 February
Auction Squad Seven Network 13 February
Australian Survivor Nine Network 13 February
Fear Factor Nine Network 19 February
Saturday Night Footy Network Ten 30 March
Kath & Kim ABC TV 16 May
Old Tom ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 6 June
Young Lions Nine Network 17 July
Celebrity Big Brother Network Ten 21 July
MDA ABC TV 23 July
Test Australia: The National IQ Test Nine Network 6 August
White Collar Blue Network Ten 12 August
Creature Features[3] ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 9 September
CNNNN ABC TV 19 September
Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles! ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 30 September
Don't Blame Me Nine Network 6 October
Fairy Tale Police Department Seven Network 18 October
Mornings with Kerri-Anne Nine Network 28 October
Bad Cop, Bad Cop ABC TV 18 November

International series

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Program Channel Debut date
United States Level 9 Nine Network 4 January
South Africa Yizo Yizo SBS TV 5 January
United Kingdom Two Thousand Acres of Sky Seven Network 6 January
United States The Strip Nine Network 7 January
United States Hitler's Holocaust SBS TV 10 January
United States/United Kingdom Secrets of the Dead SBS TV 13 January
United States The Cindy Margolis Show Nine Network 14 January
United Kingdom Vampires, Pirates and Aliens ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 30 January
New Zealand Atlantis High ABC Kids (digital only) 4 February
United Kingdom Merlin the Magical Puppy ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 4 February
United Kingdom Busy Buses ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 4 February
United Kingdom The Hoobs ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 4 February
United Kingdom Eddy and the Bear ABC Kids (digital only) 4 February
United Kingdom Little Ghosts ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 4 February
United Kingdom The Famous Five (1995) ABC Kids (digital only) 5 February
United Kingdom The Adventures of Dawdle the Donkey ABC Kids (digital only) 9 February
United Kingdom Black Books ABC TV 14 February
United Kingdom The Six Wives of Henry VIII ABC TV 17 February
United Kingdom North Square[4] ABC TV 20 February
United States Star Trek: Enterprise Nine Network 20 February
Japan Digimon Tamers Network Ten 26 February
Canada/United Kingdom Don't Eat the Neighbours ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 7 March
United Kingdom The Kumars at No. 42 ABC TV 21 March
Spain Connie the Cow ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 17 April
Canada/Australia Guinevere Jones Network Ten 4 May
Canada Rescue Heroes Network Ten 6 May
United Kingdom Night and Day ABC TV 7 May
United States The Legend of Tarzan Seven Network 18 May
United Kingdom Angelina Ballerina ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 27 May
United Kingdom Fourways Farm ABC Kids (digital only) 6 June
Wales/United Kingdom Starhill Ponies ABC Kids (digital only) 6 June
Japan/United States Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001) Network Ten 9 June
United Kingdom Sir Gadabout: The Worst Knight in the Land ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 10 June
United Kingdom Molly's Gang ABC Kids (digital only) 10 June
United Kingdom Dog and Duck ABC Kids (digital only) 10 June
United Kingdom Construction Site ABC Kids (digital only) 12 June
United States Teacher's Pet Seven Network 22 June
Canada/United States Queer as Folk SBS TV 1 July
United States Smallville Nine Network 2 July
United Kingdom The Way We Live Now (2001) ABC TV 7 July
United Kingdom The Book Group ABC TV 12 July
Canada/United States Cyberchase ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 15 July
United States SpongeBob SquarePants Network Ten 12 August
Canada Caillou ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 15 August
United States Baby Blues Nine Network 31 August
United States Band of Brothers[5] Nine Network 2 September
Japan Medabots Network Ten 14 September
Canada The Ripping Friends Fly TV (digital only) 14 September
United Kingdom Pongwiffy ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 16 September
Canada Olliver's Adventures ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 16 September
United Kingdom Engie Benjy ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 16 September
Japan Zoids: Chaotic Century Network Ten 17 September
United States Curb Your Enthusiasm[6] Nine Network 23 September
United Kingdom Small Potatoes (1999) ABC TV 3 October
Japan Beyblade Network Ten 14 October
Canada Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series Network Ten 12 October
United States The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius Network Ten 18 October
United States Dr. Phil Nine Network 21 October
United Kingdom/Canada Ace Lightning ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 22 October
United Kingdom Bounty Hamster ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 4 November
United Kingdom Andy Pandy (2002) ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 7 November
United Kingdom Foyle's War ABC TV 8 November
United Kingdom Teletubbies Everywhere ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2 December [7]
United Kingdom Mr. Bean: The Animated Series ABC TV 3 December
United States Archie's Weird Mysteries Seven Network 7 December
France Funny Little Bugs ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 9 December
France/Canada X-DuckX ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 23 December
United Kingdom The Adventures of Mole Seven Network 26 December
United Kingdom The Adventures of Toad Seven Network 27 December
United Kingdom Animal Ark ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom/Canada/United States Anthony Ant ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom/Scotland/Denmark/Canada Upstairs, Downstairs Bears ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
France/Canada/United Kingdom Blazing Dragons ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
New Zealand Buzz and Poppy ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom Oscar Charlie ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom Binka ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom Snailsbury Tales ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United States Oswald ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom/United States Slim Pig ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom The Wheels on the Bus ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom/Canada Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings (2002) ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
Canada/China Henry's World ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom The Fantastic Flying Journey ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom Mopatop's Shop ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
Denmark Skipper & Skeeto ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom Microscopic Milton ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
Germany Letters from Felix ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United Kingdom Coupling ABC TV 2002
United States Scrubs Seven Network 2002
United States 24 Seven Network 2002
United States Sheena Network Ten 2002
United Kingdom The Queen's Nose ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United States/United Kingdom Clifford the Big Red Dog Nine Network 2002
United States/Canada The Dead Zone Nine Network 2002
United Kingdom Footballers' Wives Network Ten 2002
Canada Amazon Nine Network 2002
United Kingdom Dog Eat Dog Seven Network 2002
United States Really Wild Animals ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United States Freakylinks Nine Network 2002
United States/France/Canada Dark Realm Nine Network 2002
United Kingdom Hollywood 7 Seven Network 2002
United Kingdom/Canada The Amazing Adrenalini Brothers ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 2002
United States Hype Nine Network 2002
United States Big Bag ABC Kids (digital only) 2002

Subscription television

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Domestic
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Program Channel Debut date
A Day in the Life[8] Arena 20 February
International
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Program Channel Debut date
Osbournes, TheUnited States The Osbournes[9] MTV 4 April
Japan Shinzo Fox Kids 8 April
Time Squad United States Time Squad[10] Cartoon Network 3 May
Justice League United States Justice League[10] Cartoon Network 8 June
United Kingdom/United States/Canada The Cramp Twins Cartoon Network 1 July
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius United States The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius[11] Nickelodeon 26 July
Zoids: Chaotic Century Japan Zoids: Chaotic Century[12] Cartoon Network 2 September
Japan Beyblade Fox Kids 4 October
Story of Tracy Beaker, The United Kingdom The Story of Tracy Beaker[13] Nickelodeon 18 October
United Kingdom Fun at the Funeral Parlor[14] UKTV 22 October
Anna Nicole Show, The United States The Anna Nicole Show[15] Arena 5 November
United Kingdom Lenny Henry in Pieces[16] UKTV 9 November
Japan Yu-Gi-Oh! Nickelodeon 2002
United States The Fairly OddParents! Nickelodeon 2002
United States Invader Zim Nickelodeon 2002
United States Kim Possible Disney Channel 2002

Specials

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Program Channel Debut date
United States 2002 Country Music Association Awards[16] Main Event 7 November

Free-to-air premieres

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This is a list of programs which made their premiere on Australian free-to-air television that had previously premiered on Australian subscription television. Programs may still air on the original subscription television network.

International

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Program Free-to-air network Subscription network Date
United States The Osbournes[17][18] Network Ten MTV 1 July

Subscription premieres

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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

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Program Subscription network Free-to-air network Date
Li'l Horrors Fox Kids Seven Network 2002

International

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Program Subscription network Free-to-air network Date
Australia/Canada The Saddle Club Fox Kids ABC TV 2002
Saved by the Bell: The College Years United States Saved by the Bell: The College Years[13] Nickelodeon Seven Network 5 October
Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action! United States Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action![13] Nickelodeon [citation needed] 14 October

Changes to network affiliation

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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

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Program New network(s) Previous network(s) Date
Elly & Jools ABC Kids (digital only) Nine Network 23 February
Lizzie's Library ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002

International

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Program New network(s) Previous network(s) Date
Canada The Zack Files ABC TV ABC Kids (digital only) 27 February
Canada/China George Shrinks ABC TV ABC Kids (digital only) 1 April
Japan Sailor Moon Network Ten Seven Network 12 April
United Kingdom Percy the Park Keeper ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) Nine Network 1 August
United Kingdom The Forgotten Toys (TV special) Seven Network ABC TV 21 December
United States The New Adventures of Madeline Seven Network ABC TV 22 December
United Kingdom The First Snow of Winter Seven Network ABC TV 24 December
United States Harry and the Hendersons Network Ten ABC TV 2002
Canada The Kids of Degrassi Street ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
Canada Katie and Orbie ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
United Kingdom/France The Animals of Farthing Wood ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
Canada/France Babar ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
Spain Koki ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
United States Barney & Friends ABC Kids (digital only) Nine Network 2002
United Kingdom Bananaman ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
United Kingdom Byker Grove ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
United States Bump in the Night ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
United Kingdom The Greedysaurus Gang ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
Canada Degrassi Junior High ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
United Kingdom Monty ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002
United Kingdom True Tilda ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2002

Ending / resting this year

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Date Show Channel Debut
11 January Cybergirl Network Ten 21 July 2001
22 April The Weakest Link Seven Network 5 February 2001
2 May Something in the Air ABC TV 17 January 2000
7 July Halifax f.p. Seven Network 9 October 1994
26 July Mixy ABC TV 16 February 1998
29 September All Aussie Adventures Network Ten 5 August 2001
14 November BackBerner ABC TV 19 August 1999
18 December Young Lions Nine Network 17 July 2002

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Coy, Bronte (6 November 2017). "Why Kochie was almost fired from Sunrise". Coffs Coast Advocate. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  2. ^ Peatling, Stephanie (3 December 2002). "The Waley it is ..." The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 May 2007.
  3. ^ Hassall, Greg (9 September 2002). "Review of Creature Features". The Sydney Morning Herald's the Guide: 14–15.
  4. ^ Courtis, Brian (20 February 2002). "Silky briefs and stolen Y-fronts". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 12. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  5. ^ Molitorisz, Sacha (28 August 2002). "The best war series ever made". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 December 2002. Retrieved 28 December 2002.
  6. ^ Schembri, Jim (17 October 2002). "The man behind Seinfeld is back with a new side-splitter". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 20. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  7. ^ "ABC TV Online". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 December 2002. Archived from the original on 1 December 2002. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Day in the life reveals sweet surprises". Herald Sun. Melbourne, Australia: News Limited. 17 February 2002. p. X03.
  9. ^ Adams, Cameron (14 March 2002). "Last Word All the News That Fits". Herald Sun. Melbourne, Australia: News Limited. p. 64. The Osbournes starts on MTV Australia from 4 April at 7pm.
  10. ^ a b "Toon Watch". Toon HQ (1). Cartoon Network (Australia): 6. 2002.
  11. ^ "What's New On Nick? – July / August 2002". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2002. Archived from the original on 4 August 2002. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  12. ^ "Toon Watch". Toon HQ (2). Cartoon Network (Australia): 5. 2002.
  13. ^ a b c "What's New On Nick? – July / August 2002". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2002. Archived from the original on 4 December 2002. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  14. ^ "UKTV Highlights". UKTV (Australia and New Zealand). 2002. Archived from the original on 19 October 2002. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  15. ^ Miller, Kylie (30 October 2003). "NETWORKING". The Age Green Guide. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 12. Retrieved 14 January 2010.
  16. ^ a b "FOXTEL Highlights (General Entertainment)". Foxtel. Archived from the original on 6 November 2002. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  17. ^ Melloy, Neil (22 June 2002). "Ozzy-speak defies bleeper". Courier Mail. Brisbane, Australia: News Limited. p. 18.
  18. ^ Farrer, Gordon (28 June 2002). "Unholy and mundane". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 17. Retrieved 17 December 2009.