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2018 in Australian television

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This is a list of Australian television-related events, debuts, finales, and cancellations that are scheduled to occur in 2018, the 63rd year of continuous operation of television in Australia.

List of years in Australian television
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Events

[edit]

January

[edit]
Date Event Source
1 The ABC's coverage of the annual midnight Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks is watched by 1.49 million viewers [1]
Gerard Whateley announced he is leaving the ABC after a 17-year career, including as host of Offsiders, moving to radio station 1116 SEN. [2]
7 SBS airs a three-hour commercial and commentary-free program The Ghan which follows The Ghan train from Adelaide to Darwin in the first locally produced slow television event series. It becomes the channel's highest rated broadcast in 12 months with 583,000 national viewers. Sister channel SBS Viceland runs a 17-hour extended version the following weekend lasting from 2:40am to 8:30pm. [3]
8 Following accusations around inappropriate conduct of actor Craig McLachlan in a stage show, the ABC removes all episodes of The Doctor Blake Mysteries, which McLachlan starred in, from its channels and ABC iview. Producers of the series December Media also announce they are temporarily suspending production of a future season for the Seven Network. [4]
17 Seven Network soap opera Home and Away marks 30 years since its debut on 17 January 1988. The program, which is the second longest-running Australian drama, begins its 31st season on 29 January. [5]
22 Georgie Gardner debuts as co-host of Today following the exit of Lisa Wilkinson in October 2017 [6]
31 World Movies, an original launch channel on Foxtel in 1995, closes as a linear channel, continuing on only as an on demand offering and a branded segment on other movie channels. [7][8]

February

[edit]
Date Event Source
9 The ABC holds its first Annual Public Meeting, which involves the ABC Board taking publicly submitted questions. [9]
9–25 The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea aired on the channels of the Seven Network [10][11]
11 The official 2018 OzTam television ratings period begins [12]
28 Eurosport News, FX Australia and Nat Geo People cease broadcasting on all Australian platforms [13]

March

[edit]
Date Event Source
1 Discovery Channel and TLC become available on Fetch TV [14]
9 Bill McDonald is removed as co-anchor of Seven News Brisbane. [15]
12 Fiona O'Loughlin wins the fourth season of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! [16]
14–20 Seven News Melbourne presenter Peter Mitchell is slammed by the Supreme Court of Victoria for blatantly using inappropriate wording to describe the ongoing murder trial of Peter Dupas on the bulletin that aired on 14 March 2018. [17][18]
22 Claudia Anton wins the fourth season of The Great Australian Bake Off [19]
25 A two-week suspension in OzTam television ratings begins for the Easter break. [12]
Network Ten and its primary channel record their lowest ever weekly share for the 18–25 March 2018 week since OzTAM ratings began in 2001. [20]
29 The Nine Network secures the rights to televise the Australian Open tennis tournament from 2020–24. However, three months later, the deal is brought forward by twelve months. [21]

April

[edit]
Date Event Source
2 "X Games Sydney" win the inaugural season of Australian Spartan [22]
4–15 The 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Queensland will air on the channels of the Seven Network [23]
8 Official OzTam ratings resume after a two-week non-ratings period over Easter. [12]

May

[edit]
Date Event Source
6 Alex and Emily win the ninth season of My Kitchen Rules [24]

June

[edit]
Date Event Source
18 Sam Perry wins the seventh season of The Voice [25]
25 The Nine Network secures the rights to televise the Australian Open tennis tournament from 2019 onwards, twelve months earlier than planned. [26]
29 Better Homes and Gardens airs its 1,000th episode [27]

July

[edit]
Date Event Source
1 The 60th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were held at The Star Gold Coast. As well as being staged in Queensland for the first time, the event introduced a number of changes including live re-voting, reducing the number of award categories, renaming of publicly voted categories and eligibility changes. The ceremony was held much later in the year than previous ceremonies to avoid clashing with the 2018 Commonwealth Games also being held on the Gold Coast. [28]
30 Toad and Mandy win the sixth season of House Rules [29]
31 Sashi Cheliah wins the tenth season of MasterChef Australia [30]

September

[edit]
Date Event Source
24 The ABC Board sacks managing director Michelle Guthrie halfway through her five year contract. [31]
27 Chairman of the ABC Justin Milne resigns after claims emerge about political interference at the ABC and the surprise sacking of Michelle Guthrie days earlier. [32]

October

[edit]
Date Event Source
4 For the first time in the Australian version of The Bachelor, Nick Cummins fails to choose a winner in the finale of the sixth season. [33]
9 Shane Gould wins Australian Survivor: Champions vs. Contenders, the fifth season of Australian Survivor [34]
11 Major glitches ruins what was to be Ian Henderson's final ABC News Victoria bulletin, with the New South Wales bulletin instead broadcast. He eventually presents his final bulletin the following evening, with Tamara Oudyn named as his replacement. [35][36]
28 Hayden and Sara win the fourteenth season of The Block [37]
31 Network Ten launches a major network branding, including introducing a new logo for the first time since 1991. Channel Ten becomes Channel 10, while multichannels ONE and ELEVEN are rebranded as 10 Boss (later renamed to 10 Bold) and 10 Peach respectively. [38]

November

[edit]
Date Event Source
2 Sky News Live sacks Ross Cameron after making racist comments as co-host of Outsiders, becoming the second original co-host to be fired due to controversial comments made on the program after Mark Latham in 2017. [39]
15 Ali Oetjen chooses Taite Radley in the finale of season four of The Bachelorette. [40]
25 Lai Utovou wins the inaugural season of All Together Now. [41]

December

[edit]
Date Event Source
1 The last day of the official 2018 OzTam television ratings period. [12]
18 Weekend Today Co-Host Peter Stefanovic announces he's leaving the Nine Network after 15 Years. [1]

Television channels

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New channels

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Renamed channels

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  • 31 October - Eleven to 10 Peach, One to 10 Boss
  • 17 November - Food Network to SBS Food
  • 10 December - 10 Boss to 10 Bold

Channel closures

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Premieres

[edit]

Television programs which debut for the first time on Australian television.

Domestic series

[edit]
List of domestic television series premieres
Program Original airdate Channel Source
Romper Stomper 1 January 2018 (2018-01-01) Stan [46]
Hughesy, We Have a Problem 30 January 2018 (2018-01-30) Network Ten [47]
Grace Beside Me 16 February 2018 (2018-02-16) NITV [48]
Australian Spartan 25 February 2018 (2018-02-25) Seven Network [49][50]
Bachelor in Paradise Australia 25 March 2018 (2018-03-25) Network Ten [51]
Picnic at Hanging Rock 6 May 2018 (2018-05-06) showcase [52]
Love Island Australia 27 May 2018 (2018-05-27) 9Go! [53]
Bite Club 15 August 2018 (2018-08-15) Nine Network [54]
Bluey 1 October 2018 ABC Kids (Australia) Disney Junior (Internacional)
Paramedics 4 October 2018 (2018-10-04) Nine Network [55]

International series

[edit]
List of international television series premieres
Program Original airdate Channel Country of origin Source
S.W.A.T. 14 January 2018 (2018-01-14) FOX8 United States [56]
SEAL Team 28 January 2018 (2018-01-28) Network Ten United States [57]
Hard Sun 7 February 2018 (2018-02-07) Seven Network United Kingdom [58][59]
Celebrity Big Brother 11 February 2018 (2018-02-11) 9Go! United States [60]
Blue Planet II 17 February 2018 (2018-02-17) Nine Network United Kingdom [61]
Corporate 22 February 2018 (2018-02-22) The Comedy Channel United States [62]
The Resident 26 February 2018 (2018-02-26) Seven Network United States [63][64]
Wellington Paranormal 31 July 2018 (2018-07-31) SBS Viceland New Zealand [65]

Programming changes

[edit]

Changes to channel affiliation

[edit]

Criterion for inclusion in the following list is that Australian premiere episodes will air in Australia for the first time on a new channel. This includes when a program is moved from a free-to-air channel's primary channel to a digital multi-channel, as well as when a program moves between subscription television channels – provided the preceding criterion is met. Ended television series which change networks for repeat broadcasts are not included in the list.

List of domestic television series which changed channel affiliation
Program Date New channel Previous channel Source
List of international television programs which changed channel affiliation
Program Date New channel Previous channel Country of origin Source
The Simpsons 28 February 2018 (2018-02-28) 7mate Eleven United States [66]

Free-to-air premieres

[edit]

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.

List of international television programs which premiered on free-to-air television for the first time
Program Date Free-to-air channel Subscription channel Country of origin Source

Subscription premieres

[edit]

This is a list of programs which made their debut on Australian subscription television, having previously premiered on Australian free-to-air television. Programs may still air (first or repeat) on the original free-to-air television channel.

List of domestic television programs which premiered on subscription television for the first time
Program Date Free-to-air channel Subscription network(s) Source

Returning programs

[edit]

Australian produced programs which are returning with a new season after being absent from television in the previous calendar year.

List of returning domestic television series
Program Return date Channel Original run Source
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation 21 May 2018 (2018-05-21) Nine Network 2009-2012 (Ten) [67]
Sports Tonight 15 July 2018 (2018-07-15) Network Ten 1993-2011 [68]
All Aussie Adventures 5 August 2018 (2018-08-05) Network Ten 2001-2004 [69]
Blind Date 15 October 2018 (2018-10-15) Network Ten 1991 [70]

Endings

[edit]
List of domestic television series endings
Program End date Network Start date Source
Blind Date 19 December Network 10 15 October [71]
The Checkout 17 April ABC 21 March 2013 [72]
Game of Games 15 December Network 10 7 October [71]
ScreenPLAY 27 April 7mate 29 June 2017 [73]
Shark Tank 7 August Network Ten 8 February 2015 [74]

Deaths

[edit]
Date Name Age Broadcast credibility References
16 January Moya O'Sullivan aged 91 Actress known for Number 96 as Pyillis Pratt and Neighbours as Marlene Kratz [75]
17 January Jessica Falkholt aged 29 Actress in the television series Home and Away as Hope Morrison. [76]
4 May Cathy Godbold aged 33 Actress best known as role in Home and Away as Meg Bowman [77]
28 May Cornelia Frances (OAM) aged 77 Actress starred in The Young Doctors, Sons and Daughters, Home and Away and hosted The Weakest Link [78]
9 July Sam Chisholm (AO) aged 78 New Zealand born Australian media executive, known for the Nine Network [79]
1 December Judy McBurney aged 70 Actress best known for her roles in The Young Doctors as Tania Livingstone and in cult series Prisoneras Sandra "Pixie" Mason. [80]
26 December Penny Cook aged 61 Australian actress best known for the serial A Country Practice as Vicki Dean Bowen, E Street as Dr. Elly Fielding, and Neighbours as Prue Brown and presenter of The Great Outdoors [81]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Knox, David (2 January 2018). "Oops, one random slip but ABC concert hits NYE sweet spot". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  2. ^ Waterworth, Ben (11 January 2018). "Gerard Whateley joins SEN radio, leaves ABC to take on morning program and chief caller roles". Fox Sports News. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  3. ^ Samios, Zoe (11 January 2018). "SBS Viceland to run 17 hour un-cut version of The Ghan this weekend". Mumbrella. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  4. ^ Knowles, Lorna (8 January 2018). "Craig McLachlan: Doctor Blake makers put production on hold pending police investigation". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  5. ^ Knox, David (17 January 2018). "Home and Away turns 30!". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  6. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (23 January 2018). "Georgie Gardner's first outing on Today pulls 256,000 metro viewers". Mumbrella. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  7. ^ "World Movies Celebrates: 20 Years with Rachel Griffiths". SBS. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  8. ^ a b "SBS World Movies switches to Foxtel on Demand". Mumbrella. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  9. ^ Knox, David (9 February 2018). "ABC board faces public meeting, Q&A style". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  10. ^ Idato, Michael (5 August 2014). "Seven Network nets Olympic Games hat-trick with broadcast rights to 2020". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  11. ^ Lehmann, John (8 July 2014). "Seven Network reclaims rights to broadcast Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  12. ^ a b c d "OzTam Survey Calendar 2018" (PDF). OzTam (PDF). Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Changes to FX, Nat Geo People and Eurosportnews". Foxtel. 8 February 2018. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Fetch TV partners with Discovery Networks for two channels". Mediaweek. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  15. ^ Knox, David (9 March 2018). "Bill McDonald to exit Seven News". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Year's first major reality winner: Fiona O'Loughlin named TEN's queen of the jungle". Mediaweek. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  17. ^ Knox, David (20 March 2018). "Peter Mitchell apologises to court after "off script" comments". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  18. ^ Murphy, Lana (20 March 2018). "Channel 7 anchor slammed by judge for on-air blunder". Nine News. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  19. ^ Knox, David (23 March 2018). "Claudia wins The Great Australian Bake Off 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  20. ^ Knox, David (26 March 2018). "AFL helps Seven snatch win, TEN's toughest week". TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  21. ^ Otto, Tyson (29 March 2018). "Channel 9 in $60 million, Australian Open bombshell". news.com.au. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  22. ^ Knox, David (3 April 2018). "Sydney trio wins Australian Spartan". TV Tonight. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  23. ^ Ward, Miranda (20 August 2014). "Seven Network secure rights to Gold Coast Commonwealth Games". Mumbrella. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  24. ^ Bucklow, Andrew (7 May 2018). "My Kitchen Rules winner Alex Clark spills behind the scenes secrets". News Corp Australia. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  25. ^ Chandra, Jessica (18 June 2018). "Sam Perry is the winner of 'The Voice Australia' 2018". Nine Celebrity.
  26. ^ Knox, David (25 June 2018). "Nine secures Australian Open for 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  27. ^ Knox, David (26 June 2018). "Better Homes and Gardens reaches 1000 episodes". TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  28. ^ "Logies shock! Date announced, eligibility changes categories slashed". Mediaweek. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  29. ^ Vnuk, Helen (30 July 2018). "Toad and Mandy crowned winners of House Rules 2018". Now To Love.
  30. ^ "Highest score ever: Sashi Cheliah crowned 2018 MasterChef winner". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  31. ^ Smith, Rohan (24 September 2018). "ABC sacks Michelle Guthrie, but chairman refuses to front 730 interview". News Corp Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  32. ^ "Justin Milne resigns as ABC chairman amid growing fallout over Michelle Guthrie's sacking". ABC News. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  33. ^ Chandra, Jessica (4 October 2018). "'The Bachelor Australia' finale: Nick Cummins makes history by picking no one". Nine Honey. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  34. ^ Bond, Nick (10 October 2018). "Why Survivor winner Shane Gould didn't want to go on the show". News Corp Australia.
  35. ^ "Ian Henderson tried to leave the ABC — but the studio refused to let him go". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 11 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  36. ^ Tran, Danny (12 October 2018). "Ian Henderson's farewell goes off without a glitch after studio crash delays retirement". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  37. ^ Khail, Shireen (29 October 2018). "The Block 2018 auction: Hayden and Sara win this year's series in a nailbiting auction". News Corp Australia.
  38. ^ Samios, Zoe (31 October 2018). "Ten reveals first major rebrand in 27 years: Peach, Boss and 10 News First". Mumbrella. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  39. ^ Loomes, Phoebe (2 November 2018). "Sky News commentator sacked over on-air racism". news.com.au. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  40. ^ Chandra, Jessica (16 November 2018). "'The Bachelorette Australia': Why we should have known Ali would pick Taite over Todd". Nine Honey. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  41. ^ Knox, David (26 November 2018). "Lai Utovou wins All Together Now". TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  42. ^ "Australian News Channel and WIN Network sign 'historic' content agreement". Sky News Australia. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  43. ^ Cronin, Seanna (4 August 2018). "Foxtel to launch 24 hour news on WIN". The Cairns Post. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  44. ^ Knox, David (25 June 2018). "Nine & SKY News to launch Your Money channel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  45. ^ Knox, David (26 October 2018). "Seven serves up 7Food channel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  46. ^ "The Romper Stomper Trailer Has Dropped and Hoo Boy, It Looks Intense". Popsugar. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  47. ^ Knox, David (19 January 2018). "Airdate: Hughesy, We Have A Problem". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  48. ^ Knox, David (29 January 2018). "Airdate: Grace Beside Me". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  49. ^ "Seven Unveils Hosts For 2018's Australian Spartan". B&T. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  50. ^ Knox, David (19 February 2018). "Airdate: Australian Spartan". Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  51. ^ Knox, David (10 March 2018). "Bachelor in Paradise to launch in non-ratings week". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  52. ^ Clarke, Stewart (7 December 2017). "Picnic at Hanging Rock for 2018 TV debut". The West Australian. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  53. ^ "Sophie Monk confirmed for Love Island". TV Tonight.
  54. ^ Knox, David (11 October 2017). "Nine 2018 Upfronts: Renewals underpin new slate". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  55. ^ Knox, David (3 February 2018). "Paramedics new factual for Nine". TV Tonight.
  56. ^ Cronin, Seanna (11 January 2018). "Alex Russell answers S.W.A.T.'s call to action". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  57. ^ Knox, David (20 January 2018). "Airdate: SEAL Team. Returning: Law & Order: SVU". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  58. ^ Knox, David (13 December 2017). "Seven picks up UK drama Hard Sun". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  59. ^ Knox, David (31 January 2018). "Airdate: Hard Sun". TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  60. ^ Knox, David (6 February 2018). "Airdate: Celebrity Big Brother (US)". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  61. ^ Knox, David (7 February 2018). "Airdate: Blue Planet II". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  62. ^ Knox, David (20 February 2018). "Airdate: Corporate". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  63. ^ "Repeat prescription! New US medical drama The Resident coming to Seven". Mediaweek. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  64. ^ Knox, David (19 February 2018). "Airdate: The Resident". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  65. ^ "Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's Wellington Paranormal is coming to SBS VICELAND". SBS. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  66. ^ Knox, David (30 January 2018). "Simpsons set for 7mate, MASH to 7TWO". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  67. ^ Knox, David (9 September 2017). "Shaun Micallef reviving Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation -on Nine". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  68. ^ Knox, David (4 July 2018). "Returning: Sports Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  69. ^ Knox, David (13 August 2017). "Russell Coight's All Aussie Adventures pushed to 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  70. ^ Brook, Stephen (9 November 2017). "Network Ten to bring back Blind Date". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  71. ^ a b Knox, David (6 June 2019). "10 confirms Game of Games, Blind Date not returning". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  72. ^ Knox, David (6 July 2018). "Axed: The Checkout". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  73. ^ Knox, David (1 May 2018). "Axed: screenPLAY". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  74. ^ Lallo, Michael (31 October 2018). "Network Ten in 2019: What's new, what's returning, what's gone?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  75. ^ Knox, David (26 January 2018). "Vale: Moya O'Sullivan". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  76. ^ "Jessica Falkholt: Home and Away actress has died, hospital says". BBC News. BBC. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  77. ^ "Soapie star Cathy Godbold dies aged 43". The New Daily. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  78. ^ Carmody, Broede (29 May 2018). "Home and Away star Cornelia Frances dies aged 77". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media.
  79. ^ "Australian TV legend Sam Chisholm dead at 78". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  80. ^ Knox, David (1 December 2018). "Vale: Judy McBurney". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  81. ^ Noyas, Jenny (27 December 2018). "Australian actor Penny Cook dead at 61". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
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