2002 in Australian television

Events
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 1 July – Peter Corbett wins the second season of Big Brother.
  • 2 July – American science fiction fantasy series Smallville premieres on the Nine Network.
  • 26 July – Mixy ends after 4-year run and it will be replaced by children's weekday morning and afternoon blocks on the ABC.
  • 6 August – Eddie McGuire and Catriona Rowntree present an all new IQ test television series called Test Australia: The National IQ Test which is airing on Nine Network. It has also been ranked as the most watched television show for 2002 in Australia.
  • 12 August – After being cancelled in 2001, Burgo's Catch Phrase relaunches on the Nine Network and is a surprise hit, with new graphics, new theme music and new prizes with the contestant backdrop increased to three people with the game show been produced by Grundy Television, leading into Nine's most-watched 6pm news bulletin.
    • TV and radio personality Dylan Lewis is voted winner of Celebrity Big Brother.
  • September – SBS launches its first Digital channel, the SBS World News Channel.
  • 1 September – The Nine Network undergoes a revamp to change their on-air graphics, including changing their dots back to spears as well as the numeral becoming 3D for the colour-coded days.
  • 30 September – The Wiggles return to television with a brand new television series called Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles! airing for the first time ever on ABC.
  • 4 October – Beyblade premieres on Fox Kids and two weeks later on Network Ten as part of Cheez TV. Also that day, David Koch takes over from Chris Reason as co-host of Sunrise, a role which he still holds as of today.[1]
  • 29 November – Brian Henderson retires from reading Sydney's National Nine News after four decades. He is replaced the following Monday by Jim Waley, who manages to keep the bulletin on top of the ratings in Sydney for the next two years.[2]

Channels

New channels

Defunct channels

Premieres

Domestic series
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
Bad Cop, Bad Cop ABC TV 18 November
Kerri Anne Nine Network 28 November

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

Subscription television
Domestic
Program Channel Debut date
A Day in the Life[7] Arena 20 February
International
Program Channel Debut date
Osbournes, The The Osbournes[8] MTV 4 April
Shinzo Fox Kids 8 April
Time Squad Time Squad[9] Cartoon Network 3 May
Justice League Justice League[9] Cartoon Network 8 June
// The Cramp Twins Cartoon Network 1 July
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius[10] Nickelodeon 26 July
Zoids: Chaotic Century Zoids: Chaotic Century[11] Cartoon Network 2 September
Beyblade Fox Kids 4 October
Story of Tracy Beaker, The The Story of Tracy Beaker[12] Nickelodeon 18 October
Fun at the Funeral Parlor[13] UKTV 22 October
Anna Nicole Show, The The Anna Nicole Show[14] Arena 5 November
Lenny Henry in Pieces[15] UKTV 9 November
Yu-Gi-Oh! Nickelodeon 2002
The Fairly OddParents! Nickelodeon 2002
Invader Zim Nickelodeon 2002
Kim Possible Disney Channel 2002

Specials
Program Channel Debut date
2002 Country Music Association Awards[15] Main Event 7 November

Free-to-air premieres

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
Program Free-to-air network Subscription network Date
The Osbournes [16][17] Network Ten MTV 1 July

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

International
Program Subscription network Free-to-air network Date
/ The Saddle Club Fox Kids ABC TV 2002
Saved by the Bell: The College Years Saved by the Bell: The College Years[12] Nickelodeon Seven Network 5 October
Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action! Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action![12] Nickelodeon 14 October

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.

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

Ending / Resting this year
DateShowChannelDebut
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
gollark: So if I release 50 updates a second I'm guaranteed 2500 KST-Hz? Great!
gollark: What if I release 18257 updates a second with trivial changes?
gollark: Interesting.
gollark: Do you know just how easily distracted I am?
gollark: What if I get bored and never write updates?

See also

References
  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. "Day in the life reveals sweet surprises". Herald Sun. Melbourne, Australia: News Limited. 17 February 2002. p. X03.
  8. 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.
  9. "Toon Watch". Toon HQ. Cartoon Network (Australia) (1): 6. 2002.
  10. "What's New On Nick? – July / August 2002". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2002. Archived from the original on 4 August 2002. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  11. "Toon Watch". Toon HQ. Cartoon Network (Australia) (2): 5. 2002.
  12. "What's New On Nick? – July / August 2002". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2002. Archived from the original on 4 December 2002. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  13. "UKTV Highlights". UKTV (Australia and New Zealand). 2002. Archived from the original on 19 October 2002. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  14. Miller, Kylie (30 October 2003). "NETWORKING". The Age Green Guide. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 12. Retrieved 14 January 2010.
  15. "FOXTEL Highlights (General Entertainment)". Foxtel. Archived from the original on 6 November 2002. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  16. Melloy, Neil (22 June 2002). "Ozzy-speak defies bleeper". Courier Mail. Brisbane, Australia: News Limited. p. 18.
  17. Farrer, Gordon (28 June 2002). "Unholy and mundane". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Limited. p. 17. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
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