2004 in Australian television

Overview of the events of 2004 in Australian television
List of years in Australian television
  • … 1994
  • 1995
  • 1996
  • 1997
  • 1998
  • 1999
  • 2000
  • 2001
  • 2002
  • 2003
  • 2004
  • 2005
  • 2006
  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
+...

Events

  • 1 January – Australia's first Digital commercial free-to-air channel, Tasmanian Digital Television begins broadcasting in Hobart as a supplementary broadcaster to existing broadcasters Southern Cross Tasmania & WIN Television. On the same day, WIN TEN goes on air in the Mount Gambier & Riverland regions of South Australia as a supplementary broadcaster to existing solus broadcaster WIN Television.
  • February – Nine launches a new afternoon news service to complete against Seven's 4:30 pm news, which was launched the previous year to provide viewers with up-to-date information on the War on Iraq.
  • 1 February – Deal or No Deal debuts its 5.30pm timeslot on Seven which would last until 2015. This proves to be a massive ratings hit, leading into Seven's 6pm news bulletin. Its success proves too much for the Nine Network, with reworked game shows including The Price is Right, Bert's Family Feud and Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune all failing in the dreaded 5:30pm timeslot until Hot Seat's arrival in 2009.
  • 2 February – Top-rating game show Wheel of Fortune makes a rebranding and a super new-look over to continue its long-run. Also, Steve Oemcke takes over from Rob Elliott as the show's final original main host.
  • 14 March – Foxtel launches its new digital service, Foxtel Digital.
  • 5 April – Neighbours returns to air on American television with Oxygen broadcasting the series.
  • 12 April – The Australian television series New MacDonald's Farm premieres on the Nine Network
  • 18 April - Rove McManus wins the 2004 TV WEEK Gold Logie.
  • 21 April - A live episode of Blue Heelers goes to air on the Seven Network, titled "Reasonable Doubt". Although this particular episode earned reasonable ratings, peaking with 693,000 viewers in Melbourne, the rest of the season is a failure ratings-wise.[1]
  • 1 May – Network Ten breaks with years of tradition and abandons the Sunday night movie after poor ratings. Instead, it screens some episodes of Law and Order: Criminal Intent.[2] Most other networks follow suit later on.
  • 12 May – After 18 years at SBS, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton resign from the station to move to the ABC to present a new program, At the Movies. Four younger presenters replace them on The Movie Show: Megan Spencer, Fenella Kernebone and Jaimie Leonarder, with Marc Fennell presenting a segment on newly released DVDs.[2]
  • 17 June, 5:58pm – Dean Cartechini becomes the first person to win Deal or No Deal's top prize, winning $200,000.
  • 28 June – The Price is Right moves to the 5:00 pm timeslot on the Nine Network. The show extends to one hour.
  • 26 July – Broken Hill resident Trevor Butler proposes to his girlfriend immediately after winning A$1,000,000 on Big Brother.
  • 13 August – After a short-lived return at its new 11:30 am timeslot, Ten axes vintage Neighbours episodes again after more very bad ratings.
  • 16 August – Ten extends its morning news into a one-hour format.
  • 29 August – The Nine Network launches a new look version of the colour-coded days ident will be shown, again placing focus on the slogan “Still the One”.
  • 30 August – Immediately after the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympics, the first ever Sunrise is broadcast from the Seven Network's new Martin Place studios. On the same night, Seven News relaunches nationwide with a complete overhaul of graphics, a new musical theme (unchanged until 1 February 2016) and a new set in Sydney. Nine News counters by introducing live CBD backdrops on its Sydney and Brisbane bulletins.
  • 12 September – The 2001 war film Behind Enemy Lines starring Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman premieres on the Seven Network.
  • 4 October – British long running children's animated series Peppa Pig debuts on ABC.
  • 5 October – After a five-year absence, Daryl Somers returns to television to host a brand new series on Seven Network called Dancing with the Stars based on the American light entertainment reality series of the same name.
  • 13 October – The Australian version of Border Security premieres on the Seven Network and is shown every Wednesday at 9:30 pm.
  • 21 November – 16-year-old Casey Donovan wins the second series of Australian Idol defeating 21-year-old favourite, Anthony Callea. Her debut single "Listen with Your Heart" reaches number one in the ARIA Charts in December 2004.
  • 23 November – Home and Away actress Bec Cartwright and her partner Michael Miziner are crowned season champions as the first season of Dancing with the Stars reaches its grand final.
  • 11 December – The Network Ten is the next Australian television network to introduce a watermark on its programs, although the watermark is now broadcast on Ten News. It was located on the bottom left of the screens before switching to bottom right in 2006.
  • 14 December – The final episode of Stingers goes to air on the Nine Network and the show was axed after six years.
  • 23 December – American animated science fiction sitcom Futurama created by Matt Groening the creator of The Simpsons airs on the Seven Network for the last time before changing broadcasts to Network Ten which won't happen until the end of next year.
  • December – Seven, Nine & TEN withdrawn their opening to movies - movie openers are replaced by classification boards instead.
  • Wheel of Fortune's attempt for a major revamp backfires and is quietly cancelled due to low ratings - leaving Deal or No Deal the absolute only game show remaining, leading into Seven's 6pm news bulletin.
  • December – The Nine Network claims the ratings season for the fourth consecutive year, winning 38 out of 40 weeks, while Network Ten (which wins the other two weeks) finishes ahead of the Seven Network nationally for the first time.[3]

Debuts

Program Channel Debut date
Fergus McPhail Network Ten 2 January
Surfing the Menu [1] ABC 14 January
My Restaurant Rules [2] Seven Network 1 February
Deal Or No Deal [2] Seven Network 1 February
ttn Network Ten 3 February
Fireflies ABC 7 February
The Einstein Factor ABC 8 February
Strictly Dancing [2] ABC 11 February
The Resort Network Ten February
The Hot House Network Ten February
The New Inventors ABC 10 March
New MacDonald's Farm Nine Network 12 April
Coxy's Big Break Seven Network 17 April
At the Movies ABC 1 July
Wicked Science Network Ten 2 July
Parallax Nine Network 5 August
John Safran vs God SBS 30 August
Dancing with the Stars [2] Seven Network 5 October
The Cooks Network Ten 18 October
Foreign Exchange Nine Network 5 November

Pay TV

Program Channel Debut date
Cooking for Kids with Luis Nick Jr. 25 October
Love My Way [2] FOX8 22 November

New International Programming

Program Channel Debut date
United States Stanley Seven Network 3 January
Japan Hamtaro Network Ten 26 January
United States NCIS Network Ten February
United States/Mexico/Canada ¡Mucha Lucha! Nine Network 8 February
United Kingdom Death in Holy Orders ABC 8 February
United States Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law SBS 20 February
New Zealand Freaky ABC 23 February
United Kingdom The Way Things Work ABC 23 February
United States The Fairly OddParents ABC 1 March
United Kingdom Boohbah ABC 1 March
United States Fillmore! Seven Network 6 March
United Kingdom The Basil Brush Show ABC 9 March
Japan Dragon Ball GT Network Ten 15 March
Canada Max and Ruby ABC 22 March
United Kingdom/United States/Republic of Ireland Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks ABC 29 March
United Kingdom Wide-Eye ABC 29 March
United States Lilo & Stitch: The Series Seven Network 3 April
United Kingdom Boo! ABC 5 April
Japan Astro Boy (2003) ABC 15 April
Canada/United States/United Kingdom Franny's Feet ABC 3 May
United Kingdom Metalheads ABC 5 May
United States He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002) Network Ten 8 May
France Pigeon Boy ABC 10 May
United States Grim and Evil Nine Network 16 May
United States The Proud Family Seven Network 5 June
France/Canada Potatoes and Dragons ABC 7 June
United States Play With Me Sesame ABC 5 July
Japan Zoids: Fuzors Network Ten 17 July
United Kingdom New Tricks ABC 23 July
Japan Transformers: Energon Network Ten 14 August
United Kingdom Bob the Builder: The Knights of Can-a-Lot ABC 16 August
United States Tutenstein ABC 6 September
United States Cold Case Nine Network 7 September
United States/Japan Sonic X Network Ten 13 September
Japan Duel Masters Network Ten 17 September
United Kingdom Hustle ABC 19 September
United Kingdom Peppa Pig ABC 4 October
Canada Atomic Betty ABC 14 October
United Kingdom Postman Pat (2002) ABC 20 October
United Kingdom Little Britain ABC 21 October
United States Time Squad Nine Network 2 November
United Kingdom Himalaya with Michael Palin ABC 13 November
United States Firefly Seven Network 24 November
United Kingdom Powers ABC 26 November
United Kingdom Creature Comforts ABC 2 December
United Kingdom French Leave ABC 3 December
United Kingdom Rose and Maloney ABC 14 December
Japan Beyblade G-Revolution Network Ten 15 December
Republic of Ireland Any Time Now ABC 30 December
Australia/Canada The Eggs Nine Network 2004
United Kingdom Road Wars Seven Network 2004
United States Scare Tactics Nine Network 2004
United States The Handler Network Ten 2004
United States Threat Matrix Seven Network 2004
United States Two and a Half Men Nine Network 2004
United Kingdom There's Something About Miriam Network Ten 2004
United States Tru Calling Seven Network 2004
United States Jay Jay the Jet Plane Nine Network 2004
United States Survivor: Vanuatu Nine Network 2004

Subscription Television

Program Channel Debut date
All Grown Up! United States All Grown Up![4] Nickelodeon February
ChalkZone United States ChalkZone[5] Nickelodeon Q2
Stuart Little: The Animated Series United States Stuart Little: The Animated Series[5] Nickelodeon Q2
United States Duck Dodgers [6] Cartoon Network 10 April
Cassidys, The United Kingdom The Cassidys [7] UKTV 26 April
My Dad the Rock Star Canada My Dad the Rock Star[5] Nickelodeon 27 April
Romeo! United States Romeo![5] Nickelodeon 31 May
United States Pimp My Ride [8][9] MTV Australia 2 July
Drake & Josh United States Drake & Josh[10] Nickelodeon August
Martin Mystery Canada/France Martin Mystery[10] Nickelodeon August
Ashlee Simpson Show, TheUnited States The Ashlee Simpson Show[11] MTV Australia 5 August
United States Dr. 90210 [12] E! 12 September
United States Phil of the Future[13] Disney Channel 20 September
United States Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Cartoon Network 24 September
Assistant, TheUnited States The Assistant[14] MTV Australia October
United States Maybe It's Me[15] Nickelodeon 14 October
United States Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County[16] MTV Australia 2 December

Specials

Program Channel Debut date
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo United States Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo Seven Network 11 April
2004 Kids' Choice Awards Australia/United States 2004 Kids' Choice Awards[10] Nickelodeon 25 September

Programming Changes

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

Program New network Previous network Date
United States The O.C. Network Ten Nine Network 22 June
United States Garfield and Friends FOX8 Nickelodeon 2004
Japan Sailor Moon FOX8 Fox Kids 2004
United States The Flintstones Boomerang Cartoon Network 2004
United States Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Boomerang Cartoon Network 2004

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.

International

Program Subscription network Free-to-air network Date
Operation Good Guys United Kingdom Operation Good Guys[7][17] UKTV SBS TV 26 April

Television shows

ABC

  • Four Corners (1961–present)
  • The Fat (2000–2003)
  • Kath & Kim (2002–2005, 2007)
  • The Glass House (2001–2006)

Seven Network

  • Wheel of Fortune (1981–1996, 1996–2003, 2004–present)
  • Sunrise (1991–1998, 2003–present)
  • Home and Away (1988–2005, 2005–present)
  • Blue Heelers (1994–2006)
  • Today Tonight (1995–present)
  • All Saints (1998–present)
  • Ground Force (1999–2004)
  • AMV (2000–present)
  • The Big Arvo (2001–2004)
  • Deal or No Deal (2003, 2004–present)

Nine Network

Network Ten

  • Neighbours (1985–1989, 1989–present)
  • Good Morning Australia (1991–2005)
  • Rove Live (2000–2006)
  • Australian Idol (2003–present)

Ending / Resting this year

Date Show Channel Debut
(2004 – the whole year) Behind The News ABC 1969
27 February Burgo's Catch Phrase Nine Network 1997
28 July Skithouse Network Ten 2003
24 November The Panel Network Ten 1998
26 November Burke's Backyard Nine Network 1987
14 December Stingers Nine Network 1998

Revamping this year

Date Show Channel
February Wheel of Fortune Seven Network

TV movies

Miniseries

See also

References

  1. ^ "Live Heelers bang on". Herald Sun. Australian Television. 23 April 2004. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Idato, Michael: Aches and gains, The Age, 30 December 2004.
  3. ^ Warneke, Ross (2 December 2004). "Nine wins year again". The Age.
  4. ^ "What's New on Nick? – IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL WITH NICK!". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2004. Archived from the original on 18 February 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d "What's New on Nick? – Term 2". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2004. Archived from the original on 5 June 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  6. ^ "Highlights (Kids & Family)". Foxtel. Archived from the original on 1 April 2004. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
  7. ^ a b Bellman, Annmaree (22 April 2004). "PAY TV – Monday". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 24.
  8. ^ Frilingos, Matt (30 June 2004). "Be the bling of the road - PREVIEWS". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney, Australia: News Limited. p. T10.
  9. ^ "Xzibit A: the custom car". The Gold Coast Bulletin. Gold Coast, Queensland: News Limited. 1 July 2004. p. T03.
  10. ^ a b c "What's New on Nick? – Term 3". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2004. Archived from the original on 4 August 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  11. ^ "McCabe". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney, Australia: News Limited. 30 June 2004. p. T13.
  12. ^ Bellman, Annmaree (9 September 2004). "PAY TV – Sunday". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 22.
  13. ^ Bellman, Annmaree (16 September 2004). "PAY TV – Monday". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 24.
  14. ^ "the hit list nine things we love this week". The Herald Sun. Melbourne, Australia: News Limited. 21 October 2004. p. IO2.
  15. ^ Bellman, Annmaree (14 October 2004). "PAY TV". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 28.
  16. ^ "Orange county". The Gold Coast Bulletin. Gold Coast, Queensland: News Limited. 25 November 2004. p. 4. Reality drama, Laguna Beach launches on Thursday, December 2.
  17. ^ Oliver, Robin (26 October 1998). "THUMBS". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 25.