2004 in Australian television

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.
  • 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 Oemecke takes over from Rob Elliott as the show's final original main host.
  • February – Nine launches a new afternoon news service to compete 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.
  • 14 March – Foxtel launches its new digital service, Foxtel Digital.
  • 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 episodes of Law and Order: Criminal Intent.[2] Most other networks follow suit later on.
  • 2 May – American police procedural television series NCIS created by Donald P. Bellisario the creator of JAG debuts on Network Ten.
  • 9 May – American legal drama series JAG switches over to airing on Network Ten as part of an NCIS episode called "Hung Out to Dry" with the appearance of Lieutenant Bud Roberts (Patrick Labyorteaux) after Ten acquired the rights to CBS from the Seven Network. However, the series will air on Seven one last time in October.
  • 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.
  • 26 July – Broken Hill resident Trevor Butler proposes to his girlfriend immediately after winning A$1,000,000 on Big Brother.
  • 24 August – After a short-lived return at its new 11:30 am timeslot, Ten axes vintage Neighbours episodes again after more very bad ratings. The following Monday, Ten extends its morning news into a one-hour format.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 18 December – American science fiction fantasy series Smallville airs on the Nine Network for the very last time before changing broadcasts to Network Ten which won't happen until sometime next year.
  • 23 December – American animated science fiction sitcom Futurama created by Matt Groening the creator of The Simpsons airs on the Seven Network for the very 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 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 ABC 11 February
The Resort Network Ten February
The Hot House Network Ten February
The New Inventors ABC 10 March
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
New MacDonald's Farm Nine Network 11 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
Stanley Seven Network 3 January
Hamtaro Network Ten 26 January
// ¡Mucha Lucha! Nine Network 8 February
Death in Holy Orders ABC 8 February
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law SBS 20 February
Freaky ABC 23 February
The Way Things Work ABC 23 February
The Fairly OddParents ABC 1 March
Boohbah ABC 1 March
Fillmore! Seven Network 6 March
The Basil Brush Show ABC 9 March
Dragon Ball GT Network Ten 15 March
Max and Ruby ABC 22 March
// Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks ABC 29 March
Wide-Eye ABC 29 March
Lilo and Stitch: The Series Seven Network 3 April
Boo! ABC 5 April
Astro Boy (2003) ABC 15 April
Cold Case Nine Network 26 April
NCIS Network Ten 2 May
/ Franny's Feet ABC 3 May
Metalheads ABC 5 May
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002) Network Ten 8 May
Pigeon Boy ABC 10 May
Grim and Evil Nine Network 16 May
The Proud Family Seven Network 5 June
/ Potatoes and Dragons ABC 7 June
Play With Me Sesame ABC 5 July
Zoids: Fuzors Network Ten 17 July
New Tricks ABC 23 July
Transformers: Energon Network Ten 14 August
Bob the Builder: The Knights of Can-a-Lot ABC 16 August
Tutenstein ABC 6 September
/ Sonic X Network Ten 13 September
Duel Masters Network Ten 17 September
Hustle ABC 19 September
Peppa Pig ABC 4 October
Atomic Betty ABC 14 October
Postman Pat (2002) ABC 20 October
Little Britain ABC 21 October
Time Squad Nine Network 2 November
Himalaya with Michael Palin ABC 13 November
Firefly Seven Network 24 November
Powers ABC 26 November
Creature Comforts ABC 2 December
French Leave ABC 3 December
Rose and Maloney ABC 14 December
Beyblade G-Revolution Network Ten 15 December
Any Time Now ABC 30 December
Road Wars Seven Network 2004
Scare Tactics Nine Network 2004
The Handler Network Ten 2004
Threat Matrix Seven Network 2004
There's Something About Miriam Network Ten 2004
Tru Calling Seven Network 2004
Survivor: Vanuatu Nine Network 2004

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

Specials
Program Channel Debut date
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo Seven Network 11 April
2004 Kids' Choice Awards / 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
JAG Network Ten Seven Network 9 May
The O.C. Network Ten Nine Network 22 June
Garfield and Friends FOX8 Nickelodeon 2004
Sailor Moon FOX8 Fox Kids 2004
The Flintstones Boomerang Cartoon Network 2004
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 Operation Good Guys[7][17] UKTV SBS TV 26 April

Television shows

ABC

Seven Network

Nine Network

Network Ten

Ending / Resting this year
DateShowChannelDebut
(2004 – the whole year) Burgo's Catch Phrase Nine Network 1997
(2004 – the whole year) Behind The News ABC 1969
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
DateShowChannel
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. 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. "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. 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. "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.
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