1997 in Australian television

== Events == 6 January – Rob Elliott takes over as host of Wheel of Fortune, after last year's attempt with Tony Barber as host turned to be unsuccessful. The program starts the year without Adriana Xenides, who takes a long-term leave due to ill health. She would return to the puzzleboard in July. Her place is filled by Kerrie Friend. After being absent throughout 1996, due in part to hosting Family Feud, John Deeks returns as announcer – the position had been held by David Day in Adelaide, and by Ron E Sparks in Sydney. 3 February – Australian drama serial Heartbreak High moves to ABC at 6:00 pm from Monday to Thursdays. 9 February – The 1993 film The Pelican Brief, starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington, premieres on the Nine Network. 31 March – The game show Burgo's Catch Phrase, hosted by John Burgess, starts screening on Nine Network. 13 June – The children's television series Bananas in Pyjamas appears for the first time in Singapore on Channel 5. 26 June – British sitcom Mr. Bean, starring Rowan Atkinson as the titular character, switches over to the Seven Network, a year after finishing up on the ABC. 29 June – The 1993 film In the Line of Fire, starring Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich, premieres on the Nine Network. 1 July – Prime Television comes to Mildura, ending a monopoly on commercial television held by STV-8 since 1965. 8 July – The ownership of Australia Television International moves from ABC to Seven Network. 8 July – The American animated series Hey Arnold! makes its debut on ABC. 11 July – The American-Canadian children's animated series Arthur debuts on ABC. The series is still broadcast on ABC Kids as of 2022. 4 August – Judge Judy makes its debut on Network Ten. 1 September – The Adventures of Lano and Woodley, starring comedians Colin Lane and Frank Woodley, premieres on the ABC. 6 September – The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales is broadcast live on the ABC and all of the commercial free-to-air television channels. September – Jo Beth Taylor resigns as host of Australia's Funniest Home Video Show. She is replaced by Catriona Rowntree for a month, before Kim Kilbey takes over at the start of 1998. 22 September – A reboot of the sitcom Kingswood Country called Bullpitt!, starring Ross Higgins as Ted Bullpitt, airs on Seven Network. 11 October – In Neighbours, Helen Daniels dies in her sleep at a family get together. Anne Haddy, who is the last of the original 1985 cast members departs the series. She died two years later after a long illness. 12 October – American sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond debuts on the Seven Network. 1 November – TCN-9 stages the first trial of digital television in the Southern Hemisphere. 16 November – The 1994 Film Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, premieres on the Nine Network. 23 November – American animated comedy series King of the Hill debuts on the Seven Network at 7:30 pm. 3 December – American supernatural fiction, fantasy, action, horror series Buffy the Vampire Slayer debuts on the Seven Network. 20 December – American animated comedy series South Park debuts on SBS. It also became the network's highest rating series to date. December – Prime Television acquires the rights to Canal 9 in Argentina. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is televised for the first time on commercial television. === Channels === ==== New channels ==== 1 June – Ovation Channel 1 July – Odyssey Channel 1 September – The LifeStyle Channel 7 September – Movie Extra ==== Rebranded channels ==== 20 March – MTV Australia (was ARC Music Channel) 18 April – Channel V Australia (was Red) 7 September – Movie One (was The Movie Network) == Debuts == === Domestic === === International === == Subscription television == === Domestic === === International === === 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 === ==== International ==== === Changes to network affiliation === This is a list of programs which made their premiere on an Australian television network that had 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 having premiered 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 ==== ==== International ==== == Television shows == ABC Mr. Squiggle and Friends (1959–1999) Four Corners (1961–present) Seven Network Wheel of Fortune (1981–1996, 1996–2003, 2004–2008) Home and Away (1988–present) Blue Heelers (1994–2006) The Great Outdoors (1993–present) Today Tonight (1995–present) Nine Network Today (1982–present) Sale of the Century (1980–2001) A Current Affair (1971–1978, 1988–present) Hey Hey It's Saturday (1971–1999) Midday (1985–1998) 60 Minutes (1979–present) Australia's Funniest Home Video Show (1990–2000, 2000–2004, 2005–present) The AFL Footy Show (1994–present) The NRL Footy Show (1994–present) Water Rats (1996–2001) Burgo's Catch Phrase (1997–2001, 2002–2003) The Price is Right (1993–1998, 2003–2005, 2012) Network Ten Neighbours (Seven Network 1985, Network Ten 1986–present) GMA with Bert Newton (1991–2005) == Ending / resting this year == == See also == 1997 in Australia List of Australian films of 1997 == References ==